Name: establishing a device for sleep deprivation in mice
Uploaded: 2023-09-22T14:10:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Establishing a Device for Sleep Deprivation in Mice at JoVE.com

This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82230014, 81930007, 82270342), the Shanghai Outstanding Academic Leaders Program (18XD1402400), the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (22QA1405400, 201409005200, 20YF1426100), Shanghai Pujiang Talent Program (2020PJD030), SHWSRS(2023-62), Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine (19MC1910500), and Postgraduate Innovation Program of Bengbu Medical College (Byycxz21075).

All animal experimental protocols in this study were approved by the Laboratory Animal Welfare Ethics Committee of Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Male C57BL/6J mice, aged between 8 to 10 weeks, were used in the study. The animals were obtained from a commercial source (see Table of Materials). The major parts required for establishing the device are listed in Figure 1A.
1. Preparation of the sleep deprivat...

<ol>
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Mouse models of sleep deprivation are essential for studying the effects of sleep disruption on various diseases, including cardiovascular disease21, psychiatric conditions22, and neurological disorders23. Among the existing sleep deprivation strategies in mice, physical approaches that involve repetitive short-term interruption of sleep are the most commonly used5,7,<sup class="xr...

Circadian rhythm disruption refers to the desynchronization between the external environment or behavior and the endogenous biological clock. One of the most common causes of circadian rhythm disruption is sleep deprivation1. Sleep deprivation not only negatively affects human health but also significantly increases the risk of many diseases, including cancer2 and cardiovascular diseases3. However, the mechanisms underlying the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation remain largely unknown, and establishing sleep deprivation models is essential to enhance our understanding in this regard.
Various methods for sleep deprivation in mice have been reported, such as the use of water platforms4, gentle handling5, sliding bar chambers6, rotating drums7, and cage agitation protocols5,8,9. Sliding bar chambers automatically sweep bars across the bottom of the cage, forcing the mice to walk over them and stay awake. Cage agitation protocols involve placing cages on laboratory orbital shakers, resulting in efficient sleep disruption. While these methods are automatic and effective, they can be expensive when multiple devices are required to run in parallel, especially for specific study designs that involve a large number of sleep-deprived mice needed for circadian gene profiling. On the other hand, water platforms and gentle handling protocols are cheaper and simpler methods commonly used to induce sleep deprivation. However, the water platform does not allow automatic control of prespecified deprivation-rest cycles10,11, and gentle handling requires continuous vigilance from the researchers to disturb sleep. Additionally, other modalities, like rotating drums, can be confounded by social isolation or stress12.
Inspired by the orbital shaker-based method, we aim to introduce a protocol for establishing a rocker platform-based device for sleep deprivation in mice. This method is cheap, effective, minimally stressful, controllable, and automated. The current protocol allows us to create a rocker platform-based device at a cost approximately ten times cheaper than that of orbital shakers, based on our accessibility. This device effectively disrupted sleep in group-housed mice and induced characteristic changes of sleep deprivation with minimal stress response. It will be especially useful for researchers interested in investigating the effects and underlying mechanisms of sleep deprivation on the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, particularly when the study involves multiple-group sleep deprivation in parallel.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>1.5 mL microcentrifuge tube</td>
			<td>Axygen</td>
			<td>MCT-150-C-S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50 mL centrifuge tube</td>
			<td>NEST</td>
			<td>602002</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Adenosine ELISA kit</td>
			<td>Ruifan technology</td>
			<td>RF8885</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Animal cage</td>
			<td>ZeYa tech</td>
			<td>MJ2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Blood glucose meter</td>
			<td>YuYue</td>
			<td>580</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>C57BL/6J Mice</td>
			<td>JieSiJie Laboratory Animal</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Age: 8-10 weeks</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Connecting rod</td>
			<td>ShengXiang Tech</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Length:&#160; 20 cm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cooling fan</td>
			<td>LiMing</td>
			<td>EFB0805VH</td>
			<td>Supply voltage: 5 V; Power consumption: 1.2 W; Air flow: 26.92 cfm; Dimensions: 40 mm * 40 mm * 56 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corticosterone ELISA kit</td>
			<td>Elabscience</td>
			<td>E-OSEL-M0001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EEG/EMG recording and analysis system</td>
			<td>Pinnacle Technology</td>
			<td>8200-K1-iSE3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isoflurane</td>
			<td>RWD</td>
			<td>20071302</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>mosquito hemostats</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>13011-12</td>
			<td>Surgical instrument</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Motor and motor mount</td>
			<td>MingYang</td>
			<td>MY36GP-555</td>
			<td>Supply voltage: 24 V dc; Shaft diameter: 8 mm; Maximum output torque: 100 Kgf.cm; Maximum output speed: 10 rpm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NanoDrop 2000c</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>NanoDrop 2000c</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Power brick adapter</td>
			<td>MingYang</td>
			<td>QiYe-0243</td>
			<td>Input voltage: 110-220V ac; Output voltage: 24 V dc; Outputcurrent: 2 A; Cable length: 2 m</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>qPCR commercial kit</td>
			<td>Vazyme</td>
			<td>Q711-02</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>qPCR measurement equipment</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>480</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rectangle platform attached with a screw-compatible steel cylinder</td>
			<td>Customized</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Width: 20 cm; length: 25 cm; length of the cylinder: 30 cm, thickness: 2 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Reverse RNA to cDNA commercial kit</td>
			<td>Vazyme</td>
			<td>R323-01</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Screw and nut</td>
			<td>Guwanji</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Inner diameter: 6 mm, 12 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Screw-compatible steel cylinder</td>
			<td>Customized</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Length: 300 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Slotted steel channels</td>
			<td>Customized</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Length: 400 mm or 500 mm, thickness: 2 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Time contactor</td>
			<td>LiXiang</td>
			<td>DH48S-S</td>
			<td>Supply voltage: 110-220 V ac; Units measured: hours, minutes, seconds; Contact configuration: DPDT</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TRIzol</td>
			<td>Vazyme</td>
			<td>R401-01</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

