Abstract: There is described a method of manufacturing a lensed optical fiber using an optical fiber having a tapered region decreasing in diameter along a longitudinal direction leading to a taper tip. The method generally has: while the tapered region and the taper tip of the optical fiber are immersed into an etching liquid, heating the etching liquid surrounding the taper tip in accordance with a temperature gradient in which temperature increases longitudinally from the tapered region to the taper tip, said the local heating causing a corresponding etching rate gradient shaping the taper tip into a lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination comprising at least one monoamine reuptake inhibitor and at least one potassium-chloride cotransporter type 2 expression-enhancing compounds (KEEC). The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one monoamine reuptake inhibitor and at least one KEEC, and to a kit of parts comprising at least one monoamine reuptake inhibitor and at least one KEEC, as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use.

Abstract: A method and system for improving lateral resolution in optical microscopy are provided. The method includes generating a source optical beam and passing the source optical beam successively through an axicon, a Fourier-transform lens and an objective to convert the source optical beam into an excitation Bessel-type beam having a central lobe and at least one side lobe. The method also includes focusing the excitation beam onto a focal plane of the objective within or on a sample to generate a sample light signal, and spatially filtering the sample light signal. The spatial filtering includes rejecting light originating from outside of the focal plane and light generated by the at least one side lobe of the excitation beam. The spatial filtering also includes permitting passage, as a filtered light signal, of light generated by the central lobe of the excitation beam. The method further includes detecting the filtered light signal.

Abstract: A method and a system for obtaining a high-resolution image of a volume of a sample using laser imaging are provided. The method includes a step of probing the volume of the sample with a first excitation beam having an intensity profile of maximum intensity at a center thereof, thereby obtaining a positive image of the volume. The method also includes a step of probing the volume of the sample with a second excitation beam having an intensity profile of minimum intensity at a center thereof and defining a peripheral region of maximum intensity around the center, thereby obtaining a negative image of the volume. The method finally includes a step of subtracting the negative image from the positive image, thereby obtaining the high-resolution image of the volume of the sample. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention can be probe- and fluorescence-independent, and be conveniently retrofitted into existing laser imaging systems.

Abstract: A laser scanning imaging system and method for obtaining an extended-depth-of-field image of a volume of a sample are provided. The system includes a laser module generating an input laser beam, a beam shaping module including an axicon and a Fourier-transform lens, and an imaging module including an objective lens and a detecting assembly. The axicon, Fourier-transform lens and objective lens are formed and disposed to successively convert the input laser beam into an intermediate non-diffracting beam, an intermediate annular beam, and an excitation non-diffracting beam. The excitation beam is projected onto the sample and has a depth of field and transverse resolution together defining a three-dimensional excitation region. The detecting assembly collects electromagnetic radiation from the excitation region to obtain one pixel of the extended-depth-of-field image.

Abstract: A method and a system for obtaining a high-resolution image of a volume of a sample using laser imaging are provided. The method includes a step of probing the volume of the sample with a first excitation beam having an intensity profile of maximum intensity at a center thereof, thereby obtaining a positive image of the volume. The method also includes a step of probing the volume of the sample with a second excitation beam having an intensity profile of minimum intensity at a center thereof and defining a peripheral region of maximum intensity around the center, thereby obtaining a negative image of the volume. The method finally includes a step of subtracting the negative image from the positive image, thereby obtaining the high-resolution image of the volume of the sample. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention can be probe- and fluorescence-independent, and be conveniently retrofitted into existing laser imaging systems.

Abstract: A laser scanning imaging system and method for obtaining an extended-depth-of-field image of a volume of a sample are provided. The system includes a laser module generating an input laser beam, a beam shaping module including an axicon and a Fourier-transform lens, and an imaging module including an objective lens and a detecting assembly. The axicon, Fourier-transform lens and objective lens are formed and disposed to successively convert the input laser beam into an intermediate non-diffracting beam, an intermediate annular beam, and an excitation non-diffracting beam. The excitation beam is projected onto the sample and has a depth of field and transverse resolution together defining a three-dimensional excitation region. The detecting assembly collects electromagnetic radiation from the excitation region to obtain one pixel of the extended-depth-of-field image.

Abstract: Methods and products for the attenuation or treatment of pain and the reduction of nociception are described. The methods and products are based on the modulation of neuroglia-derived BDNF expression or activity. Also described herein are commercial packages and uses based on such modulation. Related methods for identifying or characterizing compounds for the treatment of pain and the reduction of nociception are also described.

Abstract: Methods and products for the attenuation or treatment of pain and the reduction of nociception are described. The methods and products are based on the modulation of CNS intracellular chloride levels. The methods and products may also relate to modulation of the activity and/or expression of a chloride transporter, such as the KCC2 potassium-chloride cotransporter. Also described herein are commercial packages and uses based on such modulation. Related methods for identifying or characterizing a compound for the treatment of pain, the reduction of nociception and the diagnosis and prognostication of pain are also described.

Abstract: Methods and products for the attenuation or treatment of pain and the reduction of nociception are described. The methods and products are based on the modulation of CNS intracellular chloride levels. The methods and products may also relate to modulation of the activity and/or expression of a chloride transporter, such as the KCC2 potassium-chloride cotransporter. Also described herein are commercial packages and uses based on such modulation. Related methods for identifying or characterizing a compound for the treatment of pain, the reduction of nociception and the diagnosis and prognostication of pain are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of preventing and treating pain, by modulating, e.g. inhibiting, the activity, function and/or expression of a PLC? in a subject. The invention further relates to methods of identifying agents capable of modulating the activity and/or expression of a PLC?, or capable of modulating binding of a ligand or binding partner to a PLC?, and their use thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of pain. In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for the diagnosis and prognostication of pain by determining whether there is modulation of activity and/or expression of a PLC? relative to a corresponding control.

Abstract: Methods and products for the attenuation or treatment of pain and the reduction of nociception are described. The methods and products are based on the modulation of CNS intracellular chloride levels. The methods and products may also relate to modulation of the activity and/or expression of a chloride transporter, such as the KCC2 potassium-chloride cotransporter. Also described herein are commercial packages and uses based on such modulation. Related methods for identifying or characterizing a compound for the treatment of pain, the reduction of nociception and the diagnosis and prognostication of pain are also described.

Abstract: Methods and products for the attenuation or treatment of pain and the reduction of nociception are described. The methods an products are based on the modulation of neuroglia-derived BDNF expression or activity. Also described herein are commercial packages and uses based on such modulation. Related methods for identifying or characterizing compounds for the treatment of pain and the reduction of nociception are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of preventing and treating pain, by modulating, e.g. inhibiting, the activity, function and/or expression of a PLC? in a subject. The invention further relates to methods of identifying agents capable of modulating the activity and/or expression of a PLC?, or capable of modulating binding of a ligand or binding partner to a PLC?, and their use thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of pain. In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for the diagnosis and prognostication of pain by determining whether there is modulation of activity and/or expression of a PLC? relative to a corresponding control.

Abstract: Methods and products for the attenuation or treatment of pain and the reduction of nociception are described. The methods and products are based on the modulation of CNS intracellular chloride levels. The methods and products may also relate to modulation of the activity and/or expression of a chloride transporter, such as the KCC2 potassium-chloride cotransporter. Also described herein are commercial packages and uses based on such modulation. Related methods for identifying or characterizing a compound for the treatment of pain, the reduction of nociception and the diagnosis and prognostication of pain are also described.