私はモデルの設計およびアーカイブビデオへのアクセスに非常に助けのための動物行動の統合的研究（CISAB）センターからのダニエルヴァンダイクに感謝したいと思います。クリストファーエヴァンス（CISABは）ダニエルワーナーが（シドニー大学）剥製のモデルを提供する技術サポートを、提供し、そしてリチャードピーターズ（オーストラリア国立大学）は、初期の設計機能を提供する。

アニメーションのデザインオブジェクトのスキャン剥製のトカゲを取得する。コニカミノルタVI - 9iのあるモデルをスキャン。それは50,000ポリゴンの単一のポリゴンメッシュの3Dオブジェクト（*. LWOと*. objファイル）を生成します。モデラーとレイアウト：光波® V8.3は、3Dアニメーションのために使用される2つのプログラムを持っています。光波®モデラーのデザインやオブジェクトを操作します。ライト®のレイアウトプログラムは、アニメーションのシーンを作成します。見出し（Y）、ピッチ（X）、及び銀行（Z）：光®モデラーとレイアウトは、位置決め、方向、および回転の3つの次元を持っている。 テクスチャの取得二つの角度（正面と直交）、の3つの位置（正面、、直交腹側、および背側）と3つのボディ領域の部分（頭、体、尾、四肢）から12.8万画素のキヤノンEOS 5Dデジタルカメラを使用して、ライブトカゲを撮影標準化された色に白をバランスするために紙の白いシート上に。 Adobe ® Photoshop ®の要素3.0で一緒に写真を融合させる。 ライト®モデラーのアトラスのUVマップを作成します。 UVマップは、ポリゴンを接続文字列にオブジェクトを分割します。独立したJPEG画像を作成するためにグラブV1.2とアトラスのUVマップのJPEGのイメージをキャプチャします。 Adobe ® Photoshop ®の要素3.0にバックグラウンド層としてIMBED。 ライト®モデラーの、トカゲ上の特定の領域を識別するために、アトラスのUVマップ上で強調表示ポリゴン。トリミング領域と背景アトラスUVマップ、JPEGに重ね合わせる。すべての写真の断片がアトラスUVマップJPEGの上に積層されたときに、背景を削除し、単一のTIFFファイルを作成します。ライト®モデラーにTIFFファイルをインポートし、UV座標を割り当てます。 注入Skelegonsアンドボーンズライト®モデラーでは、skelegonsを設計し、埋め込まれていた。 Skelegonsは骨のためのプレースホルダとして作用した。 61の骨を作成します。頭をシミュレートするために使用される一つの大きなskelegonで、ジャッキー竜の脊椎の数を模倣するskelegonsを作成します。首から下に尾の先端に仮想脊柱を作成します。四つんばいで構成されて前肢を、ヒューズは脊柱に、それぞれをskelegons。すべてskelegonsが作成されると、skelegonsが骨に変換される光®レイアウト、オブジェクト全体を送信します。 重量の網掛けの設定独立したウェイトマップは、-100％から+100％までの値の範囲は、均等に動きを配布する必要があります。四肢、尾、および（+）正のウェイトマップの値を持つヘッドを指定。 （ - ）ウェイトマップ値体の負を与える。 アーカイブビデオからの刺激キャプチャオード、ピーターズ、エヴァンス、＆テイラー、2002;アーカイブトカゲの映像は（初期ビデオ取得のために、オードとエバンス、2002を参照して、そのエンクロージャで開催されたライブトカゲにソニートリニトロンモニターにソニーミニDVデジタルビデオレコーダーPALプレーヤーを使って示されたバンダイクとエバンス、2007）。トカゲの応答がエンクロージャからメーターに約置かキヤノン（MV650i）デジタルビデオカメラを用いて記録した。トカゲのサイズは、ディスプレイモニタ上に止まり木の代表的なサイズに縮小した。アップルのQuickTime™V7.0の個々の連続した​​JPEG画像としてエクスポートします。 刺激レプリケーションのロトスコーピング &quot;ロトスコーピングは、&quot;オブジェクトのアニメーションが（Gatsey、ミドルトン、ジェンキンス、＆シュービン、1999）背景のシーケンスのフォアグラウンドでフレームごとに重畳されているテクニックです。ライト、カメラ、オブジェクト、およびバックグラウンド特性をシーンのために制御できるライト®レイアウト、アニメーションを送る。 AppleのQuickTime™Player 7.0を使用して、イメージシーケンス（JPEG）などのアーカイブ、デジタルビデオおよびエクスポートからモーターのパターンを選択してください。オブジェクトは、カメラビューになっている必要があります。背景にイメージシーケンスの最初のJPEGをインポートします。骨を使用してオブジェクトを操作し、背景画像を反映した現在の位置に重ね合わせる。各フレームは、&quot;キーフレーム&quot;するオブジェクトの位置が保存されるようになっている。次の連続した​​イメージで背景画像を交換し、新しい位置にオブジェクトを操作する。シーケンスが終了するまでプロセスを繰り返します。 完了のためにシーケンスをレンダリング大規模なシーケンスクリップまたはバッチ処理は、レンダリングファーム司令官v2.9を使用してレンダリングされます。より高速なレンダリングを支援するために、プロセッサのシリーズを生産するためにコンピュータをファームコマンダー（RFC）のリンクをレンダリングします。四アップルMac G5デュアルプロセッサ（8スレッド）は、こうして4時間に時間を短縮、レンダリングを配布するために使用された。すべてのシーケンスは、PAL - DV規格（; 5:1の圧縮、水平解像度575ライン、25フレームS - 1 720 576円ピクセルの解像度）で維持した。