establishing a device for sleep deprivation in mice

Circadian rhythm disruption refers to the desynchronization between the external environment or behavior and the endogenous molecular clock, which significantly impairs health. Sleep deprivation is one of the most common causes of circadian rhythm disruption. Various modalities (e.g., platforms on the water, gentle handling, sliding bar chambers, rotating drums, orbital shakers, etc.) have been reported for inducing sleep deprivation in mice to investigate its effects on health. The current study introduces an alternative method for sleep deprivation in mice. An automated rocker platform-based device was designed that is cost-effective and efficiently disrupts sleep in group-housed mice at adjustable time intervals. This device induces characteristic changes of sleep deprivation with minimal stress response. Consequently, this method may prove useful for investigators interested in studying the effects and underlying mechanisms of sleep deprivation on the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. Moreover, it offers a cost-effective solution, particularly when multiple sleep deprivation devices are required to run in parallel.

The established device for sleep deprivation in mice is shown in Figure 1D. At day 7 after sleep deprivation commencement, electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) monitoring16 indicated that the device significantly reduced sleep duration and increased wakefulness duration in mice (Figure 2A-D). Meanwhile, the current protocol significantly increased adenosine build-up and mRNA levels of <em...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Establishing a Device for Sleep Deprivation in Mice at JoVE.com

Establishing a Device for Sleep Deprivation in Mice

The present protocol outlines a method for setting up a cost-effective rocker platform-based device used for inducing sleep deprivation in mice. This device has proven to be effective in causing disruptions in electroencephalogram (EEG)-evidenced sleep patterns, as well as inducing metabolic and molecular changes associated with sleep deprivation.

Circadian rhythm disruption refers to the desynchronization between the external environment or behavior and the endogenous molecular clock, which ...

