Questo lavoro è stato finanziato da borse di studio CIRM # TR-1250, RT1-01108, e-CL1 00.502.

Nota: Tutte le procedure sugli animali deve essere approvato dal IACUC o equivalente. Tutte le attrezzature chirurgiche devono essere sterilizzati prima dell&#39;intervento chirurgico. Guanti sterili, garze e drappi devono essere utilizzati. 1. Preparazione prima dell&#39;intervento <ol><li> Ottenere 6 settimane vecchie Mus musculus CbySmn.CB17 Prkdc-SCID / J topi maschi o altro ceppo immunocompromessi del mouse. </li><li> Sterilizzare tutti gli strumenti chirurgici, guanti e garze. </li><li> Dissociano hPSCs deve essere iniettato con accutase. </li><li> Contare le cellule e risospendere 1.000.000 cellule per 20-30 pl in matrigel diluito 1:1 in DMEM/F-12. Mantenere le cellule in ghiaccio fino al termine. </li><li> Si noti che spesso è utile fare una corsa attraverso dell&#39;esperimento in cui viene iniettato Trypan Blue. Questo aiuterà ad identificare i potenziali problemi prima che le cellule sono sprecati. </li><li> Nel vivarium, anestetizzare il mouse in base alle procedure accettate presso l&#39;istituto. Nei nostri esperimenti, abbiamo utilizzato un AnesthESIA macchina con isoflurano. I topi sono stati inizialmente messi in una camera di induzione con l&#39;ossigeno e il 3-4% 1L/min isoflurano. Una volta anestetizzato, un cono con l&#39;ossigeno e il 2-3% 1L/min isoflurano è stato utilizzato. </li><li> Shave l&#39;addome con un rasoio, e pulire la parete anteriore dell&#39;addome topo, a partire dal centro del ventre e di lavoro verso l&#39;esterno in senso orario. In primo luogo l&#39;uso povidone-iodio soluzione quindi lavare con etanolo al 70%. Ripetere 3 volte, ogni volta cambiando tamponi. Trasferire l&#39;animale a una piastra elettrica per mantenere l&#39;animale caldo all&#39;interno di una coltura di tessuto o cappuccio dissezione. </li><li> Effettuare una incisione 1 centimetro longitudinale attraverso la cute e peritoneo sterili con forbici chirurgiche appena sotto il livello dell&#39;articolazione dell&#39;anca. </li><li> Tenendo il peritoneo con le pinze, raggiungere verso il fianco destro con un altro forcept sterile ed estrarre il tessuto grasso bianco con testicoli collegati. </li><li> Posizionare i testicoli su garza sterile. </li><li> Riempire un (1 cc) tubercolina o wi siringa Hamiltoni th hPSCs da iniettare. Si noti che è una buona idea di includere una linea di controllo hPSC che si sa è pluripotenti come WA09 (noto anche come H9). In questo modo si dispone di un controllo positivo che è possibile utilizzare per determinare se l&#39;iniezione o l&#39;intervento chirurgico era difettosa. </li><li> Iniettare lentamente il hPSCs (20-30 ml) nel centro della capsula testicolo lontano da vasi sanguigni più grandi, fermandosi se la capsula testicolare inizia a gonfiarsi. </li><li> Rimuovere l&#39;ago lentamente per evitare il riflusso delle cellule. </li><li> Utilizzando pinze, trasferire i testicoli e schiena tessuto adiposo nella sua posizione originale nell&#39;addome. </li><li> Primo piano il peritoneo con 2 o 3 punti di sutura riassorbibili e chiudere la pelle con autoclips. </li><li> Il mouse deve essere tenuto caldo fino a quando non recupera e dato qualche forma di analgesico (vedi ciò che è accettato nel Vivarium) dopo l&#39;intervento chirurgico due volte al giorno per 1-2 giorni. Si noti che né l&#39;anestesia né l&#39;analgesico con interferire con lo sviluppo del tumore. </li><li> Monitorare °animale e per la crescita del tumore per 6-12 settimane. Molto raramente, tumori possono crescere a 5 mm di dimensioni precedenti a 6 settimane dopo l&#39;iniezione, quindi è importante monitorare gli animali. In questo caso, gli animali devono essere sacrificati ed i tumori trattati ed analizzati come al solito. </li><li> Una volta che il tumore è palpabile e raggiunge circa 5 millimetri di dimensioni, anestetizzare il mouse e il sacrificio secondo le procedure di animali accettati protocollo. </li><li> Rimuovere tumorale e di conseguenza il documento - fotografia formato, misura, pesare. </li><li> Tagliare in piccoli pezzi del tumore e fissare in una soluzione di paraformaldeide al 4%. Conservare in paraformaldeide al 4% fino campioni sono inviati ad un patologo di sezionamento, colorazione e analisi. </li></ol> 2. Rappresentativi Risultati: Quando questo protocollo è effettuata come descritto e la linea cellulare è iniettato pluripotenti, uno palpabile, visivamente evidente, tumore dovrebbe formare entro 12 settimane al massimo. Per le linee stabilite hPSC come WA09, di solito si vedatumori entro 6 settimane. Per le linee IPSC non è raro vedere i tumori entro 8-10 settimane. È molto importante per iniettare topi con una linea che è noto per essere pluripotenti, come controllo positivo, per essere sicuri che la procedura è stata eseguita correttamente. I tumori di solito guardano molto eterogeneo e hanno molte cisti allegati (Figura 1). L&#39;analisi dei campioni tumorali da un patologo deve mostrare tessuti differenziati da tutti i tre strati germinali (Figura 2). <img alt="Figura 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/3177/3177fig1.jpg" /> Figura 1. Tipica teratoma hPSC derivato nella capsula testicolo. Seguendo il protocollo descritto, un milione WA09 cellule sono state iniettate nella capsula testicolo di un topo immune compromesso. Sei settimane dopo, un teratoma è stata osservata. A) teratoma tirato dal mouse. B) Primo piano immagine del teratoma. Notare le strutture eterogeneità e cisti. <img alt="Figura 2" src = &quot;/ files/ftp_upload/3177/3177fig2.jpg&quot; /&gt; Figura 2. Ematossilina Eosina e le sezioni colorate dal teratoma mostrano tessuti provenienti da ogni strato germinale. Dopo fissazione, il teratoma era sezionati e colorati con ematossilina ed eosina. Analisi da un patologo rivelato la presenza di cellule provenienti da ciascuno dei 3 strati germinali.

