Name: treating sca1 mice with water-soluble compounds to non-specifically boost mitochondrial function
Uploaded: 2017-01-22T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Treating SCA1 Mice with Water-Soluble Compounds to Non-Specifically Boost Mitochondrial Function at JoVE.com

We would like to thank Dr. Harry Orr at the University of Minnesota for his generous gift of transgenic mice. We would also like to thank the following Skidmore College alum for their work performing the preceding experiments: Monica Villegas, Porter Hall, Mitchell Spring, Nicholas Toker, Jenny Zhang, Chloe Larson and Cheyanne Slocum. Furthermore, we would like to thank Skidmore College for funding the development of these methods.

This protocol follows the IACUC guidelines at Skidmore College for working with mice.
1. Treatment with Water-soluble Compounds
<ol>
	<li>Dissolve succinic acid to a concentration of 0.75 mg/mL in cage drinking water. Note that any water-soluble compound of interest at the desired concentration could be substituted at this stage. Stir solution to make sure that the compound is fully dissolved.</li>
	<li>After mice reach the desired age of treatment, replace the home cage drinking water of the treatment condition...

<ol>
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H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assessment+of+motor+balance+and+coordination+in+mice+using+the+balance+beam.">Assessment of motor balance and coordination in mice using the balance beam.</a> J Vis Exp. (49), (2011).</li><li>Servadio, A., Koshy, B., Armstrong, D., Antalffy, B., Orr, H. T., Zoghbi, H. Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Expression+analysis+of+the+ataxin-1+protein+in+tissues+from+normal+and+spinocerebellar+ataxia+type+1+individuals.">Expression analysis of the ataxin-1 protein in tissues from normal and spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 individuals.</a> Nat Genet. 10 (1), 94-98 (1995).</li><li>Klement, I. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ataxin-1+nuclear+localization+and+aggregation,+role+in+polyglutamine-induced+disease+in+SCA1+transgenic+mice.">Ataxin-1 nuclear localization and aggregation, role in polyglutamine-induced disease in SCA1 transgenic mice.</a> Cell. 95 (1), 41-53 (1998).</li><li>Serra, H. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gene+profiling+links+SCA1+pathophysiology+to+glutamate+signaling+in+Purkinje+cells+of+transgenic+mice.">Gene profiling links SCA1 pathophysiology to glutamate signaling in Purkinje cells of transgenic mice.</a> Hum Mol Genet. 13 (20), 2535-2543 (2004).</li><li>Carter, R. 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If these methods are used as described, they are capable of detecting and alleviating oxidative phosphorylation-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in cerebellar neurodegenerative disease mice models. The combined biochemical and behavioral assays are multifaceted methods for determining the extent of mitochondrial contribution to cerebellar neurodegenerative disease pathology. By treating mice with succinic acid to stimulate metabolism and boost mitochondrial function, we are able to show a rescue of cerebellar behaviora...