The mechanisms underlying the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation remain largely unknown, and establishing sleep deprivation models is essential to enhance our understanding in this regard. This method, they are cheap, effective, minimally stressful, controllable, and automated. The current protocol allows us to create a rocker platform based device at a cost approximately 10 times cheaper than that of orbital shakers based on our accessibility.Begin by securing one end of a 50-centimeter slotted steel channel at the middle of a 40-centimeter slotted steel channel with screws. This will make a T-shaped structure. Position the two T-shaped structures upright 30 centimeters apart.Connect the bottoms of structures with a 30-centimeter screw-compatible steel cylinder using screws. Then place a steel rectangle platform in between the two T-shaped structures. Secure each end of a 30-centimeter screw-compatible steel cylinder with two bearings.Using screws, fix a motor mount on one of the T-shaped structures 25 centimeters down from the top. Now install a motor onto this motor mount with screws. Secure a cooling fan with self-locking bands on the T-shaped structure below the motor.Using screws, fix the bearing end of a connecting rod to a platform corner facing the motor and the other end to the motor shaft. Next, use an electric drill to make two four-millimeter holes at each corner of a plastic container. On the left side of the container, drill two additional four-millimeter holes, along with one lower six-millimeter hole.Lock the plastic container on the rectangle platform using self-locking bands through the drilled corner holes. Secure the water bottle on the left side of the plastic container using self-locking bands through the two four-millimeter holes, with the nozzle going through the six-millimeter hole. Now connect the output electrical wires of the power brick adapter to the two terminals of the motor.Then connect the input wires to the time contactor. Press the rightmost sign buttons on the left and right halves of the time contactor respectively until M appears on the mechanical counters on both sides. Follow this action by pressing the middle sign buttons on both halves of the time contactor until 5M appears on the mechanical counters.Complete this setup by pressing the leftmost sign button on the left half of the time contactor until 15M appears on the left mechanical counter. Next, place the mouse in the cage. Then power the time contactor and the cooling fan.At day seven after sleep deprivation commencement, EEG and EMG monitoring indicated that the sleep deprivation device significantly reduced sleep duration and increased wakefulness duration in mice. Compared to the control, increased levels of successful sleep deprivation markers such as adenosine buildup and Homer1a mRNA levels in the brain were observed. However, no significant changes in serum corticosterone levels were observed.After seven days of sleep deprivation, a significant decrease in mice size, body, and thymus weight was observed. Additionally, glucose tolerance was significantly impaired in mice after sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation also revealed a significant change in the expression patterns of clock genes in the brain, indicating a disruption of the molecular clock.Balance of the connecting rod and the relative position of the connecting rod between the steel rectangle platform and the motor are the most important things. The researcher can use this technique to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of sleep deprivation on various health conditions.

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Medicine

Parabiosis in Mice: A Detailed Protocol

Parabiosis is a surgical union of two organisms allowing sharing of the blood circulation. Attaching the skin of two animals promotes formation of microvasculature at the site of inflammation. Parabiotic partners share their circulating antigens and thus are free of adverse immune reaction. First described by Paul Bert in 18641, the parabiosis surgery was refined by Bunster and Meyer in 1933 to improve animal survival2. In the current protocol, two mice are surgically joined following a modification of the Bunster and Meyer technique. Animals are connected through the elbow and knee joints followed by attachment of the skin allowing firm support that prevents strain on the sutured skin. Herein, we describe in detail the parabiotic joining of a ubiquitous GFP expressing mouse to a wild type (WT) mouse. Two weeks after the procedure, the pair is separated and GFP positive cells can be detected by flow cytometric analysis in the blood circulation of the WT mouse. The blood chimerism allows one to examine the contribution of the circulating cells from one animal in the other.

Parabiotic joining of two organisms leads to the development of a shared circulatory system. In this protocol, we describe the surgical steps to form a parabiotic connection between a wild-type mouse and a constitutive GFP-expressing mouse.

Parabiosis is a surgical union of two organisms allowing sharing of the blood circulation. Attaching the skin of two animals promotes formation of ...

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention

One desirable endpoint of general anesthesia is the state of unconsciousness, also known as hypnosis. Defining the hypnotic state in animals is less straightforward than it is in human patients. A widely used behavioral surrogate for hypnosis in rodents is the loss of righting reflex (LORR), or the point at which the animal no longer responds to their innate instinct to avoid the vulnerability of dorsal recumbency. We have developed a system to assess LORR in 24 mice simultaneously while carefully controlling for potential confounds, including temperature fluctuations and varying gas flows. These chambers permit reliable assessment of anesthetic sensitivity as measured by latency to return of the righting reflex (RORR) following a fixed anesthetic exposure. Alternatively, using stepwise increases (or decreases) in anesthetic concentration, the chambers also enable determination of a population's sensitivity to induction (or emergence) as measured by EC50 and Hill slope. Finally, the controlled environmental chambers described here can be adapted for a variety of alternative uses, including inhaled delivery of other drugs, toxicology studies, and simultaneous real-time monitoring of vital signs.

