Advantages and Versatility of Fluorescence-Based Methodology to Characterize the Functionality of LDLR and Class Mutation Assignment

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common autosomal codominant disease with a frequency of 1:500 individuals in its heterozygous form. The genetic basis of FH is most commonly mutations within the LDLR gene. Assessing the pathogenicity of LDLR variants is particularly important to give a patient a definitive diagnosis of FH. Current studies of LDLR activity ex vivo are based on the analysis of I-125-labeled lipoproteins (reference method) or fluorescent-labelled LDL. The main purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of these two methods to assess LDLR functionality in order to validate a functional assay to analyse LDLR mutations. LDLR activity of different variants has been studied by flow cytometry using FITC-labelled LDL and compared with studies performed previously with I-125-labeled lipoproteins. Flow cytometry results are in full agreement with the data obtained by the I-125 methodology. Additionally confocal microscopy allowed the assignment of different class mutation to the variants assayed. Use of fluorescence yielded similar results than I-125-labeled lipoproteins concerning LDLR activity determination, and also allows class mutation classification. The use of FITC-labelled LDL is easier in handling and disposal, cheaper than radioactivity and can be routinely performed by any group doing LDLR functional validations.

Three-photon absorption-induced fluorescence and optical limiting effects in a fluorene derivative

This paper reports on the steady-state fluorescence, three- photon absorption-induced fluorescence emission and subsequently induced optical limiting behaviour of a fluorene derivative with D-pi-D structural motifs. The lifetime of the steady-state fluorescence is 0.903 ns. Large optical limiting behaviour induced by 3PA has also been demonstrated, and the nonlinear absorption coefficient gamma derived from 3PA fitting curves is 5.92 x 10(-20) cm(3)/W-2 and the corresponding molecular 3PA cross-section sigma(3)' is 1.14 x 10(-76) cm(6) s(2).

Measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air by fluorescence spectroscopic techniques

250 p. + anexos

The impact of the great recession on employment polarization in Spain

This article analyzes changes in the occupational employment share in Spain for the period 1997-2012 and the way particular sociodemographic groups adapt to those changes. There seems to be clear evidence of employment polarization between 1997 and 2012 that accelerates over the recession. Changes in the composition of the labour supply cannot explain the increase in the share of occupations at the low end of the wage distribution. Sector reallocation may have partially contributed to explain the polarization process in Spain during the years of expansion (1997-2007) but it is a minor factor during the recession. The polarization of occupations within sectors observed, especially during the recession, appears to be related to a decline in routine tasks which is compensated by an increase in occupations with non-routine service contents, which are found both in the low and high end of the wage distribution. Instead, jobs with a higher degree of abstract contents do not appear to increase their share in total employment during these 15 years. The paper finds that this process has affected males more strongly than females because of their higher concentration in occupations more focused on routine tasks. Among males, for workers under 30 years old, we find a decrease in the share of occupations with more routine tasks which turns into increases in those with more abstract content and particularly with more non-routine service content. Instead, male workers over 30 years old seem to remain in declining occupations to a greater extent. Females of different ages are not affected by the abovementioned changes.

Spectroscopic properties of neodymium doped high silica glass and aluminum codoping effects on the enhancement of fluorescence emission

Nd3+ -codoped and Al3+-Nd3+-codoped high silica glasses have been prepared by sintering nanoporous glasses impregnated with Nd3+ stop and Al3+ ions. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Omega(2,4,6) of Nd3+-doped high silica glasses were obtained and used to analyze aluminum codoping effects. Fluorescence properties of Nd3+-doped high silica glasses strongly depend on the Al3+ concentration. While Nd3+ ion absorption and emission intensities of obviously increase when aluminum is added to Nd3+-doped high silica glasses, fluorescence lifetimes decrease and aluminum codoping has almost no influence on the radiative quantum efficiencies. This indicates that aluminum codoping is responsible for an anti-quenching effect through a local modification of rare-earth environments rather than through physical cluster dispersion.