<ol>
	<li>Gatesy, S. M., Middleton, K. M., Jenkins, F. A., Shubin, N. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Three-dimensional+preservation+of+foot+movements+in+Triassic+theropod+dinosaurs.">Three-dimensional preservation of foot movements in Triassic theropod dinosaurs.</a> Nature. 399, 141-144 (1999).</li><li>Newtek, Inc, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lightwave+[8]+Reference+Manual.">Lightwave [8] Reference Manual.</a> , (2004).</li><li>Ord, T. J., Evans, C. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Interactive+video+playback+and+opponent+assessment+in+lizards.">Interactive video playback and opponent assessment in lizards.</a> Behav. Process. 59, 55-65 (2002).</li><li>Ord, T. J., Peters, R. A., Evans, C. S., Taylor, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Digital+video+playback+and+visual+communication+in+lizards.">Digital video playback and visual communication in lizards.</a> Anim. Behav. 63, 879-890 (2002).</li><li>Rosenthal, G. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Design+considerations+and+techniques+for+constructing+video+stimuli.">Design considerations and techniques for constructing video stimuli.</a> Acta Ethol. 3, 49-54 (2000).</li><li>Van Dyk, D. A., Evans, C. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Familiar-unfamiliar+discrimination+based+on+visual+cues+in+the+Jacky+dragon,+Amphibolurus+muricatus.">Familiar-unfamiliar discrimination based on visual cues in the Jacky dragon, Amphibolurus muricatus.</a> Anim. Behav. 74, 33-44 (2007).</li></ol>

資金は、マッコーリー大学のCISABと心理学科大学院賞、およびオーストラリアの研究評議会によってサポートされていました。研究は、マッコーリー大学動物倫理委員会（2003/014）とニューサウスウェールズ州国立公園野生生物サービス（S11024）の倫理指針に従って行った。

コンピュータによって生成されたアニメーションは、ますます動物行動で通信に関する質問を調査するための一般的なツールになりつつあります。アニメーションの技術を使用して、研究者は信号のデザインの特定の側面に焦点を当て、これまで限られた技術のために調査することができなかった機能を操作することができます。従来の段階的な動物はまだ理論的な原則を示すに遭遇したものの、アニメー?...

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		<div>
		<table border="1">
		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>New Item</td>
<td>Digital camera</td>
<td>Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. </td>
<td>VI-9i</td>
<td>Used to acquire 3D mesh (done by New Dawn&#174; - Bexley North, NSW Australia)
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lightwave&#174; 3D</td>
<td>Software program</td>
<td>NewTek Inc.</td>
<td>v8.3</td>
<td>To create animation</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Canon</td>
<td>Digital camera</td>
<td>Canon, Inc.</td>
<td>EOS 5D</td>
<td>12.8 megapixels</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Grab</td>
<td>Software program</td>
<td>Apple Computer, Inc.</td>
<td>v1.2</td>
<td>Extract texture from photographs and UV map</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adobe&#174; Photoshop&#174; Elements</td>
<td>Software program</td>
<td>Adobe Systems Inc.</td>
<td>v3.0</td>
<td>Extract texture from photographs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Render Farm Commander</td>
<td>Software program</td>
<td>Bruce Rayne&#169;</td>
<td>v2.9</td>
<td>Mass rendering across local area network

