A 96-Well LED Array for Multiplexed Photoelectrochemical Detection of Nucleic Acids.

Photoelectrochemical detection of nucleic acid-based cancer biomarkers offers opportunities for highly sensitive, selective, and fast quantitative detection using low-cost measurement instruments. In order to establish itself as a standard method for identifying and quantifying nucleic acids, we have developed a multiplexing strategy using LED technology for photoelectrochemical detection in 96 samples simultaneously. A dedicated setup based on the 96-well plate configuration with a custom-made 96-well LED array was developed.

Intramuscular Oxygenation and Muscle Activity of Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis During Piano Performance: An Observational Study.

Background: Repetitive piano movements have been associated with playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) such as forearm myalgia and symptoms of lateral epicondylopathy. Despite the high prevalence of PRMDs among pianists, there is poor understanding regarding the underlying physiological mechanisms. Intramuscular oxygenation may play a role in the development of PRMDs.

Automated Firmware Generation for Compressive Sensing on Heterogeneous Hardware.

In this paper, a model-based firmware generator is presented towards complex sampling schemes. The framework is capable of automatically generating a fixed-rate Shannon-compliant acquisition scheme, as well as a variable-rate compressive sensing acquisition scheme. The generation starts from a model definition, which consists of two main components, namely an acquisition sequence to implement and the platform on which the sequence should be implemented.

Effects of Rehearsal Time and Repertoire Speed on Upper Trapezius Activity in Conservatory Piano Students.

Background: Repetitive piano play may overload neck and shoulder muscles and tendons, leading to playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs).

Methods: In this pilot study (EMG data of the extensor carpi radialis have been published separately), surface electromyography (sEMG) activity of the upper trapezius (UT) was captured in 10 conservatory piano students while playing a fast and a slow music score selected from the individual's repertoire, each 3 minutes long. Measurements were made at baseline and again after 2 hrs and 4 hrs of rehearsal time of the piano études.

Bio-acoustic tracking and localization using heterogeneous, scalable microphone arrays.

Microphone arrays are an essential tool in the field of bioacoustics as they provide a non-intrusive way to study animal vocalizations and monitor their movement and behavior. Microphone arrays can be used for passive localization and tracking of sound sources while analyzing beamforming or spatial filtering of the emitted sound. Studying free roaming animals usually requires setting up equipment over large areas and attaching a tracking device to the animal which may alter their behavior.

Effects of Rehearsal Time and Repertoire Speed on Extensor Carpi Radialis EMG in Conservatory Piano Students.

Background: Repetitive actions while playing piano may overload forearm muscles and tendons, leading to playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs), including lateral epicondylitis.

Methods: In this pilot study, surface electromyography (sEMG) activity of the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) was captured in 10 conservatory piano students while playing a fast and a slow music score selected from the individual's repertoire, each 3 minutes long. Measurements were made at baseline and again after 2 hrs and 4 hrs of rehearsal time of the piano études.

Low-cost synchronization of high-speed audio and video recordings in bio-acoustic experiments.

In this paper, we present a method for synchronizing high-speed audio and video recordings of bio-acoustic experiments. By embedding a random signal into the recorded video and audio data, robust synchronization of a diverse set of sensor streams can be performed without the need to keep detailed records. The synchronization can be performed using recording devices without dedicated synchronization inputs.

Human-computer interface using a head mounted camera and IR markers.

This paper describes an alternative way to control the selection of items in computing devices. A survey of the issues of the current state-of-the art is performed and a solution is presented based on a cheap, head-mounted, IR sensitive camera tracking IR LEDs. Benefits related to this approach are indicated, initial performance results are presented from which we can conclude the feasibility of the proposed solution.

The behavior of alloplastic tympanic membranes in Staphylococcus aureus-induced middle ear infection. II. Morphological study of epithelial reactions.

Epithelial reactions to Silastic, Estane polyether urethane, polypropylene oxide, and a poly(ethylene oxide hydantoin) and poly(tetramethylene terephthalate) segmented polyether polyester copolymer were investigated after implantation in tympanic membranes and submucosa of noninfected and Staphylococcus aureus-infected rat middle ears. Porous implants made of Estane and polypropylene oxide were completely covered by tympanic-membrane connective tissue, epidermis, and epithelium in 2 weeks and those made of copolymer in between 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively. Silastic implants, which were dense, were not enveloped by tympanic-membrane tissue but rejected.

The formation of asbestos bodies by mouse peritoneal macrophages. An in vitro study.

For studies on the mechanism of asbestos body formation, Union Internationale Contre Cancer (UICC) crocidolite asbestos fibers were added to a culture of mouse peritoneal macrophages. Small asbestos fibers were totally ingested by the macrophages, but fibers too long to be taken up completely remained as a consequence extracellular. These long asbestos fibers became the basis for asbestos body formation.

The behavior of alloplastic tympanic membranes in Staphylococcus aureus-induced middle ear infection. I. Quantitative biocompatibility evaluation.

