Spatial-temporal correlations in the speckle pattern for the characterization of cellular motion within a 3D object.

Dynamic light scattering analysis has been demonstrated recently to be a promising tool for the assessment of structural changes taking place inside opaque tissue samples. Specifically, quantification of velocity and direction of cellular motion inside spheroids and organoids has attracted much attention as a potent indicator in personalized therapy research. Here, we propose a method for the quantitative extraction of cellular motion, velocity, and direction, by applying a concept of speckle spatial-temporal correlation dynamics.

Co-culture hydrogel micro-chamber array-based plate for anti-tumor drug development at single-element resolution.

In response to the need for reliable cellular models that reflect complex tumor microenvironmental properties, and enable more precise testing of anti-cancer therapeutics effects on humans, a co-culture platform for in-vitro model that enhances the physiology of breast cancer (BC) microenvironment is presented. A six well imaging plate wherein each macro-well contains several separate compartments was designed. Three-dimensional (3D) cancer spheroids are generated and cultured in the inner compartment which is embossed with an array of nano-liter micro-chambers made of hydrogel.

Discrimination of leukemic Jurkat cells from normal lymphocytes via novo label-free cytometry based on fluctuation of image gray values.

We introduce a simple, label-free cytometry technique, based on the spatio-temporal fluctuation analysis of pixel gray levels of a cell image utilizing the Gray Level Information Entropy (GLIE) function. In this study, the difference in GLIE random fluctuations and its biophysical etiology in a comparison cell model of leukemic Jurkat cells and human healthy donor lymphocytes was explored. A combination of common bright field microscopy and a unique imaging dish wherein cells are individually held untethered in a picoliter volume matrix of optical chambers was used.

Analysis of Cancer Cell Invasion and Anti-metastatic Drug Screening Using Hydrogel Micro-chamber Array (HMCA)-based Plates.

Cancer metastasis is known to cause 90% of cancer lethality. Metastasis is a multistage process which initiates with the penetration/invasion of tumor cells into neighboring tissue. Thus, invasion is a crucial step in metastasis, making the invasion process research and development of anti-metastatic drugs, highly significant.

Nitric oxide is cytoprotective to breast cancer spheroids vulnerable to estrogen-induced apoptosis.

Estrogen-induced apoptosis has become a successful treatment for postmenopausal metastatic, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Nitric oxide involvement in the response to this endocrine treatment and its influence upon estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer progression is still unclear. Nitric oxide impact on the MCF7 breast cancer line, before and after estrogen-induced apoptosis, was investigated in 3D culture systems using unique live-cell imaging methodologies.

Predictors of Cardiac Rehabilitation Initiation and Adherence in a Multiracial Urban Population.

Background: Lack of initiation and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) remains a persistent problem. We sought to examine predictors of initiation, adherence, and completion of CR in a unique, minority predominant, urban population.

Methods: We included all patients who were first-time referred to the outpatient CR program at Montefiore Medical Center between 1997 and 2010.

Ultrasound-guided cannulation of the femoral vein in electrophysiological procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: In an effort to minimize periprocedural stroke risk, increasingly, electrophysiological (EP) procedures are being performed on anticoagulation. The decrease in stroke has been accompanied by an increase in potentially devastating vascular access complications. Ultrasound guidance for femoral vein cannulation reduces complications in other applications.

In situ label-free static cytometry by monitoring spatiotemporal fluctuations of image gray values.

Spatiotemporal fluctuation of homogeneity and randomness of gray values within an image was explored and utilized as a label-free means for cell examination. This was done by utilizing a user-friendly combination of simple bright field microscope and Cytocapture dish, wherein cells are individually held, each within a picoliter optical chamber, forming an array of cells to be repeatedly measured over time and biomanipulated in situ at single-cell resolution. First, the measured gray level information entropy (GLIE) was used and, based on the fact that living cells are not in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium but rather in a metastable state, two fluctuation-sensitive measures were proposed and examined: ASDE—the spatial average of temporal standard deviation (SD) of GLIE, and AA—the average time autocorrelation of GLIE.

Analysis of the Spectroscopic Aspects of Cationic Dye Basic Orange 21.

