A Modified-Herringbone Micromixer for Assessing Zebrafish Sperm (MAGS).

Sperm motility analysis of aquatic model species is important yet challenging due to the small sample volume, the necessity to activate with water, and the short duration of motility. To achieve standardization of sperm activation, microfluidic mixers have shown improved reproducibility over activation by hand, but challenges remain in optimizing and simplifying the use of these microdevices for greater adoption. The device described herein incorporates a novel micromixer geometry that aligns two sperm inlet streams with modified herringbone structures that split and recombine the sample at a 1:6 dilution with water to achieve rapid and consistent initiation of motility.

A Simple Micromilled Microfluidic Impedance Cytometer with Vertical Parallel Electrodes for Cell Viability Analysis.

Microfluidic impedance cytometry has been demonstrated as an effective platform for single cell analysis, taking advantage of microfabricated features and dielectric cell sensing methods. In this study, we present a simple microfluidic device to improve the sensitivity, accuracy, and throughput of single suspension cell viability analysis using vertical sidewall electrodes fabricated by a widely accessible negative manufacturing method. A microchannel milled through a 75 µm platinum wire, which was embedded into poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA), created a pair of parallel vertical sidewall platinum electrodes.

Development of a Single-Piece Sperm Counting Chamber (SSCC) for Aquatic Species.

Accurate determination of sperm concentration in aquatic species is important for assisted reproduction and cryopreservation, yet is challenging as current counting methods are costly or not suitable for many species. The goal of this work was to develop a simple (single-piece and single-layer photolithography) sperm counting chamber (SSCC) for aquatic species. Goldfish ( and zebrafish () sperm were used for evaluation in the device, which was created with soft lithography.

Microfabrication of low-cost customisable counting chambers for standardised estimation of sperm concentration.

Evaluation of sperm concentration is essential for research and procedures involving AI, cryopreservation and sperm quality assessment. Microfabrication technologies have shown tremendous potential for rapid prototyping and fabrication of devices to assist reproduction and fertility research, but such utility has not yet been made available for most reproduction laboratories. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using microfabrication techniques to produce counting chambers for estimation of sperm concentration.

Patterns of medicinal cannabis use, strain analysis, and substitution effect among patients with migraine, headache, arthritis, and chronic pain in a medicinal cannabis cohort.

Background: Medicinal cannabis registries typically report pain as the most common reason for use. It would be clinically useful to identify patterns of cannabis treatment in migraine and headache, as compared to arthritis and chronic pain, and to analyze preferred cannabis strains, biochemical profiles, and prescription medication substitutions with cannabis.

Methods: Via electronic survey in medicinal cannabis patients with headache, arthritis, and chronic pain, demographics and patterns of cannabis use including methods, frequency, quantity, preferred strains, cannabinoid and terpene profiles, and prescription substitutions were recorded.