Model c8484 05g

Myotube contractions were recorded as pixel differentials with a Hamamatsu digital camera (Model C8484-05G) [18 (link)]. The video data were analyzed in Python using the OpenCV library. Briefly, the pixel values of the first frame of the video was subtracted from the pixel values of all subsequent frames, quantifying the degree to which subsequent frames differed from the first. In each experiment, the cells were maintained in N2 media and imaged using an upright Zeiss microscope (Zeiss Hal 100). The videos were recorded using a Hamamatsu digital camera (Model C8484-05G) and analyzed in ImageJ and LabView. The camera was capable of high speed acquisition (50 frames per second) when sampling a subset of pixels such as those corresponding to a contracting myotube. The average pixel intensity from a region of interest (ROI) was plotted in real time to measure contractile amplitude and frequency. A program written in LabVIEW was utilized in controlling the stimulus generator, thereby enabling synchronization with the detector. Muscle contractions in synchronization with stimulations were considered as induced contractions which were different from spontaneous contractions.