</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mac Pro</td>
<td>Computer</td>
<td>Apple Computer, Inc.</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Four dual processors (eight threads); Create and render animation</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sony MiniDV</td>
<td>Digital video recorder</td>
<td>Sony Corporation</td>
<td>GV-D300E</td>
<td>Playback stimuli during stimulus acquisition</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sony Trintron</td>
<td>Colour viewfinder</td>
<td>Sony Corporation</td>
<td>PVM-14M2A</td>
<td>One monitor for stimulus acquisition</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Canon</td>
<td>Digital camcorder</td>
<td>Cannon Inc.</td>
<td>MV650i</td>
<td>Records behavior during stimulus acquisition</td>
</tr>		</tbody>
		</table>
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			<div>
					</div>

computer-generated animal model stimuli

動物間の通信は、多様で複雑です。動物は聴覚、地震、化学的感覚、電気的、または視覚信号を使用して通信することがあります。特に、通信のための視覚的な信号の設計上の制約を理解することは大きな関心を集めてきました。動物の相互作用を調査するための伝統的な方法は、基本的な観測技術を使用している、出会い、または形態の物理的な操作を上演した。控えめな方法は、ミラー、静止画、またはモデルのような原油の再生ツールを使用して同種を、シミュレートすることを試みた。技術がより高度になっているように、ビデオの再生には、ビジュアルコミュニケーションを検討するために別のツール（ローゼンタール、2000）として浮上している。しかし、さらに一歩を移動するには、コンピュータアニメーションのアプリケーションは、現在研究者が具体的に同種の社会的応答を引き出すために必要な重要なコンポーネントを分離することができます、との相互作用を制御するためにこれらの機能を操作する。ここで、私はモデルとしてジャッキードラゴンを使ってアニメーションを作成する方法の詳細を提供しますが、このプロセスは、他の種のための適応可能性があります。アニメーションを構築する際に、私は、オブジェクトの形態を変更、テクスチャを追加し、骨をインストールし、誇張された動きを妨げる匹敵する重量のシェーディングを提供するために、光3Dを使用することを選択。アニメーションは、重要な運動機能を複製するために、モータのパターンを選択するために照合されます。最後に、シーケンスは、プレゼンテーションのための個々のクリップにレンダリングしなければなりません。他の適応手法があるが、この特定のメソッドは、段階的な相互作用に顕著と社会の両方の応答を引き出すのに有効であることが実証されていた。

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Computer-Generated Animal Model Stimuli at JoVE.com

Computer-Generated Animal Model Stimuli

モデルとしてジャッキー竜を使用して作られた刺激。

コンピュータによって生成された動物モデルの刺激

Communication between animals is diverse and complex. Animals may communicate using auditory, seismic, chemosensory, electrical, or visual signals. In ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

10.8K ビュー.  Macquarie University. モデルとしてジャッキー竜を使用して作られた刺激。

ビデオ: Computer-Generated Animal Model Stimuli

Testing Visual Sensitivity to the Speed and Direction of Motion in Lizards

Testing visual sensitivity in any species provides basic information regarding behaviour, evolution, and ecology. However, testing specific features of the visual system provide more empirical evidence for functional applications. Investigation into the sensory system provides information about the sensory capacity, learning and memory ability, and establishes known baseline behaviour in which to gauge deviations (Burghardt, 1977). However, unlike mammalian or avian systems, testing for learning and memory in a reptile species is difficult. Furthermore, using an operant paradigm as a psychophysical measure of sensory ability is likewise as difficult. Historically, reptilian species have responded poorly to conditioning trials because of issues related to motivation, physiology, metabolism, and basic biological characteristics. Here, I demonstrate an operant paradigm used a novel model lizard species, the Jacky dragon (Amphibolurus muricatus) and describe how to test peripheral sensitivity to salient speed and motion characteristics. This method uses an innovative approach to assessing learning and sensory capacity in lizards. I employ the use of random-dot kinematograms (RDKs) to measure sensitivity to speed, and manipulate the level of signal strength by changing the proportion of dots moving in a coherent direction. RDKs do not represent a biologically meaningful stimulus, engages the visual system, and is a classic psychophysical tool used to measure sensitivity in humans and other animals. Here, RDKs are displayed to lizards using three video playback systems. Lizards are to select the direction (left or right) in which they perceive dots to be moving. Selection of the appropriate direction is reinforced by biologically important prey stimuli, simulated by computer-animated invertebrates.

