University of Eastern Finland

6 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Behavior

Flat-floored Air-lifted Platform: A New Method for Combining Behavior with Microscopy or Electrophysiology on Awake Freely Moving Rodents

Mikhail Kislin¹, Ekaterina Mugantseva¹, Dmitry Molotkov¹, Natalia Kulesskaya¹, Stanislav Khirug¹, Ilya Kirilkin², Evgeny Pryazhnikov^1,2, Julia Kolikova², Dmytro Toptunov², Mikhail Yuryev¹, Rashid Giniatullin³, Vootele Voikar⁴, Claudio Rivera¹, Heikki Rauvala¹, Leonard Khiroug¹

¹Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, ²Neurotar LTD, ³A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, ⁴Laboratory Animal Center, University of Helsinki

This method creates a tangible, familiar environment for the mouse to navigate and explore during microscopic imaging or single-cell electrophysiological recordings, which require firm fixation of the animal’s head.

Neuroscience

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Protocol for Stroke Onset Time Estimation in Permanent Cerebral Ischemia

Bryony L. McGarry^*1, Kimmo T. Jokivarsi^*2, Michael J. Knight¹, Olli H.J. Grohn², Risto A. Kauppinen¹

¹School of Experimental Psychology and Clinical Research and Imaging Center Bristol, University of Bristol, ²Department of Neurobiology, A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland

A protocol for stroke onset time estimation in a rat model of stroke exploiting quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) parameters is described. The procedure exploits diffusion MRI for delineation of the acute stroke lesion and quantitative T₁ and T₂ (qT₁ and qT₂) relaxation times for timing of stroke.

Medicine

Large Animal Model for Evaluating the Efficacy of the Gene Therapy in Ischemic Heart

Henna Korpela¹, Satu Siimes¹, Seppo Ylä-Herttuala¹

¹A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland

Myocardial gene therapy for ischemic heart disease holds great promise for future therapeutics. Here, we introduce a large animal model for evaluating the efficacy of gene therapy in the ischemic heart.

Medicine

A State-of-the-Art Method for Preserving Residual Hearing During Cochlear Implant Surgery

Aarno Dietz^1,2, Pia Linder¹, Matti Iso-Mustajärvi¹

¹Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kuopio University Hospital, ²School of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland

The preservation of cochlear structures and possible residual hearing is one important factor to consider during cochlear implant surgery. Here, we present a state-of-the-art method for preserving residual hearing during cochlear implant surgery under local anesthesia.

Medicine

Preclinical Evaluation of Coronary Artery Stents

Jarkko P. Hytönen^1,2,3, Seppo Ylä-Herttuala^1,2

¹A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, ²Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, ³Saparo Translational Research

New coronary artery stent designs and materials must be tested before clinical use in relevant preclinical models. Here we describe an atherosclerotic rabbit aorta model and a pig coronary artery model for stent research with in vivo and histological analyses.

Genetics

Exercise Test for Evaluation of the Functional Efficacy of the Pig Cardiovascular System

Anni Määttä^*1, Niko Järveläinen^*1, Jaakko Lampela¹, Seppo Ylä-Herttuala^1,2

¹A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, ²Heart Center and Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital

The present protocol describes a large animal exercise test model to assess the functional capacity of the cardiovascular system for evaluating the efficiency of new therapies in the preclinical setting. It is comparable to a clinical exercise test.