Loss of the righting reflex has long served as a standard behavioral surrogate for unconsciousness, also called hypnosis, in laboratory animals. Alterations in volatile anesthetic sensitivity caused by pharmacological interventions can be detected with a carefully controlled high-throughput assessment system, which may be adapted for delivery of any inhaled therapeutic.

One desirable endpoint of general anesthesia is  the state of unconsciousness, also known as hypnosis. Defining the hypnotic state in animals is  less ...

Carotid Artery Infusions for Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Analysis of Taxanes in Mice

When proposing the use of a drug, drug combination, or drug delivery into a novel system, one must assess the pharmacokinetics of the drug in the study model. As the use of mouse models are often a vital step in preclinical drug discovery and drug development1-8, it is necessary to design a system to introduce drugs into mice in a uniform, reproducible manner. Ideally, the system should permit the collection of blood samples at regular intervals over a set time course. The ability to measure drug concentrations by mass-spectrometry, has allowed investigators to follow the changes in plasma drug levels over time in individual mice1, 9, 10. In this study, paclitaxel was introduced into transgenic mice as a continuous arterial infusion over three hours, while blood samples were simultaneously taken by retro-orbital bleeds at set time points. Carotid artery infusions are a potential alternative to jugular vein infusions, when factors such as mammary tumors or other obstructions make jugular infusions impractical. Using this technique, paclitaxel concentrations in plasma and tissue achieved similar levels as compared to jugular infusion. In this tutorial, we will demonstrate how to successfully catheterize the carotid artery by preparing an optimized catheter for the individual mouse model, then show how to insert and secure the catheter into the mouse carotid artery, thread the end of the catheter out through the back of the mouse&#8217;s neck, and hook the mouse to a pump to deliver a controlled rate of drug influx. Multiple low volume retro-orbital bleeds allow for analysis of plasma drug concentrations over time.

This method was developed with the goal of delivering a steady drug solution via the carotid artery, to assess the pharmacokinetics of novel drugs in mouse models.

When proposing the use of a drug, drug combination, or drug delivery into a novel system, one must assess the pharmacokinetics of the drug in the study ...

A Simple Critical-sized Femoral Defect Model in Mice

While bone has a remarkable capacity for regeneration, serious bone trauma often results in damage that does not properly heal. In fact, one tenth of all limb bone fractures fail to heal completely due to the extent of the trauma, disease, or age of the patient. Our ability to improve bone regenerative strategies is critically dependent on the ability to mimic serious bone trauma in test animals, but the generation and stabilization of large bone lesions is technically challenging. In most cases, serious long bone trauma is mimicked experimentally by establishing a defect that will not naturally heal. This is achieved by complete removal of a bone segment that is larger than 1.5 times the diameter of the bone cross-section. The bone is then stabilized with a metal implant to maintain proper orientation of the fracture edges and allow for mobility. 
Due to their small size and the fragility of their long bones, establishment of such lesions in mice are beyond the capabilities of most research groups. As such, long bone defect models are confined to rats and larger animals. Nevertheless, mice afford significant research advantages in that they can be genetically modified and bred as immune-compromised strains that do not reject human cells and tissue.
Herein, we demonstrate a technique that facilitates the generation of a segmental defect in mouse femora using standard laboratory and veterinary equipment. With practice, fabrication of the fixation device and surgical implantation is feasible for the majority of trained veterinarians and animal research personnel. Using example data, we also provide methodologies for the quantitative analysis of bone healing for the model.

Animal models are frequently employed to mimic serious bone injury in biomedical research. Due to their small size, establishment of stabilized bone lesions in mice are beyond the capabilities of most research groups. Herein, we describe a simple method for establishing and analyzing experimental femoral defects in mice.

While bone has a remarkable capacity for regeneration, serious bone trauma often results in damage that does not properly heal. In fact, one tenth of all ...

Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation and Reoxygenation as an In Vitro Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Model for Studying Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction

Ischemia-Reperfusion (IR) injury is known to contribute significantly to the morbidity and mortality associated with ischemic strokes. Ischemic cerebrovascular accidents account for 80% of all strokes. A common cause of IR injury is the rapid inflow of fluids following an acute/chronic occlusion of blood, nutrients, oxygen to the tissue triggering the formation of free radicals.
Ischemic stroke is followed by blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and vasogenic brain edema. Structurally, tight junctions (TJs) between the endothelial cells play an important role in maintaining the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). IR injury is an early secondary injury leading to a non-specific, inflammatory response. Oxidative and metabolic stress following inflammation triggers secondary brain damage including BBB permeability and disruption of tight junction (TJ) integrity.
Our protocol presents an in vitro example of oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD-R) on rat brain endothelial cell TJ integrity and stress fiber formation. Currently, several experimental in vivo models are used to study the effects of IR injury; however they have several limitations, such as the technical challenges in performing surgeries, gene dependent molecular influences and difficulty in studying mechanistic relationships. However, in vitro models may aid in overcoming many of those limitations. The presented protocol can be used to study the various molecular mechanisms and mechanistic relationships to provide potential therapeutic strategies. However, the results of in vitro studies may differ from standard in vivo studies and should be interpreted with caution.

Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation and Reoxygenation as an In Vitro Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Model for Studying Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction

Ischemia-Reperfusion (IR) injury is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The goal of the in vitro model of oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD-R) described here is to assess the effects of ischemia reperfusion injury on a variety of cells, particularly in blood-brain barrier (BBB) endothelial cells.

Ischemia-Reperfusion (IR) injury is known to contribute significantly to the morbidity and mortality associated with ischemic strokes. Ischemic ...

A Simple Device to Rapidly Prepare Whole Mounts of the Mouse Intestine

Preparing whole mounts of the mouse small intestine and colon for subsequent analysis or quantification can be time consuming and difficult. We describe the use of a simple device to cut and &#8216;roll&#8217; mouse intestines to rapidly prepare whole mount preparations of superior and uniform quality to that which can be achieved by hand. The device comprises a base that holds 4 stainless steel rods and a top, which acts a cutting guide. The rods are inserted into the lumen of the small intestine [divided into thirds] and the colon. The rods and samples are then placed over a piece of filter paper or card into the holding slots in the base of the device. The top of the device is then positioned and serves as a cutting guide. The two angled sections in the center of the top piece are used to guide a knife or scalpel and cut the intestines longitudinally on the top of the rods. Once the intestinal sections have been cut, the top is removed and the card,&#160;tissue and rods gently removed from the device and placed on the bench. The rods are then gently rolled sideways to flatten and stick the intestinal segments onto the underlying piece of filter paper or card. The final preparation can then be examined or fixed and stored for later analysis. The preparations are invaluable for the study of intestinal changes in normal or genetically modified mouse models. The preparations have been used for the study and quantification of the effects of inflammation (colitis), damage, pre-cancerous lesions (aberrant crypt foci (ACFs) and mucin depleted foci (MDFs)) and polyps or tumors.

The use of a simple device to cut and &#8216;roll&#8217; mouse intestines to rapidly prepare whole mount preparations is described.

Preparing whole mounts of the mouse small intestine and colon for subsequent analysis or quantification can be time consuming and difficult. We describe ...

Creation of Abdominal Adhesions in Mice

Abdominal adhesions consist of fibrotic tissue that forms in the peritoneal space in response to an inflammatory insult, typically surgery or intraabdominal infection. The precise mechanisms underlying adhesion formation are poorly understood. Many compounds and physical barriers have been tested for their ability to prevent adhesions after surgery with varying levels of success. The mouse and rat are important models for the study of abdominal adhesions. Several different techniques for the creation of adhesions in the mouse and rat exist in the literature. Here we describe a protocol utilizing abrasion of the cecum with sandpaper and sutures placed in the right abdominal sidewall. The mouse is anesthetized and the abdomen is prepped. A midline laparotomy is created and the cecum is identified. Sandpaper is used to gently abrade the surface of the cecum. Next, several figure-of-eight sutures are placed into the peritoneum of the right abdominal sidewall. The abdominal cavity is irrigated, a small amount of starch is applied, and the incision is closed. We have found that this technique produces the most consistent adhesions with the lowest mortality rate.

Abdominal adhesions that form after surgery are a major cause of pain, infertility, and hospitalization and reoperation for small bowel obstruction. Our surgical procedure for creating abdominal adhesions in mice is a reliable tool to study the mechanisms underlying the formation of adhesions.

Abdominal adhesions consist of fibrotic tissue that forms in the peritoneal space in response to an inflammatory insult, typically surgery or ...

