scholarly journals Intracellular action potential recordings from cardiomyocytes by ultrafast pulsed laser irradiation of fuzzy graphene microelectrodes

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (15) ◽  
pp. eabd5175
Author(s):  
Michele Dipalo ◽  
Sahil K. Rastogi ◽  
Laura Matino ◽  
Raghav Garg ◽  
Jacqueline Bliley ◽  
...  

Graphene with its unique electrical properties is a promising candidate for carbon-based biosensors such as microelectrodes and field effect transistors. Recently, graphene biosensors were successfully used for extracellular recording of action potentials in electrogenic cells; however, intracellular recordings remain beyond their current capabilities because of the lack of an efficient cell poration method. Here, we present a microelectrode platform consisting of out-of-plane grown three-dimensional fuzzy graphene (3DFG) that enables recording of intracellular cardiac action potentials with high signal-to-noise ratio. We exploit the generation of hot carriers by ultrafast pulsed laser for porating the cell membrane and creating an intimate contact between the 3DFG electrodes and the intracellular domain. This approach enables us to detect the effects of drugs on the action potential shape of human-derived cardiomyocytes. The 3DFG electrodes combined with laser poration may be used for all-carbon intracellular microelectrode arrays to allow monitoring of the cellular electrophysiological state.


2011 ◽  
Vol 284-286 ◽  
pp. 2251-2254
Author(s):  
Zhao Gang Nie ◽  
Xin Zhong Li ◽  
Yu Ping Tai ◽  
Ki Soo Lim ◽  
Myeongkyu Lee

The feasibility of three-dimensional optical bit memory is demonstrated by using the change of fluorescence and refractive index in Sm(DBM)3Phen-doped and un-doped Poly(methyl methacrylate). After a femtosecond pulsed laser irradiation, a refractive-index bit and a fluorescent bit can be formed at the same position inside the bulk sample. Multilayer patterns recorded by tightly focusing the pulsed laser beam were read out by a reflection-type fluorescent confocal microscope, which can detect the reflection signal and also the fluorescent signal of the stored bits. The signal-to-noise ratio via the two retrieval modes was compared as a function of recording depth. The stored bits were retrieved with a high signal-to-noise ratio in the absence of any crosstalk and the detection of the fluorescent signal enables retrieval of the stored bits with a higher S/N ratio.



2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 236-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. van Genderen ◽  
M. T. B. Clabbers ◽  
P. P. Das ◽  
A. Stewart ◽  
I. Nederlof ◽  
...  

Until recently, structure determination by transmission electron microscopy of beam-sensitive three-dimensional nanocrystals required electron diffraction tomography data collection at liquid-nitrogen temperature, in order to reduce radiation damage. Here it is shown that the novel Timepix detector combines a high dynamic range with a very high signal-to-noise ratio and single-electron sensitivity, enablingab initiophasing of beam-sensitive organic compounds. Low-dose electron diffraction data (∼0.013 e− Å−2 s−1) were collected at room temperature with the rotation method. It was ascertained that the data were of sufficient quality for structure solution using direct methods using software developed for X-ray crystallography (XDS,SHELX) and for electron crystallography (ADT3D/PETS,SIR2014).



2021 ◽  
pp. 113501
Author(s):  
Dongxin Xu ◽  
Jiaru Fang ◽  
Mingyue Zhang ◽  
Hao Wang ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
...  


1991 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
pp. 431-431
Author(s):  
Max Pettini

The exceptional brightness of SN1987A provided a wealth of opportunities for probing not only the interstellar medium in our Galaxy and in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), but also any intergalactic matter between the two. Spectroscopic work has been directed both towards searches for very weak absorption lines, which require data of exceptionally high signal-to-noise ratio, and towards recording spectra of known features at unprecedentedly high resolution. Both approaches have yielded exciting and unexpected results. The first detection of [FeX] absorption has revealed the presence of million-degree gas in the interstellar medium of the LMC, possibly resulting from the explosions of previous supernovae in the 30-Doradus HII region. The ultra-high-resolution observations have been successful in resolving the hyperfine structure of the sodium D lines in several interstellar clouds along the line of sight to the supernova. This implies that the clouds are at temperatures of, at most, 170 K and have internal turbulent velocities of not more than 0.2 km s−1; large-scale motions thus appear to be mainly subsonic in these clouds. Radio observations of HI emission at 21-cm with the Parkes telescope have been combined with measurements of a variety of ultraviolet absorption lines, obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite, to give the most detailed picture yet of the chemical composition of the gas between the Galaxy and the LMC. Finally, photographic monitoring of the light echo of SN 1987A over the last two years has provided a three-dimensional view of the interstellar environment in which SN 1987A exploded, complementing vividly the information deduced from the spectroscopic results.



