JoVE Monthly Highlights: May 2017

Protocol

Using Wavelet Entropy to Demonstrate how Mindfulness Practice Increases Coordination between Irregular Cerebral and Cardiac Activities

Hin Hung Sik¹, Junling Gao^1,2, Jicong Fan¹, Bonnie Wai Yan Wu¹, Hang Kin Leung¹, Yeung Sam Hung²

¹Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, ²Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong

This manuscript describes how to use the wavelet entropy index to analyze high-density electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) data. We show that the irregularity of cerebral and cardiac activities became more coordinated during mindfulness-based stress reduction practice.

Cardiac Muscle Cell-based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - Part 2

Neerajha Nagarajan*¹, Merrel T. Holley*², Christian Danielson², Kidong Park², Pinar Zorlutuna¹

¹Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, ²Division of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Louisiana State University

In this study, a biological actuator and a self-stabilizing, swimming biorobot with functionalized elastomeric cantilever arms are seeded with cardiomyocytes, cultured, and characterized for their biochemical and biomechanical properties over time.

NMR Spectroscopy as a Robust Tool for the Rapid Evaluation of the Lipid Profile of Fish Oil Supplements

Kathryn Williamson¹, Emmanuel Hatzakis^1,2

¹Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, ²Foods for Health Discovery Theme, The Ohio State University

Here, high-resolution ¹H and ¹³C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used as a rapid and reliable tool for quantitative and qualitative analysis of encapsulated fish oil supplements.

Flash-and-Freeze: A Novel Technique to Capture Membrane Dynamics with Electron Microscopy

Shuo Li*^1,2, Sumana Raychaudhuri*¹, Shigeki Watanabe^1,3

¹Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, ²Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, ³Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

We developed a novel technique in electron microscopy, "flash-and-freeze," that enables the visualization of membrane dynamics with ms temporal resolution. This technique combines the optogenetic stimulation of neurons with high-pressure freezing. Here, we demonstrate the procedures and describe the protocols in detail.