Okayama University

9 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Immunology and Infection

Intravital Imaging of Neutrophil Priming Using IL-1β Promoter-driven DsRed Reporter Mice

Yi Yao^1,2, Yun Liu^1,3, Akira Takashima¹

¹Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, ²Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, ³Department of Pathophysiology, Southern Medical University (China)

This current protocol employs fluorescent reporters, in vivo labeling, and intravital imaging techniques to enable monitoring of the dynamic process of neutrophil priming in living animals.

Biology

Practical Use of RNA Interference: Oral Delivery of Double-stranded RNA in Liposome Carriers for Cockroaches

Jia-Hsin Huang¹, Yun Liu¹, Yu-Hsien Lin^1,2,3, Xavier Belles⁴, How-Jing Lee¹

¹Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University, ²Biology Centre, Institute of Entomology, Czech Academy of Sciences, ³Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, ⁴Institute of Evolutionary Biology, CSIC-UPF

This manuscript demonstrates the depletion of gene expression in the midgut of the German cockroach through oral ingestion of double-stranded RNA encapsulated in liposomes.

Chemistry

Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals

Masaki Hada¹, Shohei Saito², Ryuma Sato³, Kiyoshi Miyata⁴, Yasuhiko Hayashi¹, Yasuteru Shigeta³, Ken Onda⁴

¹Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, ²Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, ³Center for Computational Sciences, University of Tsukuba, ⁴Graduate School of Science, Kyushu University

Here, we present the protocols of differential-detection analyses of time-resolved infrared vibrational spectroscopy and electron diffraction which enable observations of the deformations of local structures around photoexcited molecules in a columnar liquid crystal, giving an atomic perspective on the relationship between the structure and the dynamics of this photoactive material.

Medicine

Dual Bioluminescence Imaging of Tumor Progression and Angiogenesis

Kaiyue Zhang¹, Chen Wang¹, Ran Wang², Shang Chen¹, Zongjin Li¹

¹Nankai University School of Medicine, ²State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University

This protocol describes the establishment of a tumor-bearing mouse model to monitor tumor progression and angiogenesis in real-time by dual bioluminescence imaging.

Medicine

Model of Ischemic Heart Disease and Video-Based Comparison of Cardiomyocyte Contraction Using hiPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes

Yun Liu^*1, Yin Liang^*1, Mengxue Wang^*1, Chen Wang¹, Heng Wei², Keiji Naruse¹, Ken Takahashi¹

¹Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, ²Institute of Laboratory Animals, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University

We present a model of ischemic heart disease using cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells, together with a method for quantitative evaluation of tissue damage caused by ischemia. This model can provide a useful platform for drug screening and further research on ischemic heart disease.

Behavior

Tactile Semiautomatic Passive-Finger Angle Stimulator (TSPAS)

Wu Wang¹, Jiajia Yang^2,4, Yinghua Yu^2,3,4, Qiong Wu^5,2, Satoshi Takahashi², Yoshimichi Ejima², Jinglong Wu^6,2

¹Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, ²Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, ³Center for Information and Neural Networks, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, ⁴Section on Functional Imaging Methods, National Institute of Mental Health, ⁵School of Education, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, ⁶Beijing Institute of Technology

Presented is the tactile semiautomated passive-finger angle stimulator TSPAS, a new way to assess tactile spatial acuity and tactile angle discrimination using a computer-controlled tactile stimulus system that applies raised angle stimuli to a subject's passive fingerpad, while controlling for movement speed, distance, and contact duration.

Biology

Microsurgical Obstruction of Testes Fusion in Spodoptera litura

Xiaolin He^*1, Qianqian Ma^*1, Baozhu Jian¹, Yucheng Liu¹, Qiong Wu¹, Meixin Chen¹, Qili Feng¹, Ping Zhao², Lin Liu¹

¹South China Normal University-Shipai Campus: South China Normal University, ²Southwest University

Aluminum foil was microsurgically inserted between the testes of Spodoptera litura to obstruct the fusion of testis. The procedure includes freezing, fixing, disinfection, incision, placing the barrier, suturing, postoperative feeding, and inspection. This approach provides a method to interfere with tissue formation.

Neuroscience

A Pilot Study on the Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of Aβ and Tau Levels in Rhesus Monkey Cerebrospinal Fluid

Ling-Yi Liao^1,2,3, Ying-Qian Zhang⁴, Benson Wui-Man Lau⁵, Qiong Wu⁶, Zi-Yan Fan^1,3, Qiang Gao^1,3, Zhi-Hui Zhong^6,7

¹Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, ²Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, ³Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, ⁴Department of physiology, Southwest Medical University, ⁵Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, ⁶Laboratory of Nonhuman Primate Disease Modeling Research, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, ⁷Sichuan Kangcheng Biotech Co., Inc.

Here, we describe the procedure for a pilot study to explore the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation with different frequencies (1 Hz/20 Hz/40 Hz) on Aβ and tau metabolism in rhesus monkey cerebrospinal fluid.

Immunology and Infection

Culturing Lymphocytes in Simulated Microgravity Using a Rotary Cell Culture System

Marieke de Korte^1,2, Armand Keating^1,2,4, Chen Wang^1,3

¹Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, ²Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, ³Pathology and Lab Medicine, Hematopathology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health Systems, ⁴Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

This is a step-by-step guide for using a commercially available rotary cell culture system to culture lymphocytes in simulated microgravity using specialized disposable culture vessels. This culturing method may be applied to any suspension-type cell culture.