Mitochondria are the key producers of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an essential coenzyme for cellular energy, with the majority of mitochondrial ATP produced through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) using the electron transport chain. The brain, given its high metabolic demands and its reliance on oxidative phosphorylation for powering neural activity, is highly susceptible to mitochondrial dysfunction. As a result, mitochondrial dysfunction is triggered during the aging process 1 and is implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple neurodegenerative diseases 2,3,4. Therefore, it follows that mitochondria are attractive therapeutic targets for neurodegeneration.
In this protocol, we have adopted the use of Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) as a model neurodegenerative disease for the study of mitochondrial dysfunction and the development of mitochondrial-targeted therapies. SCA1 is caused by a polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat expansion mutation in the ataxin-1 gene product which triggers progressive degeneration of the Purkinje neurons of the cerebellum and neurons of other brain regions. The transgenic mouse line used here (designated as the SCA1 mouse), which expresses a polyQ-mutant ataxin-1 transgene under the control of a Purkinje-cell specific promoter, allows for the targeted analysis of the Purkinje-cell component of SCA1 5. SCA1 mice undergo gradual Purkinje cell degeneration and develop ataxic gait 6.
Mitochondrial complex dysfunction and mitochondrial-targeted treatment efficacy can be evaluated with a battery of molecular and behavioral assays. Mitochondrial complex dysfunction is measured ex vivo by respiration assays that detect altered oxygen consumption within cerebellar tissue in the presence of electron transport chain substrates and inhibitors 7. Respiration assays have previously been used with permeabilized tissue, mitochondrial isolates, and whole tissue 7,8,9. They allow for direct assessment of mitochondrial function unlike morphological data collection methods such as transmission electron microscopy or immunofluorescence staining. The use of whole tissue rather than isolated mitochondria prevents biased selection of healthy mitochondria that may occur during the isolation process 7. When adapted to the protocol as shown, the respiration assay is a valuable method for detecting mitochondrial dysfunction in cerebellar neurodegenerative disease states.
Non-specific activators of metabolism can be used to infer mitochondrial dysfunction in transgenic mice models of neurodegenerative disease and aid in the development of new therapies. Quercetin, coenzyme q10 and creatine have all been shown to ameliorate neurodegenerative disease pathology in patients and in animal models of neurodegenerative disease 10,11,12,13,14,15,16. Here we present a novel metabolic activator, succinic acid, to stimulate metabolism and boost mitochondrial function in neurodegenerative disease. To ensure that the activator is crossing the blood brain barrier, HPLC was employed to detect delivery to neural tissue in treated mice 17.
To evaluate the therapeutic effects of metabolically targeted water soluble compounds such as succinic acid, a battery of behavioral paradigms and immunopathological studies can be used. Due to the motor coordination deficits found in cerebellar neurodegenerative disease, the footprint runway assay, beam assay and accelerating rotating rod assay are used to detect rescue of behavioral pathology 6, 18, 19. These measures are supplemented with immunopathological assessment of cerebellar cytoarchitecture by assessing molecular layer thickness (defined as Purkinje cell dendritic arbor length) and Purkinje cell soma counts within a defined lobule of cerebellar tissue 6, 20, 21. Here we present multiple neuropathological and behavioral methods for detection and treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction with metabolically targeted water soluble compounds.
We use ex vivo analysis of mitochondrial respiration to analyze mitochondrial dysfunction in the SCA1 transgenic mouse. Furthermore, we show that disease symptoms and pathology are improved by the water-soluble mitochondrial booster succinic acid, further implicating mitochondrial dysfunction in SCA1 disease progression.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Adenosine diphosphate</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>A2754</td>
			<td>ADP</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ascorbate</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>A7631</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine serum albumin</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>A2153</td>
			<td>BSA</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4&#39;,6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>D9542</td>
			<td>DAPI</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Digitonin</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>D141</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dithiothreitol</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>D0632</td>
			<td>DTT</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey serum</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>D9663</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glutamate</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>1446600</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Malate</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>6994</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mannitol</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>M4125</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>P6148</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Potassium-lactobionate</td>
			<td>Bio-Sugars</td>
			<td>69313-67-3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rotenone</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>R8875</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Saponin</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>47036</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Succinic Acid</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>S3674</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N,N,N&#8242;,N&#8242;-Tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>T7394</td>
			<td>TMPD</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>T9284</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Urea</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>U0631</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vectashield mounting medium</td>
			<td>Vector Labs</td>
			<td>H-1000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibodies</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>11NQ antibody (anti-ataxin-1 )</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Servadio, et al. 1995, PMID: 7647801</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 488 anti-mouse secondary antibody</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>A-11015</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 594 anti-rabbit secondary antibody</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>A-11012</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Calbindin antibody (goat)</td>
			<td>Santa Cruz</td>
			<td>C-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Animals</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Control transgenic mice</td>
			<td>Harry Orr, Ph.D.</td>
			<td>A02</td>
			<td>Burright, et al. 1997, PMID: 9217978</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SCA1 mice</td>
			<td>Harry Orr, Ph.D.</td>
			<td>B05</td>
			<td>Burright, et al. 1997, PMID: 9217978</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Wildtype mice</td>
			<td>The Jackson Laboratory</td>
			<td>001800</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Equipment</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ESM-100L microtome</td>
			<td>ERMA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Sledge microtome</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluoview FV1200 Confocal Microscope</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glycerol-gelatin slides</td>
			<td>FD Neuro Technologies</td>
			<td>PO101</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hamilton syringe</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>VCAT 80465</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>OXYT1 Oxytherm Electrode Control Unit</td>
			<td>Hansatech Instruments</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>P.T.F.E. paper</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>UX-08277-15</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rotallion Rotarod</td>
			<td>PPP&#38;G</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>contact corresponding author for information</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultimate 3000 HPLC</td>
			<td>Dionex</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Software</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ImageJ</td>
			<td>National Institute of Health</td>
			<td></td>
			<td><a href="http://imagej.nih.gov/ij/">http://imagej.nih.gov/ij/</a></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell counter plugin (for ImageJ)</td>
			<td>National Institute of Health</td>
			<td></td>
			<td><a href="http://rsb.info.nih.gov/ij/plugins/cell-counter.html">http://rsb.info.nih.gov/ij/plugins/cell-counter.html</a></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3P&#38;G Rota-Rod v3.3.3 (rotarod software)</td>
			<td>PPP&#38;G</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>contact corresponding author for information</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phidget21.dll (required for rotarod software)</td>
			<td>DLL-Files.com</td>
			<td></td>
			<td><a href="https://www.dll-files.com/phidget21.dll.html">https://www.dll-files.com/phidget21.dll.html</a></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