<ol>
	<li>Bradley, A., Evans, M., Kaufman, M. H., Robertson, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Formation+of+germ-line+chimaeras+from+embryo-derived+teratocarcinoma+cell+lines.">Formation of germ-line chimaeras from embryo-derived teratocarcinoma cell lines.</a> Nature. 309, 255-255 (1984).</li><li>Evans, M. J., Kaufman, M. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Establishment+in+culture+of+pluripotential+cells+from+mouse+embryos.">Establishment in culture of pluripotential cells from mouse embryos.</a> Nature. 292, 154 (1981).</li><li>Martin, G. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+of+a+pluripotent+cell+line+from+early+mouse+embryos+cultured+in+medium+conditioned+by+teratocarcinoma+stem+cells.">Isolation of a pluripotent cell line from early mouse embryos cultured in medium conditioned by teratocarcinoma stem cells.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 78, 7634-7634 (1981).</li><li>Downing, G. J., Battey, J. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Technical+assessment+of+the+first+20+years+of+research+using+mouse+embryonic+stem+cell+lines.">Technical assessment of the first 20 years of research using mouse embryonic stem cell lines.</a> Stem Cells. 22, 1168-1168 (2004).</li><li>Thomson, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Embryonic+stem+cell+lines+derived+from+human+blastocysts.">Embryonic stem cell lines derived from human blastocysts.</a> Science. 282, 1145-1145 (1998).</li><li>Reubinoff, B. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Embryonic+stem+cell+lines+from+human+blastocysts:+somatic+differentiation+in+vitro.">Embryonic stem cell lines from human blastocysts: somatic differentiation in vitro.</a> Nat Biotechnol. 18, (2000).</li><li>Muller, F. J., Goldmann, J., Loser, P., Loring, J. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+call+to+standardize+teratoma+assays+used+to+define+human+pluripotent+cell+lines.">A call to standardize teratoma assays used to define human pluripotent cell lines.</a> Cell Stem Cell. 6, 412-412 (2010).</li><li>Brivanlou, A. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stem+cells.+Setting+standards+for+human+embryonic+stem+cells.">Stem cells. Setting standards for human embryonic stem cells.</a> Science. 300, 913-913 (2003).</li><li>Lensch, M. W., Schlaeger, T. M., Zon, L. I., Daley, G. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Teratoma+formation+assays+with+human+embryonic+stem+cells:+a+rationale+for+one+type+of+human-animal+chimera.">Teratoma formation assays with human embryonic stem cells: a rationale for one type of human-animal chimera.</a> Cell Stem Cell. 1, 253-25 (2007).</li><li>Gertow, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Organized+development+from+human+embryonic+stem+cells+after+injection+into+immunodeficient+mice.">Organized development from human embryonic stem cells after injection into immunodeficient mice.</a> Stem. Cells. Dev. 13, 421-421 (2004).</li><li>Gertow, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+of+human+embryonic+stem+cell-derived+teratomas+for+the+assessment+of+pluripotency.">Isolation of human embryonic stem cell-derived teratomas for the assessment of pluripotency.</a> Curr Protoc Stem Cell Biol. Chapter 1, Unit1B 4-Unit1B 4 (2007).</li></ol>