2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 1214-1219 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Nelson ◽  
A Poonawalla ◽  
P Hou ◽  
JS Wolinsky ◽  
PA Narayana

Background Gray matter lesions are known to be common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and are suspected to play an important role in disease progression and clinical disability. A combination of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, double-inversion recovery (DIR), and phase-sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR), has been used for detection and classification of cortical lesions. This study shows that high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient echo (MPRAGE) improves the classification of cortical lesions by allowing more accurate anatomic localization of lesion morphology. Methods 11 patients with MS with previously identified cortical lesions were scanned using DIR, PSIR, and 3D MPRAGE. Lesions were identified on DIR and PSIR and classified as purely intracortical or mixed. MPRAGE images were then examined, and lesions were re-classified based on the new information. Results The high signal-to-noise ratio, fine anatomic detail, and clear gray-white matter tissue contrast seen in the MPRAGE images provided superior delineation of lesion borders and surrounding gray-white matter junction, improving classification accuracy. 119 lesions were identified as either intracortical or mixed on DIR/PSIR. In 89 cases, MPRAGE confirmed the classification by DIR/PSIR. In 30 cases, MPRAGE overturned the original classification. Conclusion Improved classification of cortical lesions was realized by inclusion of high-spatial resolution 3D MPRAGE. This sequence provides unique detail on lesion morphology that is necessary for accurate classification.



1988 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pettini

AbstractThe exceptional brightness of SN 1987A has provided a unique opportunity to probe intervening gas clouds in the disk and halo of our Galaxy and in the Large Magellanic Cloud, as well as intergalactic matter between the two. At the AAO we have exploited this opportunity in two ways: in searches for very weak interstellar features requiring exceptionally high signal-to-noise ratio spectra, and in recording known interstellar lines with unprecedentedly high spectral resolution. We are also monitoring photographically the evolution of the light-echoes to map the three-dimensional distribution of interstellar matter near the supernova. Surprisingly high column densities of million-degree gas have been found in the LMC through the first detection of [Fe X] in absorption. The hot gas may fill the interior of a ‘superbubble’, created by the combined effects of previous supernovae in this active region of star-formation; this cavity may be related to the shells of interstellar matter giving rise to the light-echoes. The ultra-high resolution observations, which required the rapid construction of a dedicated new spectrograph, were successful in resolving the hyperfine structure of the sodium D lines in several interstellar clouds. This implies that the clouds are at temperatures of at most 170 K and have internal turbulent velocities of no more than 0.3 km s−1, even though some are moving with high velocities relative to the Sun.



1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 961-975 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. F. Stasheff ◽  
M. Hines ◽  
W. A. Wilson

1. Intracellular and extracellular recording techniques were used to study the increase in ectopic (i.e., nonsomatic) action-potential generation occurring among CA3 pyramidal cells during the kindling-like induction of electrographic seizures (EGSs) in this subpopulation of the hippocampal slice. Kindling-like stimulus trains (60 Hz, 2 s) were delivered to s. radiatum of CA3 at 10-min intervals. As EGSs developed, the frequency of ectopic firing increased markedly (by 10.33 +/- 3.29 spikes/min, mean +/- SE, P << 0.01). Several methods were applied to determine the initiation site for these action potentials within the cell (axons vs. dendrites). 2. Collision tests were conducted between known antidromic and orthodromic action potentials in CA3 cells to determine the critical period, c, for collision. Attempts were then made to collide ectopic spikes with known antidromic action potentials. At intervals less than c, ectopic spikes failed to collide with antidromic ones, in 5 of 10 cases. In these cells, this clearly indicates that the ectopic spikes were themselves of axonal origin. In the remaining five cases, ectopic spikes collided with antidromic action potentials at intervals approximately equal to c, most likely because of interactions within the complex system of recurrent axon collaterals in CA3. 3. Action potentials of CA3 pyramidal cells were simulated with the use of a compartmental computer model, NEURON. These simulations were based on prior models of CA3 pyramidal neurons and of the motoneuron action potential. Simulated action potentials generated in axonal compartments possessed a prominent inflection on their rising phase (IS-SD break), which was difficult to appreciate in those spikes generated in somatic or dendritic compartments. 4. An analysis of action potentials recorded experimentally from CA3 pyramidal cells also showed that antidromic spikes possess a prominent IS-SD break that is not present in orthodromic spikes. In addition to identified antidromic action potentials, ectopic spikes also possess such an inflection. Together with the predictions of computer simulations, this analysis also indicates that ectopic spikes originate in the axons of CA3 cells. 5. Tetrodotoxin (TTX, 50 microM) was locally applied by pressure injection while monitoring ectopic spike activity. Localized application of TTX to regions of the slice that could include the axons but not the dendrites of recorded cells abolished or markedly reduced the frequency of ectopic spikes (n = 5), further confirming the hypothesis that these action potentials arise from CA3 axons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)



