An automated imaging system for radiation biodosimetry

We describe here an automated imaging system developed at the Center for High Throughput Minimally Invasive Radiation Biodosimetry. The imaging system is built around a fast, sensitive sCMOS camera and rapid switchable LED light source. It features complete automation of all the steps of the imaging process and contains built‐in feedback loops to ensure proper operation. The imaging system is intended as a back end to the RABiT—a robotic platform for radiation biodosimetry. It is intended to automate image acquisition and analysis for four biodosimetry assays for which we have developed automated protocols: The Cytokinesis Blocked Micronucleus assay, the γ‐H2AX assay, the Dicentric assay (using PNA or FISH probes) and the RABiT‐BAND assay. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:587–598, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Cellular and Molecular Nature of Fragmentation of Human Embryos

Embryo fragmentation represents a phenomenon generally characterized by the presence of membrane-bound extracellular cytoplasm into the perivitelline space. Recent evidence supports the cellular and molecular heterogeneity of embryo fragments. In this narrative review, we described the different embryo fragment-like cellular structures in their morphology, molecular content, and supposed function and have reported the proposed theories on their origin over the years. We identified articles related to characterization of embryo fragmentation with a specific literature search string. The occurrence of embryo fragmentation has been related to various mechanisms, of which the most studied are apoptotic cell death, membrane compartmentalization of altered DNA, cytoskeletal disorders, and vesicle formation. These phenomena are thought to result in the extrusion of entire blastomeres, release of apoptotic bodies and other vesicles, and micronuclei formation. Different patterns of fragmentation may have different etiologies and effects on embryo competence. Removal of fragments from the embryo before embryo transfer with the aim to improve implantation potential should be reconsidered on the basis of the present observations     

荞麦芽提取物抗突变和抑制肿瘤作用的实验研究

对荞麦芽提取物的抗突变和抗肿瘤作用进行研究,为开发荞麦的保健作用提供依据。实验以小鼠骨髓细胞微核实验观察荞麦芽提取物的抗突变作用,以小鼠S-180移植性肿瘤观察荞麦芽提取物的抗肿瘤效果。结果显示,荞麦芽提取物对N-甲基-N-硝基-N-亚硝基胍（MNNG）诱发的小鼠骨髓细胞微核的发生有明显的抑制效果,其中荞麦芽乙醇提取物、乙酸乙酯提取物、正丁醇提取物在80mg/kg度下,对小鼠骨髓微核的抑制率达73.4%、75.8%、74.2%;对小鼠S-180移植性肿瘤生长也有明显的抑制作用,其中荞麦芽乙醇提取物、乙酸乙酯提取物的抑瘤率达39.5%、38.0%。说明荞麦芽对体细胞DNA损伤有保护作用,对肿瘤也有一定的预防作用。