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Il metodo qui presentato fornisce un mezzo altamente affidabili, semplici per generare teratomi dal hPSCs nella capsula testicolo. Ci sono diversi parametri critici di questa tecnica. In particolare, è importante iniettare hPSC linee cellulari che sono noti per essere pluripotenti come controllo. Altri parametri importanti includono l&#39;intervallo di tempo tra l&#39;iniezione e l&#39;osservazione del tumore. Per le linee cellulari come WA09, teratomi deve essere osservato in 6-8 settimane. Per le nuove linee di IPSC troviamo che spesso sono necessarie 10 settimane. Un altro problema è il numero di cellule iniettate. Abbiamo iniettare un milione di cellule, ma il test può essere fatto facilmente con meno cellule. Inoltre, il mezzo di iniezione è importante. Troviamo che si ottengono i migliori risultati quando le cellule vengono iniettate in una miscela 1:1 di Matrigel e DMEM/F-12, al contrario di PBS o DMEM/F-12.

<table border="1"><tbody><tr><td> Nome del reattivo </td><td> Azienda </td><td> Numero di catalogo </td></tr><tr><td> Accutase </td><td> Invitrogen </td><td> A1110501 </td></tr><tr><td> DMEM/F-12 </td><td> Invitrogen </td><td> 113300-032 </td></tr><tr><td> Matrigel </td><td> BD Biosciences </td><td> 354277 </td></tr></tbody></table>