treating sca1 mice with water-soluble compounds to non-specifically boost mitochondrial function

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a significant role in the aging process and in neurodegenerative diseases including several hereditary spinocerebellar ataxias and other movement disorders marked by progressive degeneration of the cerebellum. The goal of this protocol is to assess mitochondrial dysfunction in Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) and assess the efficacy of pharmacological targeting of metabolic respiration via the water-soluble compound succinic acid to slow disease progression. This approach is applicable to other cerebellar diseases and can be adapted to a host of water-soluble therapies.
Ex vivo analysis of mitochondrial respiration is used to detect and quantify disease-related changes in mitochondrial function. With genetic evidence (unpublished data) and proteomic evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in the SCA1 mouse model, we evaluate the efficacy of treatment with the water-soluble metabolic booster succinic acid by dissolving this compound directly into the home cage drinking water. The ability of the drug to pass the blood brain barrier can be deduced using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The efficacy of these compounds can then be tested using multiple behavioral paradigms including the accelerating rotarod, balance beam test and footprint analysis. Cytoarchitectural integrity of the cerebellum can be assessed using immunofluorescence assays that detect Purkinje cell nuclei and Purkinje cell dendrites and soma. These methods are robust techniques for determining mitochondrial dysfunction and the efficacy of treatment with water-soluble compounds in cerebellar neurodegenerative disease.

Through pharmacological targeting of cerebellar mitochondria with succinic acid we are able to prevent mitochondrial dysfunction in a mouse model of the cerebellar neurodegenerative disease SCA1. The canonical electron donor of succinate dehydrogenase, succinic acid, was dissolved in home cage drinking water of SCA1 mice for one month, with behavioral assessment beginning during the second week of treatment and neuropathological assessment following treatment (Figure...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Treating SCA1 Mice with Water-Soluble Compounds to Non-Specifically Boost Mitochondrial Function at JoVE.com

Treating SCA1 Mice with Water-Soluble Compounds to Non-Specifically Boost Mitochondrial Function

We present a biochemical and behavioral protocol to evaluate the efficacy of mitochondria-targeted water-soluble compounds for the treatment of Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) and other cerebellar neurodegenerative diseases.

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a significant role in the aging process and in neurodegenerative diseases including several hereditary spinocerebellar ...

