Microfluidic cell fragmentation for mechanical phenotyping of cancer cells

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) shed from the primary tumor undergo significant fragmentation in the microvasculature, and very few escape to instigate metastases. Inspired by this in vivo behavior of CTCs, we report a microfluidic method to phenotype cancer cells based on their ability to arrest and fragment at a micropillar-based bifurcation. We find that in addition to cancer cell size, mechanical properties determine fragmentability. We observe that highly metastatic prostate cancer cells are more resistant to fragmentation than weakly metastatic cells, providing the first indication that metastatic CTCs can escape rupture and potentially initiate secondary tumors. Our method may thus be useful in identifying phenotypes that succumb to or escape mechanical trauma in microcirculation.     

Childhood Physical Fitness and Performance as Predictors of High School Sport Participation

ABSTRACT

Participation in youth sport is positively associated with physical fitness and performance. The purpose of the current study was to examine if physical fitness measures during childhood and early adolescence predicted high school sport participation. Participants included youth in the Michigan State University Motor Performance Study. Measures consisted of the endurance shuttle run, Wells sit-and-reach, jump and reach, standing long jump, agility shuttle run and 30-yard dash. Individual, generalized estimating equation models were used to estimate the association between each measure and the odds of participating in high school sport. For both sexes, the endurance shuttle run and agility shuttle run were related to sport participation. For boys only, the long jump and 30-yard dash were also associated with sport participation. Better physical fitness and performance across several dimensions in childhood, including those related to motor skills, enhanced the likelihood of sport participation in high school.