JoVE Logo

Sign In

Duquesne University

12 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

image

Biology

A Tactile Automated Passive-Finger Stimulator (TAPS)
Daniel Goldreich 1,2, Michael Wong 2, Ryan M. Peters 2, Ingrid M. Kanics 1
1Department of Occupational Therapy, Duquesne University, 2Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University

We describe a computer-controlled device for investigating the sense of touch: the Tactile Automated Passive-finger Stimulator (TAPS). We describe the components of TAPS, and show how TAPS is used to administer a two-interval forced-choice tactile grating orientation test.

image

Biology

Viability Assays for Cells in Culture
Jessica M. Posimo 1, Ajay S. Unnithan 1, Amanda M. Gleixner 1, Hailey J. Choi 1, Yiran Jiang 1, Sree H. Pulugulla 1, Rehana K. Leak 1
1Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mylan School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University

Therapeutic compounds are often first examined in vitro with viability assays. Blind cell counts by a human observer can be highly sensitive to small changes in cell number but do not assess function. Computerized viability assays, as described here, can assess both structure and function in an objective manner.

image

Medicine

Urinary Bladder Distention Evoked Visceromotor Responses as a Model for Bladder Pain in Mice
Katelyn E. Sadler 1, Jarred M. Stratton 1, Benedict J. Kolber 1
1Department of Biological Sciences and Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University

Approximately 3-8 million people in the United States suffer from interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), a debilitating condition characterized in part by pelvic pain. In order to study nervous system contributions to the condition, a physiological model of urinary bladder pain is used in mice and rats.

image

Medicine

A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes
Caroline J. Ketcham 1, Eric Hall 1, Walter R. Bixby 1, Srikant Vallabhajosula 2, Stephen E. Folger 2, Matthew C. Kostek 3, Paul C. Miller 1, Kenneth P. Barnes 1, Kirtida Patel 4
1Department of Exercise Science, Elon University, 2Department of Physical Therapy Education, Elon University, 3Department of Physical Therapy, Duquesne University, 4Department of Sports Medicine, Elon University

There is great variability in an individual’s risk for concussion and their corresponding recovery. A multifaceted approach to concussion evaluation is warranted; including baseline testing of athletes before participation in sport and timely evaluation post injury. The goal of this protocol is to provide an appropriate multifaceted approach to examine concussions.

image

Immunology and Infection

Promoting 3-D Aggregation of FACS Purified Thymic Epithelial Cells with EAK 16-II/EAKIIH6 Self-assembling Hydrogel
Asako Tajima 1, Wen Liu 2, Isha Pradhan 1, Suzanne Bertera 1, Robert A. Lakomy 1, William A. Rudert 1, Massimo Trucco 1,3, Wilson S. Meng 2, Yong Fan 1,3
1Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network, 2Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mylan School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, 3Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University

This video demonstrates a protocol to enrich thymic epithelial cells (TECs) with density gradient for FACS isolation. It also shows the use of EAK16-II/EAKIIH6 peptides to promote the TEC aggregate formation. The microenvironments of EAK16-II/EAKIIH6 hydrogel provide the 3-D configuration necessary to maintain the survival and function of the TECs.

image

Behavior

A Protocol of Manual Tests to Measure Sensation and Pain in Humans
Matthew Kostek 1,2, Anna Polaski 1,3, Benedict Kolber 1,3, Austin Ramsey 1, Alexander Kranjec 1,4, Kimberly Szucs 1,5
1Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, 2Department of Physical Therapy, Duquesne University, 3Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, 4Department of Psychology, Duquesne University, 5Department of Occupational Therapy, Duquesne University

The goal of this procedure is to demonstrate a battery of quantitative techniques for sensory and pain measurement in humans. The equipment and techniques described are commonly found in pain clinics or are easy to obtain.