New transparent Er3+-doped oxyfluoride tellurite glass ceramic with improved near infrared and up-conversion fluorescence properties

Transparent glass ceramics have been obtained by nucleation and growth of Y2Te6O15 or Er2Te5O13 cubic phase in a new Er3+-doped oxyfluoride tellurite glass. Effect of beat treatment on absorption spectra, luminescence and up-conversion properties in the oxyfluoride tellurite glass has been investigated. With heat treatment the ultraviolet absorption edge red shifted evidently for the oxyfluoride telluride glass. The near infrared emission that corresponds to Er3+:I-4(13/2)-> I-4(15/2) can be significantly enhanced after heat treatment. Under 980 nm LD pumping, red and green up-conversion intensity of Er3+ in the glass ceramic can be observed much stronger than that in the base glass. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Analysis on fluorescence intensity reverse photonic phenomenon between red and green fluorescence of oxyfluoride nanophase vitroceramics

An interesting fluorescence intensity reverse photonic phenomenon between red and green fluorescence is investigated. The dynamic range. of intensity reverse between red and green fluorescence of Er( 0.5) Yb( 3): FOV oxyfluoride nanophase vitroceramics, when excited by 378.5nm and 522.5nm light respectively, is about 4.32 x 10(2). It is calculated that the phonon- assistant energy transfer rate of the electric multi- dipole interaction of {(4)G(11/2)( Er3+) -> F-4(9/2)( Er3+), F-2(7/2)( Yb3+). F-2(5/2)( Yb3+)} energy transfer of Er( 0.5) Yb( 3): FOV is around 1.380 x 10(8) s(-1), which is much larger than the relative multiphonon nonradiative relaxation rates 3.20 x 10(5) s(-1). That energy transfer rate for general material with same rare earth ion's concentration is about 1.194 x 10(5) s(-1). These are the reason to emerge the unusual intensity reverse phenomenon in Er( 0.5) Yb( 3): FOV. (C) 2007 Optical Society of America.

不同玻璃组分对掺铒碲酸盐玻璃 光谱性质的影响

Series of tellurite glasses were prepared by traditional melting method, the glass composition were changed and the different effects of glass modifier oxides(alkali metals and alkaline earth metal oxides) and glass intermediate (Y2O3, GeO2, Nb2O5, WO3) on the optical and spectroscopic properties of Er³⁺ doped tellurite glass were researched and compared. The infrared transmitting spectra, absorption spectra and fluorescence spectra were tested, the results showed that Nb2O5 and WO3 in the glass act as part of the body's role in the formation of the network, caused the reduction of transmitting range in infrared wavelength, which decrease the transmitting properties of tellurite glass. The introduction of high valence cationic ions, WO3 especially, can increase the FWHM of Er³⁺ for the increased polarization effect. With the decreasing of cationic field of glass modifier ions, the ion filed of the environment around Er³⁺ increased, subsequently, the role of ligand field polarization effect reduced, which makes the luminescence lifetime increase, and on the contrary the FWHM decrease monotonously.

Intense frequency upconversion fluorescence of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped lithium-strontium-lead-bismuth glasses

Infrared-to-visible upconversion fluorescence of Er(3+)/Yb(3+) co-doped lithium-strontium-lead-bismuth (LSPB) glasses for developing potential upconversion lasers has been studied under 975-nm excitation. Based on the results of energy transfer efficiency and upconversion spectra, the optimal Yb(3+)-Er(3+) concentration ratio is found to be 5:1. Intense green and red emissions centered at 525, 546, and 657 nm, corresponding to the transitions 2H_(11/2)-->4I_(15/2), 4S_(3/2)-->4I_(15/2), and 4F_(9/2)-->4I_(15/2), respectively, were observed. The quadratic dependence of the 525-, 546-, and 657-nm emissions on excitation power indicates that a two-photon absorption process occurs under 975-nm excitation. The high-populated 4I_(11/2) level is supposed to serve as the intermediate state responsible for the upconversion processes. The intense upconversion luminescence of Er(3+)/Yb(3+) co-doped LSPB glasses may be a potentially useful material for developing upconversion optical devices.

Effect of oxygen substitution by halide ions on structure, thermal stability and upconversion fluorescence in Er3(+)/Yb3(+)-codoped germanium-bismuth glasses

For the first time. effect of halide ions (F-, Cl-, Br-, and I-) introduction on structure, thermal stability, and upconversion fluorescence in Er3+/Yb3+-codoped oxide-halide germanium-bismuth glasses has been systematically investigated. The results show that halide ions modified germanium-bismuth glasses have lower maximum phonon energy and phonon density, worse thermal stability. longer measured lifetimes of I-4(l1/2) level, and stronger upconversion emission than germanium-bismuth glass. All these results indicate that halide ions play an important role in the formation of glass network, and have an important influence on the upconversion luminescence. The possible upconversion mechanisms of Er3+ ion are also evaluated. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of F- ions on emission cross-section and fluorescence lifetime of Yb3+-doped tellurite glasses