The overall goal of this experiment is to observe and quantify the therapeutic effects of water soluble mitochondrial activators on cerebellar behavior and tissue in spinal cerebellar ataxia type one mice. This method can help answer key questions in the spinal cerebellar ataxia fields such as do mitochondrial deficits contribute to disease pathology and could disease be impeded by a water soluble mitochondrial activator. The main advantage of this technique is that succinic acid is an FDA approved inexpensive water soluble compound that can be delivered directly into the brain via the drinking water.The implications of this technique may extend to a therapy of other neurodegenerative diseases because deficits in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes are found in multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease. Generally individuals new to this method will struggle with the initial set up of the behavioral paradigms which may have to be adjusted in order to achieve consistent results. Visual demonstration of this method is beneficial because the behavioral steps may be difficult to reproduce from a written method section, but are easy to replicate with the aid of a visual recording.To begin this procedure, set the runway at a slight upward angle towards the home box, lined with bedding and reward food. Then line a sheet of white paper on the runway. Allow the mouse to acclimate to the home box for five minutes.Next pick up a single subject and paint left and right hind feet with blue and red non-toxic water based paint respectively. Afterward place the subject at the beginning of the runway and allow it to walk to the home box. Once the subject has reached the home box, close the trap door and allow it to stay within the home box for one minute before returning to the respective home cage.Then clean the runway and home box with 30%ethanol and replace the bedding, reward food and runway paper for the next trial. At the same time, collect the runway paper after the experiment and inspect the trial. A successful footprint trial is defined as a minimum of five sequential footprints in which the subject walks towards the gold box without turning around or stopping.Now set up the beam apparatus according to the bar cross specifications with six different beams. At one end of the beam set up a darkened home box with reward food. To train subjects on the beam, assemble the apparatus with beam three.Gently place the subject on the end of the beam opposite to the home box. And allow it to walk across the beam. Allow each subject up to three two minute trials to achieve a successful run.Which is defined as crossing the beam and entering the home box within two minutes. On day four of beam training, assemble the apparatus with beam one. And set up the home box.Place a video camera in front of the apparatus and verify that the full beam apparatus can be clearly captured on video. Allow the mouse to traverse the beam, videotaping each trial and recording the number of successful trials per subject per beam. In this step, acclimate the subjects to their lane reservoir for 10 minutes prior to the start of the trial.During this acclimation period, prepare the rotarod apparatus cleaning each lane of the apparatus with 30%ethanol. Next, open the rotarod software. Set the start settings to four RPM, acceleration settings to five minutes and final speed settings to 40 RPM to provide a constant acceleration from four to 40 RPM over a period of five minutes.After acclimation period, place the subjects onto the rotarod in their respective lanes while the rod is rotating at four RPM. Once all the subjects are in their respective lanes, begin the first trial. Record the latency to fall using the instrument software.A secondary timer can be employed as a backup. Following the trial completion, allow each subject to rest in their respective lane reservoirs for 10 minutes prior to the next trial to prevent fatigue. In this procedure, attach the temperature control box tubing of a sledge microtome from the stage to a sink faucet.Use the temperature control box to cool the microtome stage to 28 degrees Celsius. Then set the sectioning thickness dial to 50 micrometers. Next dab a dime sized portion of OTC solution on to the stage.Before the OTC freezes, use forceps to position the hemisphere so that the mid sagittal cut surface is facedown on the OTC layer. Quickly and gently orient the tissue so that the lateral tip of the hemisphere points toward the blade. Superior to the stage.Working in layers, add additional OTC around the tissue and allow the OTC to freeze fully before adding the next layer. Then add a thin layer of OTC on top of the tissue and freeze it. Subsequently, section the tissue with equal body weight distributed on to the cutting blade.Collect the sections using a fine artist paint brush. And place them into an appropriately labeled well plate containing one XPBS. Between sections, reset the cutting thickness to 50 micrometers if necessary.After sectioning, replace the PBS in each well of the plate with urea solution. And place the plate on ice. When ready, transfer the plate to a heating block set to boiling temperature to boil the sections in urea solution in order to unmask the epitopes for immunolabeling.Between each boiling step, cool the plate containing the tissue sections on ice. After boiling, wash the sections three times, replacing the present solution with one XPBS and agitating the sections for 10 minutes. Then block the sections with donkey serum solution by incubating them in serum for one hour with gentle agitation at room temperature.Sections can now be stained. Once labeled, mount the sections on to 2%gelatin coated slides with mounting medium to reduce photo-bleaching. Cover slip and dry overnight at four degrees Celsius.Subsequently seal the cover slips with nail polish and store at four degrees Celsius. Using a scanning confocal microscope, locate the primary fissure of the cerebellum under the bright field light. The single most critical step of the amino assay is to accurately locate the cerebellar tissue in modules five and six A that flank the primary fissure.Analyzing staining patterns and inconsistent lobules will ensure variability into your result. With a 10X objective, scan and sequentially excite DAPI, Alexa Fluor 488 and Alexa Fluor 594 channels. Using a 405 nanometer diode laser, a 488 nanometer argon gas laser and a 559 nanometer diode laser respectively, in conjunction with a DM 488559 nanometer dichroic beam splitter.Then separate and collect the emitted light using SDM 490 and SDM 560 beam splitters and a BA 575675 bandpass filter respectively. Succinic acid was dissolved in home cage drinking water of SCA1 mice for four weeks beginning at 17 weeks of age. SCA1 mice begin to display the ataxia phenotype at five weeks of age.Behavioral assessments were conducted during the treatment period as follows. Footprint assay during week 17. Beam assay during week 18 and accelerating rotarod during week 19.At 20 weeks of age mice were sacrificed and cerebellar tissue was harvested for amino pathology assays, HPLC assays and respiration assays. Here is the representative data from the footprint assay showing a vehicle treated wild type gate, a vehicle treated SCA1 gate and a succinic acid treated SCA1 gate. Here beam analysis data shows the improvement in beam performance of SCA1 mice with succinic acid treatment.Succinic acid treatment significantly improves the accelerating rotarod performance of SCA1 mice as shown by increased latency to fall. While attempting this procedure it's important to remember to apply the technique consistently to each subject over multiple trials. Following this procedure, other methods like mitochondrial respiration can be performed in order to answer additional questions like is respiration through individual oxidative phosphorylation complexes improved following succinic acid delivery.After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to perform behavioral and neuro-pathological assays. That assess the improvement of cerebellar behavior and cytoarchitecture.