image

Engineering

Evanescent Field Based Photoacoustics: Optical Property Evaluation at Surfaces
Benjamin S. Goldschmidt 1, Anna M. Rudy 2, Charissa A. Nowak 3, Yowting Tsay 3, Paul J. D. Whiteside 3, Heather K. Hunt 3
1Biomedical Engineering, Duquesne University, 2Department of Computer Science, University of Missouri, 3Department of Bioengineering, University of Missouri

Here we present a protocol to estimate material and surface optical properties using the photoacoustic effect combined with total internal reflection. This technique evanescent field-based photoacoustics can be used to create a photoacoustic metrology system to estimate materials' thicknesses, bulk and thin film refractive indices, and explore their optical properties.

image

Biology

Applications of pHluorin for Quantitative, Kinetic and High-throughput Analysis of Endocytosis in Budding Yeast
Derek C. Prosser 1, Kristie Wrasman 1, Thaddeus K. Woodard 1, Allyson F. O’Donnell 2, Beverly Wendland 1
1Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, 2Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University

Accurate quantification of vesicular trafficking events often provides key insights into roles for specific proteins and the effects of mutations. This paper presents methods for using superecliptic pHluorin, a pH-sensitive GFP variant, as a tool for quantification of endocytic events in living cells using quantitative fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry.

image

Immunology and Infection

Visual and Microscopic Evaluation of Streptomyces Developmental Mutants
Jennifer A. Bennett 1, Garrett V. Kandell 1, Sean G. Kirk 1, Joseph R. McCormick 2
1Department of Biology and Earth Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program, Otterbein University, 2Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University

Here we present protocols for novice researchers to initiate phenotyping for the pharmacologically important bacterial genus Streptomyces.

image

Biology

Reverse Dissection and DiceCT Reveal Otherwise Hidden Data in the Evolution of the Primate Face
Anne M. Burrows 1,2, Kailey M Omstead 1, Ashley R Deutsch 3,5, Justin T. Gladman 4, Adam Hartstone-Rose 3
1Department of Physical Therapy, Duquesne University, 2Department of Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh, 3College of Sciences, North Carolina State University, 4Shared Materials Instrumentation Facility, Duke University, 5Department of Anthropology, University of Florida

Facial expressions are a mode of visual communication produced by mimetic muscles. Here, we present protocols for the novel techniques of reverse dissection and DiceCT to fully visualize and assess mimetic muscles. These combined techniques can examine both morphological and physiological aspects of mimetic musculature to determine functional aspects.

image

Bioengineering

Lucifer Yellow - A Robust Paracellular Permeability Marker in a Cell Model of the Human Blood-brain Barrier
Wanzhu Zhao 1, Linjiang Han 1, Younsoo Bae 2, Devika S. Manickam 1
1Department of Pharmaceutical, Administrative and Social Sciences, Duquesne University, 2Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky

We present a fluorescence assay to demonstrate that Lucifer Yellow (LY) is a robust marker to determine the apparent paracellular permeability of hCMEC/D3 cell monolayers, an in vitro model of the human blood-brain barrier. We used this assay to determine the kinetics of a confluent monolayer formation in cultured hCMEC/D3 cells.

image

Medicine

A New Best Practice for Validating Tail Vein Injections in Rat with Near-infrared-Labeled Agents
Muzamil Saleem *1,2,3, Andrea M. Stevens *1,2,3, Brooke Deal 1,2,3, Lu Liu 3,4, Jelena Janjic 3,4, John A. Pollock 1,2,3
1Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Duquesne University, 2Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, 3Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, 4Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University

Here we present a method to validate tail vein injections in rats by utilizing near-infrared fluorescence imaging data from dyes incorporated into agents or biological probes. The tail is imaged before and after the injection, the fluorescent signal is quantified, and an assessment of the injection quality is made.

JoVE Logo

Privacy

Terms of Use

Policies

Research

Education

ABOUT JoVE

Copyright © 2024 MyJoVE Corporation. All rights reserved