teratoma generation in the testis capsule

Le cellule staminali pluripotenti (PSC) hanno la caratteristica unica che possono differenziarsi in cellule provenienti da tutti i tre strati germinali. Questo li rende uno strumento potenzialmente utile per il trattamento di molte malattie diverse. Con l&#39;avvento delle cellule staminali pluripotenti indotte (iPSCs) e la ricerca continua con cellule staminali embrionali umane (hESC) vi è la necessità di analisi che possono dimostrare che una linea di cellule pluripotenti particolare. La trasmissione germinale è il gold standard per dimostrare la pluripotence di cellule staminali embrionali del mouse (MESC) linee 1,2,3. Usando questo test, i ricercatori in grado di dimostrare che una linea MESC può fare tutti i tipi di cellule nell&#39;embrione comprese le cellule germinali 4. Con la generazione di umana ESC linee 5,6, il dosaggio appropriato per dimostrare pluripotence di queste cellule è stata chiara, dato che i CES umani non possono essere testati per la trasmissione germinale. Come un surrogato, il saggio teratoma è attualmente utilizzato per dimostrare la pluripotrenza di cellule staminali umane pluripotenti (hPSCs) 7,8,9. Anche se questo test è di recente oggetto di esame e le nuove tecnologie vengono attivamente esplorate, il saggio teratoma è il gold standard attuale 7. In questo saggio, le cellule in questione sono iniettate in un topo immune compromesso. Se le cellule sono pluripotenti, un teratoma si svilupperà e le sezioni del tumore mostrerà i tessuti da tutti i 3 strati germinali 10. Nel saggio teratoma, hPSCs può essere iniettato in zone diverse del mouse. I siti di iniezione più comuni includono la capsula testicolo, la capsula rene, il fegato, o nella gamba per via sottocutanea o intramuscolare 11. Qui si descrive un protocollo robusto per la generazione di teratomi dal hPSCs utilizzando la capsula testicolo come luogo per la crescita tumorale.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Teratoma Generation in the Testis Capsule at JoVE.com

Teratoma Generation in the Testis Capsule

Cellule staminali pluripotenti (hPSCs) hanno il potenziale per trattare una miriade di diverse malattie. L&#39;utilità di queste cellule risiede nel fatto che essi possono differenziarsi in qualsiasi tipo di cellula del corpo. Qui si descrive il saggio teratoma, che viene utilizzato per dimostrare l&#39;pluripotence di hPSCs.

Generation teratoma nella Capsule Testicolo

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have the unique characteristic that they can differentiate into cells from all three germ layers.  This makes them a ...

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Research

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Medicine

20.7K Views.  Scripps Research Institute. Cellule staminali pluripotenti (hPSCs) hanno il potenziale per trattare una miriade di diverse malattie. L'utilità di queste cellule risiede nel fatto che essi possono differenziarsi in qualsiasi tipo di cellula del corpo. Qui si descrive il saggio teratoma, che viene utilizzato per dimostrare l'pluripotence di hPSCs.

Video: Teratoma Generation in the Testis Capsule

Making Sense of Listening: The IMAP Test Battery

The ability to hear is only the first step towards making sense of the range of information contained in an auditory signal. Of equal importance are the abilities to extract and use the information encoded in the auditory signal. We refer to these as listening skills (or auditory processing AP). Deficits in these skills are associated with delayed language and literacy development, though the nature of the relevant deficits and their causal connection with these delays is hotly debated.
When a child is referred to a health professional with normal hearing and unexplained difficulties in listening, or associated delays in language or literacy development, they should ideally be assessed with a combination of psychoacoustic (AP) tests, suitable for children and for use in a clinic, together with cognitive tests to measure attention, working memory, IQ, and language skills. Such a detailed examination needs to be relatively short and within the technical capability of any suitably qualified professional. Current tests for the presence of AP deficits tend to be poorly constructed and inadequately validated within the normal population. They have little or no reference to the presenting symptoms of the child, and typically include a linguistic component. Poor performance may thus reflect problems with language rather than with AP. To assist in the assessment of children with listening difficulties, pediatric audiologists need a single, standardized child-appropriate test battery based on the use of language-free stimuli.
We present the IMAP test battery which was developed at the MRC Institute of Hearing Research to supplement tests currently used to investigate cases of suspected AP deficits. IMAP assesses a range of relevant auditory and cognitive skills and takes about one hour to complete. It has been standardized in 1500 normally-hearing children from across the UK, aged 6-11 years. Since its development, it has been successfully used in a number of large scale studies both in the UK and the USA. IMAP provides measures for separating out sensory from cognitive contributions to hearing. It further limits confounds due to procedural effects by presenting tests in a child-friendly game-format. Stimulus-generation, management of test protocols and control of test presentation is mediated by the IHR-STAR software platform. This provides a standardized methodology for a range of applications and ensures replicable procedures across testers. IHR-STAR provides a flexible, user-programmable environment that currently has additional applications for hearing screening, mapping cochlear implant electrodes, and academic research or teaching.