A Detailed Protocol for Perspiration Monitoring Using a Novel, Small, Wireless Device

Perspiration monitoring can be utilized for the detection of certain diseases, such as thermoregulation and mental disorders, particularly when the patients are unaware of such disorders or are having difficulty expressing their symptoms. Until now, several devices for perspiration monitoring have been developed; however, such devices tend to have a relatively large exterior, considerable power consumption, and/or less sensitivity.
Recently, we developed a small, wireless device for perspiration monitoring. The device consists of a temperature/relative humidity (T/RH) sensor, battery-driven small data logger, and silica gel as a desiccant in a small cylindrical exterior. The T/RH sensor is placed between the detection windows (through which the water vapor from the skin enters) and the silica gel. The underlying principle of the perspiration monitoring device is based on Fick&#39;s law of diffusion, which means that water vapor flux from the skin to the silica gel (i.e.&#160;transepidermal water loss and perspiration) can be captured by change in humidity at the T/RH sensor. In addition, a baseline subtraction method was adopted to distinguish perspiration and transepidermal water loss.
As shown in the previous report, the developed device can monitor the perspiration at any sites of the body in an easy, wireless manner. However, detailed methods of how to use the device have not been disclosed yet. In this article, therefore, we would like to show the point-by-point tutorials of how to use the device for perspiration monitoring, by showing the sympathetic activity test with the sympathetic skin response monitoring as an example.

Recently, we developed a small wireless device for perspiration monitoring. In this article, we present detailed protocols on how to use the device for perspiration monitoring with an example of the sympathetic activity test.

Perspiration monitoring can be utilized for the detection of certain diseases, such as thermoregulation and mental disorders, particularly when the ...

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults

The gold standard for sleep monitoring is attended in-lab polysomnography; however, this method may be cost-prohibitive and inconvenient for patients and research participants. Home sleep testing has gained momentum in the field of sleep medicine due to its convenience and lower cost, as well as being more naturalistic. The accuracy and quality of home sleep testing, however, may be variable because studies are not monitored by sleep technologists. There has been some success in improving the accuracy of home sleep studies by having trained sleep technicians assist participants inside their homes with putting on the devices, but this can be intrusive and time-consuming for those involved. In this protocol, participants undergo at-home sleep monitoring with multiple devices: 1) a single-channel EEG device; 2) a home sleep test for sleep-disordered breathing and periodic limb movements; 3) actigraphy; and 4) sleep logs. A major challenge of this study is obtaining high-quality sleep monitoring data on the first attempt in order to minimize participant burden. This protocol describes the implementation of educational manuals with step-by-step instructions and photos. The goal is to improve the quality of home sleep testing.

Here, we present a protocol to improve the quality of data from home sleep testing by providing a method to enhance instructions through a structured participant visit. This protocol includes the implementation of a step-by-step educational manual with photos to ensure proper placement of equipment.

The gold standard for sleep monitoring is attended in-lab polysomnography; however, this method may be cost-prohibitive and inconvenient for patients and ...

Establishing In Situ Closed Circuit Perfusion of Lower Abdominal Organs and Hind Limbs in Mice

Ex vivo perfusion is an important physiological tool to study the function of isolated organs (e.g. liver, kidneys). At the same time, due to the small size of mouse organs, ex vivo perfusion of bone, bladder, skin, prostate, and reproductive organs is challenging or not feasible. Here, we report for the first time an in situ lower body perfusion circuit in mice that includes the above tissues, but bypasses the main clearance organs (kidney, liver, and spleen). The circuit is established by cannulating the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava above the iliac artery and vein and cauterizing peripheral blood vessels. Perfusion is performed via a peristaltic pump with perfusate flow maintained for up to 2 h. In situ staining with fluorescent lectin and Hoechst solution confirmed that the microvasculature was successfully perfused. This mouse model can be a very useful tool for studying pathological processes as well as mechanisms of drug delivery, migration/metastasis of circulating tumor cells into/from the tumor, and interactions of immune system with perfused organs and tissues.

A protocol is described for in situ perfusion of the mouse lower body, including the bladder, the prostate, sex organs, bone, muscle and foot skin.

Ex vivo perfusion is an important physiological tool to study the function of isolated organs (e.g. liver, kidneys). At the same time, due to the small ...