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Tumor Treating Field Therapy in Combination with Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma

A novel device that employs TTF therapy has recently been developed and is currently in use for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM). It was FDA approved in April 2011 for the treatment of patients 22 years or older with rGBM. The device delivers alternating electric fields and is programmed to ensure maximal tumor cell kill1.
Glioblastoma is the most common type of glioma and has an estimated incidence of approximately 10,000 new cases per year in the United States alone2. This tumor is particularly resistant to treatment and is uniformly fatal especially in the recurrent setting3-5. Prior to the approval of the TTF System, the only FDA approved treatment for rGBM was bevacizumab6. Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeted against the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein that drives tumor angiogenesis7. By blocking the VEGF pathway, bevacizumab can result in a significant radiographic response (pseudoresponse), improve progression free survival and reduce corticosteroid requirements in rGBM patients8,9. Bevacizumab however failed to prolong overall survival in a recent phase III trial26. A pivotal phase III trial (EF-11) demonstrated comparable overall survival between physicians&#8217; choice chemotherapy and TTF Therapy but better quality of life were observed in the TTF arm10.
There is currently an unmet need to develop novel approaches designed to prolong overall survival and/or improve quality of life in this unfortunate patient population. One appealing approach would be to combine the two currently approved treatment modalities namely bevacizumab and TTF Therapy. These two treatments are currently approved as monotherapy11,12, but their combination has never been evaluated in a clinical trial. We have developed an approach for combining those two treatment modalities and treated 2 rGBM patients. Here we describe a detailed methodology outlining this novel treatment protocol and present representative data from one of the treated patients.

A novel methodology that is employed for the treatment of recurrent glioblastomas is described. This treatment approach employs the application of alternating electric tumor treating fields (TTFields), known as TTF Therapy in combination with bevacizumab, a targeted agent that is currently FDA approved as monotherapy.

A novel device that employs TTF therapy has recently been developed and is currently in use for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM). It was FDA ...

Using Saccadometry with Deep Brain Stimulation to Study Normal and Pathological Brain Function

The oculomotor system involves a large number of brain areas including parts of the basal ganglia, and various neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's and Huntington's can disrupt it. People with Parkinson's disease, for example, tend to have increased saccadic latencies. Consequently, the quantitative measurement of saccadic eye movements has received considerable attention as a potential biomarker for neurodegenerative conditions. A lot more can be learned about the brain in both health and disease by observing what happens to eye movements when the function of specific brain areas is perturbed. Deep brain stimulation is a surgical intervention used for the management of a range of neurological conditions including Parkinson's disease, in which stimulating electrodes are placed in specific brain areas including several sites in the basal ganglia. Eye movement measurements can then be made with the stimulator systems both off and on and the results compared. With suitable experimental design, this approach can be used to study the pathophysiology of the disease being treated, the mechanism by which DBS exerts it beneficial effects, and even aspects of normal neurophysiology.

This paper describes the use of quantitative measurement of eye movements in conjunction with stimulation of focal areas of the deep brain in order to study physiology, pathophysiology, and the mechanisms of deep brain stimulation.

The oculomotor system involves a large number of brain areas including parts of the basal ganglia, and various neurodegenerative diseases including ...

