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The full aperture backscatter system provides a measure of the spectral power, and integrated energy scattered by stimulated Brillouin (348–354 nm) and Raman (400–800 nm) scattering into the final focusing lens of the first four beams of the NIF laser. The system was designed to provide measurements at the highest expected fluences with: (1) spectral and temporal resolution, (2) beam aperture averaging, and (3) near-field imaging. This is accomplished with a strongly attenuating diffusive fiber coupler and streaked spectrometer and separate calibrated time integrated spectrometers, and imaging cameras. A new technique determines the wavelength dependent sensitivity of the complete system with a calibrated Xe lamp. Data from the calibration system are combined with scattering data from targets to produce the calibrated power and energy measurements that show significant corrections due to the broad band calibrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We sought to determine the feasibility and routing kinetics of transamniotic fetal delivery of secretory immunoglobulin-A (SIgA), in a rodent model., Methods: Fetuses (n = 94) from seven time-dated pregnant dams received intra-amniotic injections on gestational day 17 (E17, term = E21-22) of either saline (n = 15) or a solution of 1 mg/mL of ≥95% homogeneous human SIgA (n = 79). Animals were euthanized daily at E18-E21 for quantification of the IgA component by ELISA at gestational membranes, placenta, and select fetal anatomical sites against saline controls procured at term. Statistical analysis was by Mann-Whitney U-test., Results: None of the saline-injected animals had detectable human IgA. SIgA-injected fetuses showed human IgA in the stomach aspirate, intestinal wall, lungs, liver, and serum at all time points. IgA levels were significantly higher in the gastric aspirate and in the intestine than in all other sites (p < 0.001 for both), with intestinal levels remaining stable through E18-E21 (p = 0.09-0.62 pairwise). Serum and placental levels were consistently low throughout, reaching near zero levels by E21., Conclusions: The chronology of exogenous secretory-IgA kinetics after intra-amniotic injection is suggestive of fetal uptake by ingestion, leading to consistent levels in the gastrointestinal tract. Transamniotic fetal immunotherapy (TRAFIT) with secretory-IgA may become a novel strategy for enhancing early mucosal immunity., Level of Evidence: N/A (animal and laboratory study)., Type of Study: Animal and laboratory study., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)