Report of the nations: Belgium
Belgium is probably the most productive holographic nation, insofar the production of silver halide material is concerned, and silver halide is still the workhorse for a very large number of holographic applications, both in display and technical fields.
Holographic Portraiture of Humans, Plants and Ghosts in Belgium
The author describes his efforts to bring holography and its artistic applications out of the realm of mystery or curiosity. Three areas of the author’s involvement are treated: first, how holographic portraits were successfully made in situ during a convention (it is believed that this was a world’s first); second, how holograms of simple vegetal objects, viewable under normal lighting conditions, are being used to bring holography to a larger audience; finally, how collaboration between technicians and artists can lead to results that are satisfying and enriching for both parties.
Dopamine Release is Involved in Antinociceptive Effect of Theophylline
ABSTRACT The methylxanthines, e.g., theophylline, are widely used for the treatment of bronchial asthma. Additionally, a pain relieving effect of theophylline has been reported in patients as well as in experimental animals. The mechanism of this antinociceptive action is not clear. In this study, involvement of dopaminergic system in theophylline-induced antinociception was evaluated using tail flick test model. Swiss albino mice, (either sex, weighing 25–30 g) with base line tail flick latencies (TFL) between 2.0 and 3.5 s, were used. TFL was recorded before and at intervals of 15, 30, 45, and 60 min. after drug treatment. The experimental protocol was duly approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. To determine the role of dopaminergic system, the mice were pretreated with either D1 or D2 dopaminergic receptor antagonists SCH 23390 and haloperidol, respectively, prior to treatment with theophylline. Another group of animals received apomorphine along with theophylline. The dose of theophylline used, i.e., 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.), had shown a significant increase in TFLs. The theophylline-induced antinociception, 10 mg/kg, i.p., was reversed by pretreatment with both D1 and D2 dopaminergic receptor antagonists SCH 23390 and haloperidol as well as with apomorphine (1 mg/kg) pretreatment. The results suggest that theophylline-induced antinociception is due to release of dopamine.