Assessment of Respiratory Function in Conscious Mice by Double-chamber Plethysmography

Air volume changes created by a conscious subject breathing spontaneously within a body box are at the basis of plethysmography, a technique used to non-invasively assess some features of the respiratory function in humans as well as in laboratory animals. The present article focuses on the application of the double-chamber plethysmography (DCP) in small animals. It provides background information on the methodology as well as a detailed step-by-step procedure to successfully assess respiratory function in conscious, spontaneously breathing animals in a non-invasive manner. The DCP can be used to monitor the respiratory function of multiple animals in parallel, as well as to identify changes induced by aerosolized substances over a chosen time period and in a repeated manner. Experiments on control and allergic mice are used herein to demonstrate the utility of the technique, explain the associated outcome parameters, as well as to discuss the related advantages and shortcomings. Overall, the DCP provides valid and theoretically sound readouts that can be trusted to evaluate the respiratory function of conscious small animals both at baseline and after challenges with aerosolized substances.

The objective of the present article is to provide a detailed description of the recommended procedures to evaluate respiratory function in conscious mice by double-chamber plethysmography.

Air volume changes created by a conscious subject breathing spontaneously within a body box are at the basis of plethysmography, a technique used to ...

Non-invasive Assessment of Dorsiflexor Muscle Function in Mice

Assessment of skeletal muscle contractile function is an important measurement for both clinical and research purposes. Numerous conditions can negatively affect skeletal muscle. This can result in a loss of muscle mass (atrophy) and/or loss of muscle quality (reduced force per unit of muscle mass), both of which are prevalent in chronic disease, muscle-specific disease, immobilization, and aging (sarcopenia). Skeletal muscle function in animals can be evaluated by a range of different tests. All tests have limitations related to the physiological testing environment, and the selection of a specific test often depends on the nature of the experiments. Here, we describe an in vivo, non-invasive technique involving a helpful and easy assessment of force frequency-curve (FFC) in mice that can be performed on the same animal over time. This permits monitoring of disease progression and/or efficacy&#160;of a potential therapeutic treatment.

Measurement of rodent skeletal muscle contractile function is a useful tool that can be used to track disease progression as well as efficacy of therapeutic intervention. We describe here the non-invasive, in vivo assessment of the dorsiflexor muscles that can be repeated over time in the same mouse.

Assessment of skeletal muscle contractile function is an important measurement for both clinical and research purposes. Numerous conditions can negatively ...

Genotyping Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Mitochondrial Genome by Pyrosequencing

Mutations in the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) have been associated with maternally inherited genetic diseases. However, interest in mtDNA polymorphisms has increased in recent years due to the recently developed ability to produce models by mtDNA mutagenesis and a new appreciation of the association between mitochondrial genetic aberrations and common age-related diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and dementia. Pyrosequencing is a sequencing-by-synthesis technique that is widely employed across the mitochondrial field for routine genotyping experiments. Its relative affordability when compared to massive parallel sequencing methods and ease of implementation make it an invaluable technique in the field of mitochondrial genetics, allowing for the rapid quantification of heteroplasmy with increased flexibility. Despite the practicality of this method, its implementation as a means of mtDNA genotyping requires the observation of certain guidelines, specifically to avoid certain biases of biological or technical origin. This protocol outlines the necessary steps and precautions in designing and implementing pyrosequencing assays for use in the context of heteroplasmy measurement.

Pyrosequencing assays enable the robust and rapid genotyping of mitochondrial DNA single nucleotide polymorphisms in heteroplasmic cells or tissues.

Mutations in the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) have been associated with maternally inherited genetic diseases. However, interest in mtDNA polymorphisms ...

Determining Respiration in Human Sperm Cells by High-Resolution Respirometry

High-Resolution Respirometry to Assess Mitochondrial Function in Human Spermatozoa

Semen quality is often studied by routine semen analysis, which is descriptive and often inconclusive. Male infertility is associated with altered sperm mitochondrial activity, so the measurement of sperm mitochondrial function is an indicator of sperm quality. High-resolution respirometry is a method of measuring the oxygen consumption of cells or tissues in a closed-chamber system. This technique can be implemented to measure respiration in human sperm and provides information about the quality and integrity of the sperm mitochondria. High-resolution respirometry allows the cells to move freely, which is an a priori advantage in the case of sperm. This technique can be applied with intact or permeabilized spermatozoa and allows for the study of intact sperm mitochondrial function and the activity of individual respiratory chain complexes. The high-resolution oxygraph instrument uses sensors to measure the oxygen concentration coupled with sensitive software to calculate the oxygen consumption. The data are used to calculate respiratory indices based on the oxygen consumption ratios. Consequently, the indices are the proportions of two oxygen consumption rates and are internally normalized to the cell number or protein mass. The respiratory indices are an indicator of sperm mitochondrial function and dysfunction.

