combined-mechanical-enzymatic-dissociation-mouse-brain-hippocampal

Combined Mechanical and Enzymatic Dissociation of Mouse Brain Hippocampal Tissue

This neural dissociation protocol (an adaptation of the protocol accompanying a commercial adult brain dissociation kit) optimizes tissue processing in ...

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women and it is estimated that about 30% of newly diagnosed cancers in women will be breast cancers. While advancements in treating breast cancer have led to an average 5-year survival rate of 90%, many survivors experience cognitive impairments as a result of chemotherapy treatment. Doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and docetaxel (TAC) are commonly administered as breast cancer treatments; however, there are few studies that have tested the cognitive effects of TAC. In the current study, 12-week-old female C57BL/6 mice received 4 weekly intraperitoneal injections of either saline or a combination therapy of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by 4 weekly docetaxel injections. Four weeks after the last injection, mice were tested for hippocampus-dependent cognitive performance in the Y-maze and the Morris water maze. During Y-maze testing, mice exposed to TAC exhibited impairment. During the water maze assessment, all animals were able to locate the visible and hidden platform locations. However, mice that received the TAC presented with a significant impairment in spatial memory retention on the probe trial days. TAC treatment significantly decreases the dendritic complexity of arborization in the dentate gyrus region of the hippocampus. In addition, comparative proteomic analysis revealed downregulation of proteins within key metabolic and signaling pathways associated with cognitive dysfunction, such as oxidative phosphorylation, ephrin signaling, and calcium signaling.

Cognitive impairment resulting from treatment with docetaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide.

Artificial extracellular matrices (aECMs) are an extension of biomaterials that were developed as  model environments for tissue cells that mimic the native in vivo target tissues' structure. This bibliometric analysis evaluated the research productivity regarding aECM based on tissue engineering technology. The Web of Science citation index was examined for articles published from 1990 through 2019 using three distinct aECM‑related topic sets. Data were also visualized using network analyses (VOSviewer). Terms related to  scaffolds, collagen, hydrogels, and differentiation were reoccurring in the aECM‑related literature over time. Publications with terms related to a clinical direction (wound healing, stem cells, artificial skin,  and bone regeneration) have steadily increased, as have the number of countries and institutions involved in the artificial extracellular matrix. As progress with 3D scaffolds continues to advance, it will become the most promising technology to provide a therapeutic option to repair or replace damaged tissue.

A Bibliometric Review of Artificial Extracellular Matrices Based on Tissue Engineering Technology Literature: 1990 through 2019.

In the past few years, breast cancer has become the most prevalent type of cancer. The majority of patients receive combinatorial chemotherapy treatments, which may result in increased risk of developing drug resistance, a reduced quality of life, and substantial side effects. Treatment modalities that could lessen the physical toll of standard treatments or act in synergy with chemotherapeutic treatments would benefit women worldwide. Research into tocotrienols has thus far demonstrated their potential to be such an agent, with tocotrienols surpassing the pharmacological potential of tocopherols. Further research using in vitro and preclinical breast cancer models to support clinical trials is needed. This review uses bibliometric analysis to highlight this gap in research and summarizes the current and future landscape of tocotrienols as an anti-breast cancer agent.

Pilar Simmons

Division of Radiation Health,
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Combined Mechanical and Enzymatic Dissociation of Mouse Brain Hippocampal Tissue

Pilar Simmons

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Division of Radiation Health,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Combined Mechanical and Enzymatic Dissociation of Mouse Brain Hippocampal Tissue

Division of Radiation Health,
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences