University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

6 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Immunology and Infection

Orthotopic Hind-Limb Transplantation in Rats

Robert Sucher^*1, Rupert Oberhuber^*1, Christian Margreiter¹, Guido Rumberg¹, Rishi Jindal², WP Andrew Lee², Raimund Margreiter¹, Johann Pratschke¹, Stefan Schneeberger¹, Gerald Brandacher¹

¹Department of Visceral, Transplant, and Thoracic Surgery, Daniel Swarovski Research Laboratory, Innsbruck Medical University, ²Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Here we describe the orthotopic rat hind-limb transplantation procedure, which seems to be the gold standard in vivo model for composite tissue allotransplantation research.

Neuroscience

In vivo Optogenetic Stimulation of the Rodent Central Nervous System

Michelle M. Sidor¹, Thomas J. Davidson², Kay M. Tye³, Melissa R. Warden⁴, Karl Diesseroth^2,5, Colleen A. McClung¹

¹Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, ²Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, ³Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, ⁴Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, ⁵Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University

Optogenetics has become a powerful tool for use in behavioral neuroscience experiments. This protocol offers a step-by-step guide to the design and set-up of laser systems, and provides a full protocol for carrying out multiple and simultaneous in vivo optogenetic stimulations compatible with most rodent behavioral testing paradigms.

Cancer Research

A Model for Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Phillip Huyett¹, Mark Gilbert¹, Lijun Liu², Robert L. Ferris², Seungwon Kim¹

¹Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, ²University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Hillman Cancer Center

Perineural invasion (PNI) is a common feature of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), conferring lower survival rates. Its mechanisms are poorly understood. Utilizing neurites generated from murine dorsal root ganglia confined to a semisolid matrix, the pathways involved in the PNI of HNSCC cell lines can be investigated.

Immunology and Infection

Analysis of ¹⁸FDG PET/CT Imaging as a Tool for Studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Treatment in Non-human Primates

Alexander G. White^*1, Pauline Maiello^*1, M. Teresa Coleman¹, Jaime A. Tomko¹, L. James Frye¹, Charles A. Scanga¹, Philana Ling Lin², JoAnne L. Flynn¹

¹Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, ²Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Here, we present a protocol to describe the analysis of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging in non-human primates that have been infected with M. tuberculosis to study disease process, drug treatment, and disease reactivation.

Behavior

Operative Technique and Nuances for the Stereoelectroencephalographic (SEEG) Methodology Utilizing a Robotic Stereotactic Guidance System

Amir H. Faraji¹, Zachary C. Gersey^2,3, Danielle M. Corson^2,3, James C. Sweat^2,3, Jorge A. Gonzalez-Martinez^2,3

¹Department of Neurological Surgery, Houston Methodist, ²Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, ³Epilepsy Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

The SEEG methodology is simplified and made faster with a stereotactic robot. Careful attention must be paid to the registration of the preoperative volumetric MRI to the patient prior to use of the robot in the OR. The robot streamlines the procedure, leading to decreased operative times and accurate implantations.

Medicine

Technical Detail for Robot Assisted Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Alex C. Kim¹, Rebecca C. Rist¹, Amer H. Zureikat¹

¹Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

The following manuscript details a stepwise approach to the robot-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy performed at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.