Testing visual sensitivity in lizards using an operant conditioning paradigm that employs video playback of random-dot kinematograms and computer-generated invertebrates.

トカゲの運動の速度と方向の視覚感度のテスト

Testing visual sensitivity in any species provides basic information regarding behaviour, evolution, and ecology. However, testing specific features of ...

生物学

Cryopreservation of Preimplantation Embryos of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats

Preimplantation embryos from cattle, sheep, and goats may be cryopreserved for short- or long-term storage. Preimplantation embryos consist predominantly of water, and the avoidance of intracellular ice crystal formation during the cryopreservation process is of paramount importance to maintain embryo viability. Embryos are placed into a hypertonic solution (1.4 &#x2013; 1.5 M) of a cryoprotective agent (CPA) such as ethylene glycol (EG) or glycerol (GLYC) to create an osmotic gradient that facilitates cellular dehydration. After embryos reach osmotic equilibrium in the CPA solution, they are individually loaded in the hypertonic CPA solution into 0.25 ml plastic straws for freezing. Embryos are placed into a controlled rate freezer at a temperature of -6&deg;C. Ice crystal formation is induced in the CPA solution surrounding the embryo, and crystallization causes an increase in the concentration of CPA outside of the embryo, causing further cellular dehydration. Embryos are cooled at a rate of 0.5&deg;C/min, enabling further dehydration, to a temperature of -34&deg;C before being plunged into liquid nitrogen (-196&deg;C). Cryopreserved embryos must be thawed prior to transfer to a recipient (surrogate) female. Straws containing the embryos are removed from the liquid nitrogen dewar, held in room temperature air for 3 to 5 sec, and placed into a 37&deg;C water bath for 25 to 30 sec. Embryos cryopreserved in GLYC are placed into a 1 M solution of sucrose for 10 min for removal of the CPA before transfer to a recipient (surrogate) female. Embryos cryopreserved in EG, however, may be directly transferred to the uterus of a recipient.

Preimplantation embryos may be cryopreserved after placement into a hypertonic cryoprotective solution to cause cellular dehydration. After equilibration, ice crystal formation is induced in the solution surrounding the embryo. Further dehydration occurs as the embryo is slowly cooled to subzero temperatures before plunging into liquid nitrogen for storage.

着床前の牛の胚、羊、ヤギの凍結保存

Preimplantation embryos from cattle, sheep, and goats may be cryopreserved for short- or long-term storage.  Preimplantation embryos consist predominantly ...

Genotyping of Plant and Animal Samples without Prior DNA Purification

The Direct PCR approach facilitates PCR amplification directly from small amounts of unpurified samples, and is demonstrated here for several plant and animal tissues (Figure 1). Direct PCR is based on specially engineered Thermo Scientific Phusion and Phire DNA Polymerases, which include a double-stranded DNA binding domain that gives them unique properties such as high tolerance of inhibitors.
PCR-based target DNA detection has numerous applications in plant research, including plant genotype analysis and verification of transgenes. PCR from plant tissues traditionally involves an initial DNA isolation step, which may require expensive or toxic reagents. The process is time consuming and increases the risk of cross contamination1, 2. Conversely, by using Thermo Scientific Phire Plant Direct PCR Kit the target DNA can be easily detected, without prior DNA extraction. In the model demonstrated here, an example of derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence analysis (dCAPS)3,4 is performed directly from Arabidopsis plant leaves. dCAPS genotyping assays can be used to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by SNP allele-specific restriction endonuclease digestion3. 
Some plant samples tend to be more challenging when using Direct PCR methods as they contain components that interfere with PCR, such as phenolic compounds. In these cases, an additional step to remove the compounds is traditionally required2,5. Here, this problem is overcome by using a quick and easy dilution protocol followed by Direct PCR amplification (Figure 1). Fifteen year-old oak leaves are used as a model for challenging plants as the specimen contains high amounts of phenolic compounds including tannins. 
Gene transfer into mice is broadly used to study the roles of genes in development, physiology and human disease. The use of these animals requires screening for the presence of the transgene, usually with PCR. Traditionally, this involves a time consuming DNA isolation step, during which DNA for PCR analysis is purified from ear, tail or toe tissues6,7. However, with the Thermo Scientific Phire Animal Tissue Direct PCR Kit transgenic mice can be genotyped without prior DNA purification. In this protocol transgenic mouse genotyping is achieved directly from mouse ear tissues, as demonstrated here for a challenging example where only one primer set is used for amplification of two fragments differing greatly in size.