A test battery (IMAP) for performing an in-depth assessment of auditory and cognitive abilities contributing to listening skills is described. It is quick to administer, child-friendly and free from linguistic confounds. Stimulus generation and protocol management are controlled via a software platform (IHR-STAR) to ensure replicable procedures.

Making Sense di Ascolto: La batteria di test IMAP

The ability to hear is only the first step towards making sense of the range of information contained in an auditory signal. Of equal importance are the ...

Ricerca

Medicina

A Strategy to Identify de Novo Mutations in Common Disorders such as Autism and Schizophrenia

There are several lines of evidence supporting the role of de novo mutations as a mechanism for common disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia. First, the de novo mutation rate in humans is relatively high, so new mutations are generated at a high frequency in the population. However, de novo mutations have not been reported in most common diseases. Mutations in genes leading to severe diseases where there is a strong negative selection against the phenotype, such as lethality in embryonic stages or reduced reproductive fitness, will not be transmitted to multiple family members, and therefore will not be detected by linkage gene mapping or association studies. The observation of very high concordance in monozygotic twins and very low concordance in dizygotic twins also strongly supports the hypothesis that a significant fraction of cases may result from new mutations. Such is the case for diseases such as autism and schizophrenia. Second, despite reduced reproductive fitness1 and extremely variable environmental factors, the incidence of some diseases is maintained worldwide at a relatively high and constant rate. This is the case for autism and schizophrenia, with an incidence of approximately 1% worldwide. Mutational load can be thought of as a balance between selection for or against a deleterious mutation and its production by de novo mutation. Lower rates of reproduction constitute a negative selection factor that should reduce the number of mutant alleles in the population, ultimately leading to decreased disease prevalence. These selective pressures tend to be of different intensity in different environments. Nonetheless, these severe mental disorders have been maintained at a constant relatively high prevalence in the worldwide population across a wide range of cultures and countries despite a strong negative selection against them2. This is not what one would predict in diseases with reduced reproductive fitness, unless there was a high new mutation rate. Finally, the effects of paternal age: there is a significantly increased risk of the disease with increasing paternal age, which could result from the age related increase in paternal de novo mutations. This is the case for autism and schizophrenia3. The male-to-female ratio of mutation rate is estimated at about 4&#x2013;6:1, presumably due to a higher number of germ-cell divisions with age in males. Therefore, one would predict that de novo mutations would more frequently come from males, particularly older males4. A high rate of new mutations may in part explain why genetic studies have so far failed to identify many genes predisposing to complexes diseases genes, such as autism and schizophrenia, and why diseases have been identified for a mere 3% of genes in the human genome. Identification for de novo mutations as a cause of a disease requires a targeted molecular approach, which includes studying parents and affected subjects. The process for determining if the genetic basis of a disease may result in part from de novo mutations and the molecular approach to establish this link will be illustrated, using autism and schizophrenia as examples.

Molecular genetic strategy for finding de novo mutations causing common disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.

Una strategia per identificare le mutazioni de novo nei disturbi comuni come autismo e schizofrenia

There are several lines of evidence supporting the role of de novo mutations as a mechanism for common disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia. First, ...

