We studied the distributions of interneurons containing the calcium‐binding proteins parvalbumin and calbindin D‐28k, as well as that of pyramidal neurons containing nonphosphorylated neurofilament (NNF), in the middle temporal visual area (MT) of marmoset monkeys. The distributions of these classes of cells in MT are distinct from those found in adjacent areas. Similar to the primary visual area (V1), in MT, calbindin‐immunopositive neurons can be objectively classified into “dark” and “light” subtypes based on optical density of stained cell bodies. Calbindin‐positive dark neurons are particularly concentrated in layers 2 and 3, whereas light neurons have a more widespread distribution. In addition, a subcategory of calbindin‐positive dark neuron, characterized by a “halo” of stained processes surrounding the cell body, is found within and around layer 4 of MT and V1. These cells are rare in most other visual areas. In comparison, parvalbumin‐immunopositive cells in area MT have a relatively homogeneous distribution, although with a trend toward higher spatial density in lower layer 3, and are relatively uniform in terms of density of staining. Finally, MT shows a characteristic trilaminar distribution of NNF‐immunopositive pyramidal cells, with stained cell bodies evident in layers 3, 5, and 6. Although the laminar distribution of cells stained for the three markers overlap to some extent, these subcategories can be readily distinguished in terms of morphology, including cell body size. Chemoarchitectural parallels observed between MT and V1 suggest comparable physiological requirements and neuronal circuitry. J. Comp. Neurol. 500:832–849, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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The combination of two-photon microscopy (TPM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) is useful in conducting in-vivo tissue studies, because they provide complementary information regarding tissues. In the present study, we developed a new combined system using separate light sources and scanners for individually optimal imaging conditions. TPM used a Ti-Sapphire laser and provided molecular and cellular information in microscopic tissue regions. Meanwhile, OCT used a wavelength-swept source centered at 1300 nm and provided structural information in larger tissue regions than TPM. The system was designed to do simultaneous imaging by combining light from both sources. TPM and OCT had the field of view values of 300 μm and 800 μm on one side respectively with a 20x objective. TPM had resolutions of 0.47 μm and 2.5 μm in the lateral and axial directions respectively, and an imaging speed of 40 frames/s. OCT had resolutions of 5 μm and 8 μm in lateral and axial directions respectively, a sensitivity of 97dB, and an imaging speed of 0.8 volumes per second. This combined system was tested with simple microsphere specimens, and was then applied to image small intestine and ear tissues of mouse models ex-vivo. Molecular, cellular, and structural information of the tissues were visualized using the proposed combined system.

New near-infrared ICG fluorescent method could be a promising protocol for sentinel node navigation surgery in early gastric cancer.

Skin auto-fluorescence (SAF) has generated broad interest about the prospects for non-invasive advanced glycation end product assessment and its direct interplay with the development of microvascular complications, but clinical application of the existing SAF measuring of non-palmoplantar sites in non-Caucasian subjects with dark skin type is still controversial. Here, we tested the diabetic complication screening performance of a novel SAF measuring system in Asian type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects. A total of 166 Korean patients with T2DM were enrolled in this study and palmoplantar SAF was measured by a newly developed transmission-geometry noninvasive optical system. We found that transmitted SAF values of palmoplantar sites, 1st dorsal interossei muscles of the hand, in a complication group were significantly higher than in a non-complication group while no differences were observed between the two groups in reflected SAF of non-palmoplantar sites. The transmitted SAF values of palmoplantar sites were dramatically increased in subjects with multiple complications and were tightly correlated with the duration of microvascular complications. In conclusion, the SAF measurement in the palmoplantar sites with a non-invasive transmission-geometry optical system provided better microvascular complication screening performance compared to the SAF measurement of non-palmoplantar sites specifically in Asian T2DM subjects.