The Direct PCR approach presented here facilitates PCR amplification directly from small amounts of unpurified plant and animal tissue.

前のDNA精製せずに植物や動物のサンプルの遺伝子型

The Direct PCR approach facilitates PCR amplification directly from small amounts of unpurified samples, and is demonstrated here for several plant and ...

Utero-tubal Embryo Transfer and Vasectomy in the Mouse Model

The transfer of preimplantation embryos to a surrogate female is a required step for the production of genetically modified mice or to study the effects of epigenetic alterations originated during preimplantation development on subsequent fetal development and adult health. The use of an effective and consistent embryo transfer technique is crucial to enhance the generation of genetically modified animals and to determine the effect of different treatments on implantation rates and survival to term. Embryos at the blastocyst stage are usually transferred by uterine transfer, performing a puncture in the uterine wall to introduce the embryo manipulation pipette. The orifice performed in the uterus does not close after the pipette has been withdrawn, and the embryos can outflow to the abdominal cavity due to the positive pressure of the uterus. The puncture can also produce a hemorrhage that impairs implantation, blocks the transfer pipette and may affect embryo development, especially when embryos without zona are transferred. Consequently, this technique often results in very variable and overall low embryo survival rates. Avoiding these negative effects, utero-tubal embryo transfer take advantage of the utero-tubal junction as a natural barrier that impedes embryo outflow and avoid the puncture of the uterine wall. Vasectomized males are required for obtaining pseudopregnant recipients. A technique to perform vasectomy is described as a complement to the utero-tubal embryo transfer.

Utero-tubal embryo transfer uses the utero-tubal junction as a barrier to prevent the embryo outflow that may occur when performing uterine transfer. Vasectomized males are required to obtain pseudopregnant recipients for embryo transfer. Both techniques are discussed.

マウスモデルにおける子宮卵管胚移植と精管切除

The transfer of preimplantation embryos to a surrogate female is a required step for the production of genetically modified mice or to study the effects ...

A Protocol for Using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis to Identify the Appropriate Animal Model for Translational Research

Recent studies that compared transcriptomic datasets of human diseases with datasets from mouse models using traditional gene-to-gene comparison techniques resulted in contradictory conclusions regarding the relevance of animal models for translational research. A major reason for the discrepancies between different gene expression analyses is the arbitrary filtering of differentially expressed genes. Furthermore, the comparison of single genes between different species and platforms often is limited by technical variance, leading to misinterpretation of the con/discordance between data from human and animal models. Thus, standardized approaches for systematic data analysis are needed. To overcome subjective gene filtering and ineffective gene-to-gene comparisons, we recently demonstrated that gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) has the potential to avoid these problems. Therefore, we developed a standardized protocol for the use of GSEA to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate animal models for translational research. This protocol is not suitable to predict how to design new model systems a-priori, as it requires existing experimental omics data. However, the protocol describes how to interpret existing data in a standardized manner in order to select the most suitable animal model, thus avoiding unnecessary animal experiments and misleading translational studies.

We provide a standardized protocol for the use of gene set enrichment analysis of transcriptomic data to identify an ideal mouse model for translational research. 
This protocol can be used with DNA microarray and RNA sequencing data and can further be extended to other omics data if data are available.

遺伝子を使用するプロトコル設定トランスレーショナルリサーチの適切な動物モデルを識別するために濃縮分析

Recent studies that compared transcriptomic datasets of human diseases with datasets from mouse models using traditional gene-to-gene comparison ...