Technical Aspects of the Mouse Aortocaval Fistula

Technical aspects of creating an arteriovenous fistula in the mouse are discussed. Under general anesthesia, an abdominal incision is made, and the aorta and inferior vena cava (IVC) are exposed. The proximal infrarenal aorta and the distal aorta are dissected for clamp placement and needle puncture, respectively. Special attention is paid to avoid dissection between the aorta and the IVC. After clamping the aorta, a 25 G needle is used to puncture both walls of the aorta into the IVC. The surrounding connective tissue is used for hemostatic compression. Successful creation of the AVF will show pulsatile arterial blood flow in the IVC. Further confirmation of successful AVF can be achieved by post-operative Doppler ultrasound.

The goal is to produce an arteriovenous fistula that is simple and reproducible. This method does not use sutures or glue adhesive. Therefore the samples can be used with the least amount of foreign materials for analysis.

Aspetti tecnici della fistola aorto-cavale mouse

Technical aspects of creating an arteriovenous fistula in the mouse are discussed. Under general anesthesia, an abdominal incision is made, and the aorta ...

Renal Capsule Xenografting and Subcutaneous Pellet Implantation for the Evaluation of Prostate Carcinogenesis and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

New therapies for two common prostate diseases, prostate cancer (PrCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), depend critically on experiments evaluating their hormonal regulation. Sex steroid hormones (notably androgens and estrogens) are important in PrCa and BPH; we probe their respective roles in inducing prostate growth and carcinogenesis in mice with experiments using compressed hormone pellets. Hormone and/or drug pellets are easily manufactured with a pellet press, and surgically implanted into the subcutaneous tissue of the male mouse host. We also describe a protocol for the evaluation of hormonal carcinogenesis by combining subcutaneous hormone pellet implantation with xenografting of prostate cell recombinants under the renal capsule of immunocompromised mice. Moreover, subcutaneous hormone pellet implantation, in combination with renal capsule xenografting of BPH tissue, is useful to better understand hormonal regulation of benign prostate growth, and to test new therapies targeting sex steroid hormone pathways.

We describe the manufacture of compressed hormone pellets, as well as subcutaneous surgical implantation into mice. This strategy can be combined with the growth of cell and tissue xenografts under the renal capsule of athymic nude mice to evaluate hormonal carcinogenesis and regulation of benign prostate growth.

Renale Capsule xenotrapianto e sottocutanea Pellet impianto per la valutazione di carcinogenesi della prostata e dell&#39;iperplasia prostatica benigna

New therapies for two common prostate diseases,  prostate cancer (PrCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), depend  critically on experiments ...

Generation and 3-Dimensional Quantitation of Arterial Lesions in Mice Using Optical Projection Tomography

The generation and analysis of vascular lesions in appropriate animal models is a cornerstone of research into cardiovascular disease, generating important information on the pathogenesis of lesion formation and the action of novel therapies. Use of atherosclerosis-prone mice, surgical methods of lesion induction, and dietary modification has dramatically improved understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to disease development and the potential of new treatments.
Classically, analysis of lesions is performed ex vivo using 2-dimensional histological techniques. This article describes application of optical projection tomography (OPT) to 3-dimensional quantitation of arterial lesions. As this technique is non-destructive, it can be used as an adjunct to standard histological and immunohistochemical analyses.
Neointimal lesions were induced by wire-insertion or ligation of the mouse femoral artery whilst atherosclerotic lesions were generated by administration of an atherogenic diet to apoE-deficient mice.
Lesions were examined using OPT imaging of autofluorescent emission followed by complementary histological and immunohistochemical analysis. OPT clearly distinguished lesions from the underlying vascular wall. Lesion size was calculated in 2-dimensional sections using planimetry, enabling calculation of lesion volume and maximal cross-sectional area. Data generated using OPT were consistent with measurements obtained using histology, confirming the accuracy of the technique and its potential as a complement (rather than alternative) to traditional methods of analysis.
This work demonstrates the potential of OPT for imaging atherosclerotic and neointimal lesions. It provides a rapid, much needed ex vivo technique for the routine 3-dimensional quantification of vascular remodelling.