The effects of F- ions in Yb3+-doped tellurite glass systems on the emission cross-section and measured fluorescence lifetime are investigated. The results show that both the emission cross-section and the fluorescence lifetime of Yb3+ ions increase from 1.32 to 1.39 pm(2) and from 0.93 to 1.12 ms respectively with the increase of F- ions from 0 to 10 mol% and that such oxyfluoride tellurite glass system is a promising laser host matrix for high power generation. FT-IR spectra were used to analyze the effect of F- ions on the structure of tellurite glasses and the change of OH- groups in this glass system. Analysis demonstrates that the addition of fluoride decreases the symmetry of the structure of tellurite glasses resulting in increasing of the emission cross-section and removes the OH- groups resulting in increasing of the measured fluorescence lifetime of Yb3+ ions. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fluorescence lifetime increasing with F- ions into ytterbium-doped germanium-lead-tellurite glasses

The effects of F- ions in a germanium-lead-tellurite glass system oil the spectral and potential laser properties of the Yb3+ are investigated. The absorption spectra, lifetimes, the emission cross-sections and the minimum pump intensities of the glass system with and without F- ions have been measured and calculated. The results show that the fluorescence lifetime and the minimum pump intensity of Yb3+ ions increase evidently, which indicates that germanium lead-oxyfluoride tellurite glass is a promising laser host matrix for high power generation. FT-IR spectra were used to analyse the effect of F- ions on OH- groups in this glass system. Analysis demonstrates that addition of fluoride removes the OH- groups and results in improvement of fluorescence lifetime of Yb3+.

Intense frequency upconversion fluorescence emission of Er3+/Yb3+-codoped oxychloride germanate glass

Structural and frequency upconversion fluorescence properties of Er3+/Yb3+-codoped oxychloride germanate glasses have been investigated. The Raman spectrum investigation indicates that PbCl2 plays an important role in the formation of glass network and has an important influence on the upconversion luminescence. Intense green and red emissions centered at 525, 546 and 657 nm, corresponding to the transitions H-2(11/2) -> I-4(15/2), S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2) and F-4(9/2) -> I-4(15/2), respectively, were observed at room temperature. The possible upconversion mechanism was also estimated and evaluated. Intense upconversion luminescence indicates that Er3+/Yb3+-codoped oxychloride germanate glass is a promising laser material. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Infrared-to-visible upconversion fluorescence of Er3+-doped novel lithium-barium-lead-bismuth glass

Er3+-doped lithium-barium-lead-bismuth glass for developing upconversion lasers has been fabricated and characterized. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Omega(t) (t = 2, 4, 6), calculated based on the experimental absorption spectrum and Judd-Ofelt theory, were found to be Omega(2) = 3.05 x 10(-20) cm(2), Omega(4) = 0.95 x 10(-20) cm(2), and Omega(6) = 0.39 x 10(-20) cm(2). Under 975 nm excitation, intense green and red emissions centered at 525, 546, and 657 nm, corresponding to the transitions H-2(11/2) -> I-4(15/2), S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2), and F-4(9/2) -> I-4(15/2), respectively, were observed at room temperature. The upconversion mechanisms are discussed based on the energy matching and quadratic dependence on excitation power, and the dominant mechanisms are excited state absorption and energy transfer upconversion for the green and red emissions. The long-lived I-4(11/2) level is supposed to serve as the intermediate state responsible for the intense upconversion processes. The intense upconversion luminescence of Er3+-doped lithium-barium-lead-bismuth glass may be a potentially useful material for developing upconversion optical devices. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Upconversion fluorescence property of Er3+/Yb3+-codoped novel bismuth-germanium glass

Infrared-to-visible upconversion fluorescence property of Er3+/Yb3+ codoped novel bismuth-germanium glass under 975 nm LD excitation has been studied. Intense green and red emissions centered at 525, 546 and 657 nm, corresponding to the transitions H-2(11/2) -> I-4(15/2), S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2), and F-4(9/2) -> I-4(15/2), respectively, were observed at room temperature. The quadratic dependence of the 525, 546 and 657 nm emissions on excitation power indicates that a two-photon absorption process occurs. The structure of the bismuth-germanium glass has been investigated by peak-deconvolution of FT-Raman spectrum, and the structural information was obtained from the peak wavenumbers. This novel bismuth-germanium glass with low maximum phonon energy (similar to 750 cm(-1)) can be used as potential host material for upconversion lasers. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.