A Tissue Culture Model of Estrogen-producing Primary Bovine Granulosa Cells

Ovarian granulosa cells (GC) are the major source of estradiol synthesis. Induced by the preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, cells of the theca and, in particular, of the granulosa cell layer profoundly change their morphological, physiological, and molecular characteristics and form the progesterone-producing corpus luteum that is responsible for maintaining pregnancy. Cell culture models are essential tools to study the underlying regulatory mechanisms involved in the folliculo-luteal transformation. The presented protocol focuses on the isolation procedure and cryopreservation of bovine GC from small- to medium-sized follicles (&#60; 6 mm). With this technique, a nearly pure population of GC can be obtained. The cryopreservation procedure greatly facilitates time management of the cell culture work independent of a direct primary tissue (ovaries) supply. This protocol describes a serum-free cell culture model that mimics the estradiol-active status of bovine GC. Important conditions that are essential for a successful steroid-active cell culture are discussed throughout the protocol. It is demonstrated that increasing the plating density of the cells induces a specific response as indicated by an altered gene expression profile and hormone production. Furthermore, this model provides a basis for further studies on GC differentiation and other applications.

A long-term culture model of bovine granulosa cells under serum-free conditions is described. This model allows researchers to study the effects of diverse factors and conditions as different plating densities on the characteristics of estrogen-producing bovine granulosa cells.

細胞のエストロゲン産生主ウシ顆粒の組織培養モデル

Ovarian granulosa cells (GC) are the major source of estradiol synthesis. Induced by the preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, cells of the theca ...

Bovine Mammary Gland Biopsy Techniques

Bovine mammary gland biopsies allow researchers to collect tissue samples to study cell biology including gene expression, histological analysis, signaling pathways, and protein translation. This article describes two techniques for biopsy of the bovine mammary gland (MG). Three healthy Holstein dairy cows were the subjects. Before biopsies, cows were milked and subsequently restrained in a cattle chute. An analgesic (flunixin meglumine, 1.1 to 2.2 mg/kg of body weight) was administered via jugular intravenous [IV] injection 15-20 min prior to biopsy. For standing sedation, xylazine hydrochloride (0.01-0.05 mg/kg of body weight) was injected via the coccygeal vessels 5-10 min before the procedure. Once adequately sedated, the biopsy site was aseptically prepared and locally anaesthetized with 6 mL of 2% lidocaine hydrochloride via subcutaneous injection. Using aseptic technique, a 2 to 3 cm vertical incision was made using a number 10 scalpel. Core and needle biopsy tools were used. The core biopsy tool was attached to a cordless drill and inserted into the MG tissue through the incision using a clock-wise drill action. The needle biopsy tool was manually inserted into the incision site. Immediately after the procedure, an assistant applied pressure on the incision site for 20 to 25 min using a sterile towel to achieve hemostasis. Stainless steel surgical staples were used to oppose the skin incision. The staples were removed 10 days post-procedure. The main advantages of core and needle biopsies is that both approaches are minimally invasive procedures that can be safely performed in healthy cows. Milk yield following the biopsy was unaffected. These procedures require a short recovery time and result in fewer risks of complications. Specific limitations may include bleeding after the biopsy and infection on the biopsy site. Applications of these techniques include tissue collection for clinical diagnosis and research purposes, such as primary cell culture.

This article presents a bovine mammary gland biopsy using core and needle biopsy tools. Harvested tissue can be used for cell culture or to assess mammary physiology and metabolism including gene expression, protein expression, protein modifications, immunohistochemistry, and metabolite concentrations.

乳腺生検する方法

Bovine mammary gland biopsies allow researchers to collect tissue samples to study cell biology including gene expression, histological analysis, ...

Simple Homemade Tools to Handle Fruit Flies&#8212;Drosophila melanogaster

The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is widely used both in biological research and biology education. Handling adult flies is common but difficult in practice, as adult flies fly. Demonstrated here is how to make some simple and cost-effective tools to address difficult issues in the handling of Drosophila. Holes in foam stoppers are made and pipette tips or funnels are inserted into the holes. Flies then move only in one direction into the pipette tip/funnel assemblage, allowing efficient control of the transfer of adult Drosophila into or out of a vial. Existing protocols have been modified for cool-anesthetizing flies by chilling in crushed ice and transferring them onto a cold, hard icepack surface. The icepack is covered with a piece of medical gauze that keeps immobilized flies from the condensed water when examined under a stereomicroscope. The flies are finally euthanized for counting and sorting or discarded by microwaving. A bottle-shaped cage has also been developed for collecting eggs, as well as a labor-saving device and accompanying protocol for cleaning glass culture vials.

Described here is the use of several homemade tools to transfer, chill, and kill adult Drosophila, as well as to clean glass culture vials and collect eggs. These tools are easy to make and are rather efficient in handling Drosophila.