The biocompatibility of dense Silastic implants and porous implants made of Estane 5714 F1 polyether urethane, polypropylene oxide, and an HPOE/PBT segmented polyether polyester copolymer was evaluated during an induced Staphylococcus aureus middle ear infection. The middle ear response to infection seemed not to be affected by the presence of implants made of either of the polymers. Light microscopical morphometry and transmission electron microscopy showed degradation of the porous implants under study, but not of Silastic implants, which were invariably surrounded by a fibrous capsule.

Tissue/biomaterial interface characteristics of four elastomers. A transmission electron microscopical study.

The tissue/biomaterial interface reactions of four elastomers--selected as candidates for scaffolding for tympanic membrane tissue in a total alloplastic middle ear prosthesis--were studied at the electron microscopical level after implantation in the rat middle ear. Time-dependent changes in the phagocyte/polymer interface suggested degradation of porous implants made of Estane polyether urethane, polypropylene oxide, and a poly(ethylene oxide hydantoin) and poly(tetramethylene terephthalate) segmented polyether polyester copolymer (HPOE/PBT copolymer), but not of dense Silastic silicone rubber implants. Silastic was always encapsulated in fibrous tissue.

Asbestos body formation and iron accumulation in mouse peritoneal granulomas after the introduction of crocidolite asbestos fibers.

This report describes the cell biology of the development of asbestos bodies after a single intraperitoneal injection of a suspension of crocidolite asbestos fibers into the mouse peritoneal cavity. The majority of the infected fibers were found in aggregates of peritoneal macrophages, exudate cells, and fibrous tissue. These aggregates developed into granulomas containing not only numerous asbestos fibers, but also cells of various types, including macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, fibroblasts, plasma cells, granulocytes, and mast cells.

Immunoelectron microscopic visualization of the transcytosis of low density lipoproteins in perfused rat arteries.

A postembedding labeling technique was employed to visualize human native low density lipoproteins (LDL) during transcytosis in rat arterial endothelium. For this purpose human LDL was perfused through rat vasculature before fixation and processing for immunoelectron microscopy. The LDL particles were located on sections by anti-human apolipoprotein B-100 (LDL) antibodies and secondary antibodies or protein-A conjugated to 10-nm colloidal gold.

Ultrastructural electron probe X-ray microanalytical reaction product identification of three different enzymes in the same mouse resident peritoneal macrophage.

Simultaneous cytochemical enzyme localization procedures for peroxidase (PO) plus acid phosphatase (AcP-ase) and/or aryl sulphatase (AS) have been investigated at the ultrastructural (EM) level. Electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA) will identify and differentiate the reaction products. Dual reaction product localization of PO plus AcP-ase or alternatively PO plus AS have been obtained in the same mouse resident peritoneal macrophage.

Biocompatibility of six elastomers in vitro.

The biocompatibility of two silicone rubbers, Silastic and Dow Corning Elastomer, and of a polyether and a polyester urethane, a polyether polyester copolymer, and polypropylene oxide was assessed in vitro. These elastomers were selected for assessment as a possible alloplastic tympanic membrane. For these studies use was made of rat middle ear mucosa explants and serially cultured epithelium.

Cell surface characteristics and DNA content of macrophages in murine bone marrow cultures. A study using simultaneous scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy.

An instrument combining scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM) was used to study the cell surface characteristics and DNA content of macrophages in murine bone marrow cultures. After a quantitative Feulgen DNA staining, the DNA content of the individual macrophages was measured and their cell surface morphology was studied immediately thereafter with the SEM part of the instrument. The cells were divided into six groups according to the number of microvilli and/or microridges present on their surface.

The biological performance of calcium phosphate ceramics in an infected implantation site: I. Biological performance of hydroxyapatite during Staphylococcus aureus infection.

In the present study the biological performance of macroporous and dense hydroxyapatite after implantation in the rat middle ear was evaluated during an induced Staphylococcus aureus middle ear infection. The course of the infection was similar to that in the absence of an implant. Hydroxyapatite was frequently integrated with fibrous ingrowths in the middle ear lumen, originating solely from the infection.

The biological performance of calcium phosphate ceramics in an infected implantation site: II. Biological evaluation of hydroxyapatite during short-term infection.

Macroporous hydroxyapatite was implanted submucosally in the rat middle ear and studied after intratympanic injection of a Staphylococcus aureus suspension. The middle ear infection was induced 1 week after the implantation, and the effects of infection on the middle ear and the implant material were evaluated after 1, 3, 7, and 14 days by light and electron microscopy. The findings in the infected middle ear with an implant corresponded well with those described for the infected middle ear cavity without an implant.

Measurement of single-cell DNA synthesis by pokeweed mitogen-stimulated mononuclear cells with combined light and scanning electron microscopy.

The response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulation was investigated with combined light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The DNA content of the nucleus of a cell (measured by fluorescence) was compared directly with the diameter and morphological features (by SEM). It was found that upon PWM stimulation lymphocytes transform into blast cells without measurable increase of diploid DNA content (4C) were not seen.