2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (03) ◽  
pp. 177-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Wen-Kai Tsai ◽  
Ho-Shiang Chueh ◽  
Jyh-Cheng Chen

Micro-X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) has several characters such as non-invasive, high spatial resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio, providing three-dimensional volume information. Because micro-CT was utilized in many kinds of research field such as preclinical biomedical study, designing a performance phantom and developing analytic methods to objectively evaluate the performance of micro-CT are very important. In this study, the performance phantom and the analytic methods were developed for performance evaluation of micro-CT. The performance parameters extracted from different CT images including noise, linearity, spatial resolution, and hardware alignment were defined in the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Report No. 1 and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E1695-95. Standard deviation, Pearson's correlation coefficient, edge response function, and visualization method were utilized to evaluate noise, linearity, spatial resolution, and hardware alignment, respectively. A digital uniform disk image was utilized to evaluate the accuracy of spatial resolution evaluation method. The physical phantom study was performed to evaluate a home-made micro-CT and a commercial micro-CT (Skyscan 1076). According to these results, the performance phantom and the analytic methods developed in this study have demonstrated their capability to evaluate performance of any micro-CT.



Author(s):  
Samuel R Kuo ◽  
Natalia A Trayanova

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is believed to be perpetuated by recirculating spiral waves. Atrial structures are often characterized with action potentials of varying morphologies; however, the role of the structure-dependent atrial electrophysiological heterogeneity in spiral wave behaviour is not well understood. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of action potential morphology heterogeneity associated with the major atrial structures in spiral wave maintenance. The present study also focuses on how this effect is further modulated by the presence of the inherent periodicity in atrial structure. The goals of the study are achieved through the simulation of electrical behaviour in a two-dimensional atrial tissue model that incorporates the representation of action potentials in various structurally distinct regions in the right atrium. Periodic boundary conditions are then imposed to form a cylinder (quasi three-dimensional), thus allowing exploration of the additional effect of structure periodicity on spiral wave behaviour. Transmembrane potential maps and phase singularity traces are analysed to determine effects on spiral wave behaviour. Results demonstrate that the prolonged refractoriness of the crista terminalis (CT) affects the pattern of spiral wave reentry, while the variation in action potential morphology of the other structures does not. The CT anchors the spiral waves, preventing them from drifting away. Spiral wave dynamics is altered when the ends of the sheet are spliced together to form a cylinder. The main effect of the continuous surface is the generation of secondary spiral waves which influences the primary rotors. The interaction of the primary and secondary spiral waves decreased as cylinder diameter increased.



1973 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 521-530
Author(s):  
Donald L. Parker

AbstractThe design and performance of a spherically bent crystal x-ray spectrometer with variable curvature are given. A thin crystal with the diffracting planes parallel to the face is mounted on a vacuum chuck consisting of an O-ring in a brass mounting. A controlled partial vacuum is applied behind the crystal to cause spherical deformation of the lattice. Thus, rays from a point source on the focusing circle are diffracted to a line image also on the focusing circle. The differential pressure is automatically varied such that the source-to-crystal and crystal-to-image distances are equal and constant for all Bragg angles and hence the simple θ-2θ motion of a one flat crystal spectrometer is used.The data are accumulated by a scanning proportional counter tube placed behind a vertical slit (perpendicular to the scattering plane) located at the image line. The fixed chord length is 22 cm and the instrument is designed to scan from zero up to 120° 2θ. Crystals are easily interchanged and the automatic vacuum regulator has sufficient flexibility to allow tailoring the spherical bending to crystals of materials of various thicknesses. The resolution is easily adjusted by either the size of the x-ray source or the width of the detector slit. The performance of the spectrometer has been evaluated by characteristic x-rays produced by various samples placed in a demountable x-ray tube. The main advantages of this three-dimensional focusing instrument are the very high signal-to-noise ratio and the very low levels of x-ray flux required.



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