フルーツハエを扱うシンプルな自家製ツール -ショウジョウバエメラノガスター

The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is widely used both in biological research and biology education. Handling adult flies is common but difficult in ...

Mass Spectrometry Analysis to Identify Ubiquitylation of EYFP-tagged CENP-A (EYFP-CENP-A)

Studying the structure and the dynamics of kinetochores and centromeres is important in understanding chromosomal instability (CIN) and cancer progression. How the chromosomal location and function of a centromere (i.e., centromere identity) are determined and participate in accurate chromosome segregation is a fundamental question. CENP-A is proposed to be the non-DNA indicator (epigenetic mark) of centromere identity, and CENP-A ubiquitylation is required for CENP-A deposition at the centromere, inherited through dimerization between cell division, and indispensable to cell viability.
Here we describe mass spectrometry analysis to identify ubiquitylation of EYFP-CENP-A K124R mutant suggesting that ubiquitylation at a different lysine is induced because of the EYFP tagging in the CENP-A K124R mutant protein. Lysine 306 (K306) ubiquitylation in EYFP-CENP-A K124R was successfully identified, which corresponds to lysine 56 (K56) in CENP-A through mass spectrometry analysis. A caveat is discussed in the use of GFP/EYFP or the tagging of high molecular weight protein as a tool to analyze the function of a protein. Current technical limit is also discussed for the detection of ubiquitylated bands, identification of site-specific ubiquitylation(s), and visualization of ubiquitylation in living cells or a specific single cell during the whole cell cycle.
The method of mass spectrometry analysis presented here can be applied to human CENP-A protein with different tags and other centromere-kinetochore proteins. These combinatory methods consisting of several assays/analyses could be recommended for researchers who are interested in identifying functional roles of ubiquitylation.

Mass Spectrometry Analysis to Identify Ubiquitylation of EYFP-tagged CENP-A EYFP-CENP-A

CENP-A ubiquitylation is an important requirement for CENP-A deposition at the centromere, inherited through dimerization between cell division, and indispensable to cell viability. Here we describe mass spectrometry analysis to identify ubiquitylation of EYFP-tagged CENP-A (EYFP-CENP-A) protein.

EYFP タグ付き CENP-A (EYFP-CENP-A) のユビキタス性を同定するための質量分析分析

Studying the structure and the dynamics of kinetochores and centromeres is important in understanding chromosomal instability (CIN) and cancer ...

Planarian Scrunching as a Quantitative Behavioral Readout for Noxious Stimuli Sensing

Freshwater planarians normally glide smoothly through ciliary propulsion on their ventral side. Certain environmental conditions, however, can induce musculature-driven forms of locomotion: peristalsis or scrunching. While peristalsis results from a ciliary defect, scrunching is independent of cilia function and is a specific response to certain stimuli, including amputation, noxious temperature, extreme pH, and ethanol. Thus, these two musculature-driven gaits are mechanistically distinct. However, they can be difficult to distinguish qualitatively. Here, we provide a protocol for inducing scrunching using various physical and chemical stimuli. We detail the quantitative characterization of scrunching, which can be used to distinguish it from peristalsis and gliding, using freely available software. Since scrunching is a universal planarian gait, albeit with characteristic species-specific differences, this protocol can be broadly applied to all species of planarians, when using appropriate considerations. To demonstrate this, we compare the response of the two most popular planarian species used in behavioral research, Dugesia japonica and Schmidtea mediterranea, to the same set of physical and chemical stimuli. Furthermore, the specificity of scrunching allows this protocol to be used in conjunction with RNA interference and/or pharmacological exposure to dissect the molecular targets and neuronal circuits involved, potentially providing mechanistic insight into important aspects of nociception and neuromuscular communication.

Freshwater planarians exhibit three gaits (gliding, peristalsis, and scrunching) that are distinguishable by quantitative behavioral analysis. We describe a method to induce scrunching using various noxious stimuli, quantification thereof, and distinction from peristalsis and gliding. Using gene knockdown, we demonstrate the specificity of scrunching as a quantitative phenotypic readout.

有害刺激センシングのための定量的行動読み出しとしてのプラナリアンスクランチング

Freshwater planarians normally glide smoothly through ciliary propulsion on their ventral side. Certain environmental conditions, however, can induce ...