BioAFMviewer: An interactive interface for simulated AFM scanning of biomolecular structures and dynamics.

We provide a stand-alone software, the BioAFMviewer, which transforms biomolecular structures into the graphical representation corresponding to the outcome of atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments. The AFM graphics is obtained by performing simulated scanning over the molecular structure encoded in the corresponding PDB file. A versatile molecular viewer integrates the visualization of PDB structures and control over their orientation, while synchronized simulated scanning with variable spatial resolution and tip-shape geometry produces the corresponding AFM graphics. We demonstrate the applicability of the BioAFMviewer by comparing simulated AFM graphics to high-speed AFM observations of proteins. The software can furthermore process molecular movies of conformational motions, e.g. those obtained from servers which model functional transitions within a protein, and produce the corresponding simulated AFM movie. The BioAFMviewer software provides the platform to employ the plethora of structural and dynamical data of proteins in order to help in the interpretation of biomolecular AFM experiments.

Trichomonas Detection in Leucorrhea Based on VIBE Method.

Trichomonas examination is one of the important items in the leucorrhea routine detection. And it cannot be recognized by still images because of the unstable morphology and unfixed focal location caused by motion characteristic. We proposed an improved VIBE algorithm. 6 videos (totally 1414 frames) are collected for testing. In order to compare the effects of the algorithms, we segment each frame artificially as ground truth. Experiments show that percentage of correct classification (PCC) achieves 88%. The proposed improved method can effectively suppress the false detection caused by the formed components such as epithelial cells in the leucorrhea microscopic image and the missed detection caused by the background model update during the movement. At the same time, improvements can effectively suppress smear and ghost areas. The algorithm proposed in this paper can be integrated into the leucorrhea automatic detection system.

Digital photography: a primer for pathologists.

The computer and the digital camera provide a unique means for improving hematology education, research, and patient service. High quality photographic images of gross specimens can be rapidly and conveniently acquired with a high-resolution digital camera, and specialized digital cameras have been developed for photomicroscopy. Digital cameras utilize charge-coupled devices (CCD) or Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors to measure light energy and additional circuitry to convert the measured information into a digital signal. Since digital cameras do not utilize photographic film, images are immediately available for incorporation into web sites or digital publications, printing, transfer to other individuals by email, or other applications. Several excellent digital still cameras are now available for less than 2,500 dollars that capture high quality images comprised of more than 6 megapixels. These images are essentially indistinguishable from conventional film images when viewed on a quality color monitor or printed on a quality color or black and white printer at sizes up to 11x14 inches. Several recent dedicated digital photomicroscopy cameras provide an ultrahigh quality image output of more than 12 megapixels and have low noise circuit designs permitting the direct capture of darkfield and fluorescence images. There are many applications of digital images of pathologic specimens. Since pathology is a visual science, the inclusion of quality digital images into lectures, teaching handouts, and electronic documents is essential. A few institutions have gone beyond the basic application of digital images to developing large electronic hematology atlases, animated, audio-enhanced learning experiences, multidisciplinary Internet conferences, and other innovative applications. Digital images of single microscopic fields (single frame images) are the most widely utilized in hematology education at this time, but single images of many adjacent microscopic fields can be stitched together to prepare "zoomable" panoramas that encompass a large part of a microscope slide and closely simulate observation through a real microscope. With further advances in computer speed and Internet streaming technology, the virtual microscope could easily replace the real microscope in pathology education. Later in this decade, interactive immersive computer experiences may completely revolutionize hematology education and make the conventional lecture and laboratory format obsolete. Patient care is enhanced by the transmission of digital images to other individuals for consultation and education, and by the inclusion of these images in patient care documents. In research laboratories, digital cameras are widely used to document experimental results and to obtain experimental data.

An automated multi well cell track system to study leukocyte migration.

Design of automated image processing systems to determine migration characteristics of individual cells is not trivial. Every test sample requires separate recording and the analysis of individual cell tracks in two- or three-dimensional migration systems by time-lapse microscopy is extremely laborious. Here, we describe a new Automated Cell Track System (ACTS). In addition to contrast differences, which are used by existing analysis systems, the ACTS algorithms recognize cells on the basis of morphological similarities in successive images and adapt to the continuous shape changes of individual cells during migration. The system facilitates simultaneous analysis of multiple cells and the measurement of multiple wells in one single experiment. We validated the system studying HSB-2 T cell migration in standard 96-well microtiter plates coated with ICAM-1-Fc protein or control CD14-Fc protein. Migration of HSB-2 T cells on ICAM-1-Fc is Leukocyte Function-associated Antigen-1 (LFA-1)-mediated and both the number and the speed of migrating cells depend on the ICAM-1-Fc concentration. We show that automated analysis of the migration data yields similar results as manual analysis, but in a fraction of the time. We conclude that this system is extremely well suited to precisely monitor the migratory behavior of individual cells. The analysis of multiple wells in parallel makes this set-up appropriate in high throughput screening in which multiple components are simultaneously tested for their effect on cell migration.

Direct video-microscopic observation of the dynamic effects of medical ultrasound on ultrasound contrast microspheres.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Ultrasound can cause destruction of microbubble contrast agents used to enhance medical ultrasound imaging. This study sought to characterize the dynamics of this interaction by direct visual observation of microbubbles during insonification in vitro by a medical ultrasound imaging system. METHODS: Video microscopy was used to observe air-filled sonicated albumin microspheres adsorbed to a solid support during insonation. RESULTS: Deflation was not observed at lowest transmit power settings. At higher intensities, gas left the microparticle gradually, apparently dissolving into the surrounding medium. Deflation was slower for higher microsphere surface densities. Intermittent ultrasound imaging (0.5 Hz refresh rate) caused slower deflation than continuous imaging (33 Hz). CONCLUSIONS: Higher concentrations of microbubbles, lower ultrasound transmit power settings, and intermittent imaging each can reduce the rate of destruction of microspheres resulting from medical ultrasound insonation.