Spectroscopic properties of cationic dye basic orange 21 (BO21) in solutions, in solids, and within leukocytes were examined. Results obtained with solutions indicate that influence of variables such as pH, viscosity, salt composition, and various proteins on the absorption spectrum of BO21 is negligible. However, in the presence of heparin, a blue shift (484-465 nm) is observed, which is attributed to the aggregation of BO21 on the polyanion.

Ultrasound-Guided Catheterization of the Femoral Artery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objectives: The goal of this meta-analysis was to determine the utility of real-time two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound guidance for femoral artery catheterization.

Background: Despite the shift toward establishing vascular access via the radial artery rather than the femoral artery, femoral artery cannulation is still frequent in cardiac catheterization. Since vascular complications related to femoral artery cannulation can be quite devastating, preventing these complications is vital.

Real-time quantification of protein expression and translocation at individual cell resolution using imaging-dish-based live cell array.

Cell populations represent intrinsically heterogeneous systems with a high level of spatiotemporal complexity. Monitoring and understanding cell-to-cell diversity is essential for the research and application of intra- and interpopulation variations. Optical analysis of live cells is challenging since both adherent and nonadherent cells change their spatial location.

Racial disparities in cardiac rehabilitation initiation and the effect on survival.

Objectives: To examine predictors of initiation and adherence, identify racial disparities, and compare the survival benefit of cardiac rehabilitation between a white and a unique predominantly non-white minority in an urban environment.

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Setting: The outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program at Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York.

The use of sequential staining for detection of heterogeneous intracellular response of individual Jurkat cells to lysophosphatidylcholine.

Living cells are known to exhibit great morphological, functional, spatial and temporal heterogeneity. Hence, the study of cells in a bulk, whether this bulk is homogenous or heterogeneous, does not provide sufficiently detailed or interpretable results. An advantageous approach would rather be a comprehensive study of cell biological activity in single isolated living cells.

Correlative analyses of nitric oxide generation rates and nitric oxide synthase levels in individual cells using a modular cell-retaining device.

Nitric oxide (NO) is recognized as one of the major immune system agents involved in the pathogenesis and control of various diseases that may benefit from novel drug development, by exploiting NO signaling pathways and targets. This calls for detection of both intracellular levels of NO and expression of its synthesizing enzymes (NOS) in individual, intact, living cells. Such measurements are challenging, however, due to short half-life, low and fluctuating concentrations of NO, cellular heterogeneity, and inability to trace the same cells over time.

The individual-cell-based cryo-chip for the cryopreservation, manipulation and observation of spatially identifiable cells. II: functional activity of cryopreserved cells.

Background: The cryopreservation and thawing processes are known to induce many deleterious effects in cells and might be detrimental to several cell types. There is an inherent variability in cellular responses among cell types and within individual cells of a given population with regard to their ability to endure the freezing and thawing process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fate of cryopreserved cells within an optical cryo apparatus, the individual-cell-based cryo-chip (i3C), by monitoring several basic cellular functional activities at the resolution of individual cells.

A polymer microstructure array for the formation, culturing, and high throughput drug screening of breast cancer spheroids.

Multicellular spheroid models have been recognized as superior to monolayer cell cultures in antitumor drug screening, but their commercial adaptation in the pharmaceutical industry has been delayed, primarily due to technological limitations. The current study presents a new spheroid culture platform that addresses these technical restrictions. The new culturing device is based on a multiwell plate equipped with a glass bottom patterned with an array of UV adhesive microchambers.

The individual-cell-based cryo-chip for the cryopreservation, manipulation and observation of spatially identifiable cells. I: methodology.

Background: Cryopreservation is the only widely applicable method of storing vital cells for nearly unlimited periods of time. Successful cryopreservation is essential for reproductive medicine, stem cell research, cord blood storage and related biomedical areas. The methods currently used to retrieve a specific cell or a group of individual cells with specific biological properties after cryopreservation are quite complicated and inefficient.

Polymer live-cell array for real-time kinetic imaging of immune cells.

Direct quantitative experimental investigations of the function of lymphocytes and other immune cells are challenging due to the cell mobility and the complexity of intercellular communications. In order to facilitate such investigations, an in vitro system is required that is noninvasive and provides kinetic data on cellular responses to challenges such as drug treatments. The present work reports the development of a disposable, inexpensive polymer-made device, the Polymer Live Cell Array (PLCA), for real-time, kinetic analysis of immune cells.