Ex vivo analysis of arterial lesions from animal models of cardiovascular disease classically relies on histological and immunohistochemical techniques. These provide 2-dimensional measurements in 3-dimensional lesions. This manuscript describes the generation of arterial lesions for quantitative analysis in 3-dimensions using optical projection tomography.

Generazione e quantificazione 3-Dimensional di arteriosa lesioni nei topi mediante tomografia ottica di proiezione

The generation and analysis of vascular lesions in appropriate animal models is a cornerstone of research into cardiovascular disease, generating ...

Collection and Extraction of Saliva DNA for Next Generation Sequencing

The preferred source of DNA in human genetics research is blood, or cell lines derived from blood, as these sources yield large quantities of high quality DNA. However, DNA extraction from saliva can yield high quality DNA with little to no degradation/fragmentation that is suitable for a variety of DNA assays without the expense of a phlebotomist and can even be acquired through the mail. However, at present, no saliva DNA collection/extraction protocols for next generation sequencing have been presented in the literature. This protocol optimizes parameters of saliva collection/storage and DNA extraction to be of sufficient quality and quantity for DNA assays with the highest standards, including microarray genotyping and next generation sequencing.

DNA extraction from saliva can provide a readily available source of high molecular weight DNA, with little to no degradation/fragmentation. This protocol provides optimized parameters for saliva collection/storage and DNA extraction to be of sufficient quality and quantity for downstream DNA assays with high quality requirements.

Raccolta ed estrazione di Saliva DNA per il sequenziamento di nuova generazione

The preferred source of DNA in human genetics research is blood, or cell lines derived from blood, as these sources yield large quantities of high quality ...

Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System

The promise of drug repurposing is that existing drugs may be used for new disease indications in order to curb the high costs and time for approval. The goal of computational methods for drug repurposing is to enable solutions for safer, cheaper and faster drug discovery. Towards this end, we developed a novel method that integrates genetic and clinical phenotype data from large-scale GWAS and PheWAS studies with detailed drug information on the concept of transitive Drug-Gene-Disease triads. We created "RE:fine Drugs," a freely available, interactive dashboard that automates gene, disease and drug-based searches to identify drug repurposing candidates. This web-based tool supports a user-friendly interface that includes an array of advanced search and export options. Results can be prioritized in a variety of ways, including but not limited to, biomedical literature support, strength and statistical significance of GWAS and/or PheWAS associations, disease indications and molecular drug targets. Here we provide a protocol that illustrates the functionalities available in the "RE:fine Drugs" system and explores the different advanced options through a case study.

Here we describe a protocol using the web-based drug repurposing hypothesis generation tool: "RE:fine Drugs." This protocol can be modified to a user's preferences at the level of the query type (gene, drug or disease) and/or the range of available advanced options.

Drug Repurposing Ipotesi Generation Con il &quot;RE: Drugs sottili&quot; Sistema

The promise of drug repurposing is that existing drugs may be used for new disease indications in order to curb the high costs and time for approval. The ...

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 Tesla

CMR at an ultra-high field (magnetic field strength B0&#160;&#8805; 7 Tesla) benefits from the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) advantage inherent at higher magnetic field strengths and potentially provides improved signal contrast and spatial resolution. While promising results have been achieved, ultra-high field CMR is challenging due to energy deposition constraints and physical phenomena such as transmission field non-uniformities and magnetic field inhomogeneities. In addition, the magneto-hydrodynamic effect renders the synchronization of the data acquisition with the cardiac motion difficult. The challenges are currently addressed by explorations into novel magnetic resonance technology. If all impediments can be overcome, ultra-high field CMR may generate new opportunities for functional CMR, myocardial tissue characterization, microstructure imaging or metabolic imaging. Recognizing this potential, we show that multi-channel radio frequency (RF) coil technology tailored for CMR at 7 Tesla together with higher order B0 shimming and a backup signal for cardiac triggering facilitates high fidelity functional CMR. With the proposed setup, cardiac chamber quantification can be accomplished in examination times similar to those achieved at lower field strengths. To share this experience and to support the dissemination of this expertise, this work describes our setup and protocol tailored for functional CMR at 7 Tesla.

The sensitivity gain inherent to ultrahigh field magnetic resonance holds promise for high spatial resolution imaging of the heart. Here, we describe a protocol customized for functional cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) at 7 Tesla using an advanced multi-channel radio-frequency coil, magnetic field shimming and a triggering concept.

Risonanza magnetica cardiaca a 7 Tesla

CMR at an ultra-high field (magnetic field strength B0&#160;&#8805; 7 Tesla) benefits from the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) advantage inherent at higher ...

The Generation of Closed Femoral Fractures in Mice: A Model to Study Bone Healing

Bone fractures impose a tremendous socio-economic burden on patients, in addition to significantly affecting their quality of life. Therapeutic strategies that promote efficient bone healing are non-existent and in high demand. Effective and reproducible animal models of fractures healing are needed to understand the complex biological processes associated with bone regeneration. Many animal models of fracture healing have been generated over the years; however, murine fracture models have recently emerged as powerful tools to study bone healing. A variety of open and closed models have been developed, but the closed femoral fracture model stands out as a simple method for generating rapid and reproducible results in a physiologically relevant manner. The goal of this surgical protocol is to generate unilateral closed femoral fractures in mice and facilitate a post-fracture stabilization of the femur by inserting an intramedullary steel rod. Although devices such as a nail or a screw offer greater axial and rotational stability, the use of an intramedullary rod provides a sufficient stabilization for consistent healing outcomes without producing new defects in the bone tissue or damaging nearby soft tissue. Radiographic imaging is used to monitor the progression of callus formation, bony union, and subsequent remodeling of the bony callus. Bone healing outcomes are typically associated with the strength of the healed bone and measured with torsional testing. Still, understanding the early cellular and molecular events associated with fracture repair is critical in the study of bone tissue regeneration. The closed femoral fracture model in mice with intramedullary fixation serves as an attractive platform to study bone fracture healing and evaluate therapeutic strategies to accelerate healing.

The murine closed femoral fracture model is a powerful platform to study fracture healing and novel therapeutic strategies to accelerate bone regeneration. The goal of this surgical protocol is to generate unilateral closed femoral fractures in mice using an intramedullary steel rod to stabilize the femur.

La generazione delle fratture chiuse femorale in topi: un modello per studiare la guarigione ossea

Bone fractures impose a tremendous socio-economic burden on patients, in addition to significantly affecting their quality of life. Therapeutic strategies ...

Generation of Porcine Testicular Organoids with Testis Specific Architecture using Microwell Culture

Organoids are three dimensional structures composed of multiple cell types that are capable of recapitulating tissue architecture and functions of organs in vivo. Formation of organoids has opened up different avenues of basic and translational research. In recent years, testicular organoids have garnered interest in the field of male reproductive biology. Testicular organoids allow for the study of cell-cell interactions, tissue development, and the germ cell niche microenvironment and facilitate high throughput drug and toxicity screening. A method is needed to reliably and reproducibly generate testicular organoids with testis specific tissue architecture. The microwell culture system contains a dense array of pyramid-shaped microwells. Testicular cells derived from pre-pubertal testes are centrifuged into these microwells and cultured to generate testicular organoids with testis-specific tissue architecture and cell associations. Thousands of homogeneous organoids can be generated via this process. The protocol reported here will be of broad interest to researchers studying male reproduction.

Here, we present a protocol for the reproducible generation of porcine testicular organoids with testis specific tissue architecture using the commercially available microwell culture system.

Generazione di organoidi testicolari porcini con Architettura Specifica Testis utilizzando Microwell Culture

Organoids are three dimensional structures composed of multiple cell types that are capable of recapitulating tissue architecture and functions of organs ...