Author Spotlight: Advancing Male Infertility Research by Unraveling Sperm Metabolism and Mitochondrial Function 

The analysis of sperm mitochondrial function by high-resolution respirometry permits the measurement of the oxygen consumption of freely moving spermatozoa in a closed-chamber system. The technique can be applied to measure respiration in human spermatozoa, which provides information on sperm mitochondrial characteristics and integrity.

Semen quality is often studied by routine semen analysis, which is descriptive and often inconclusive. Male infertility is associated with altered sperm ...

Standardized Tuina Protocol for Rat DRG Compression Model

Analgesic Effect of Tuina on Rat Models with Compression of the Dorsal Root Ganglion Pain

Neuropathic pain is a prevalent condition that affects 6.9%-10% of the population and results from nerve damage due to various etiologies, such as lumbar disc herniation, spinal canal stenosis, and intervertebral foramen stenosis. Although Tuina, a traditional Chinese manual therapy, has shown analgesic effects in clinical practice for the treatment of neuropathic pain, its underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain unclear. Animal models are essential for elucidating the basic principles of Tuina. In this study, we propose a standardized Tuina protocol for rats with compression of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), which involves inducing DRG compression by inserting a stainless steel rod into the intervertebral foramen, performing Tuina manipulation with specific parameters of location, intensity, and frequency in a controlled environment, and assessing the behavioral and histopathological outcomes of Tuina treatment. This article also discusses the potential clinical implications and limitations of the study and suggests directions for future research on Tuina.

Author Spotlight: Analgesic Effect of Tuina on Rat Models with Compression of the Dorsal Root Ganglion Pain  

This article presents a manipulation for treating chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion in rats using Tuina therapy, along with a method for evaluating its effectiveness based on pain behavior and histopathological results.

Neuropathic pain is a prevalent condition that affects 6.9%-10% of the population and results from nerve damage due to various etiologies, such as lumbar ...

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and frequent disease in elderly patients, with a tendency for progressive exacerbation. Constipation that reduces the quality of life and triggers the risk of diseases is a common concomitant symptom in patients with COPD. Currently, western medical treatment does not achieve the desired results for patients. A high recurrence rate accompanies it, whereas traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and rich experience in treating chronic diseases. Both acupoint application and acupoint massage are characteristic therapies of TCM, with minor side effects, high safety, simple operation, and outstanding advantages. They are effective in treating constipation for patients with COPD and are considered an ideal alternative therapy for patients with chronic constipation. The purpose of this article is to introduce the method of acupoint application combined with acupoint massage for the treatment of constipation in patients with COPD, including the selection of points, items, treatment time, and operation procedure.

Here we demonstrate acupoint application combined with acupoint massage for treating constipation in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and frequent disease in elderly patients, with a tendency for progressive exacerbation. ...

Establishment of the KOA Model in Rabbits Using the Modified Videman Method

Application of Acupotomy in a Knee Osteoarthritis Model in Rabbit

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most frequently encountered diseases in the orthopedic department, which seriously reduces the quality of life of people with KOA. Among several pathogenic factors, the biomechanical imbalance of the knee joint is one of the main causes of KOA. Acupotomology believes that restoring the mechanical balance of the knee joint is the key to treating KOA. Clinical studies have shown that acupotomy can effectively reduce pain and improve knee mobility by reducing adhesion, contracture of soft tissues, and stress concentration points in muscles and tendons around the knee joint. 
In this protocol, we used the modified Videman method to establish a KOA model by immobilizing the left hindlimb in a straight position. We have outlined the method of operation and the precautions related to acupotomy in detail and evaluated the efficacy of acupotomy in conjunction with the theory of "Modulating Muscles and Tendons to Treat Bone Disorders" through the detection of the mechanical properties of quadriceps femoris and tendon, as well as cartilage mechanics and morphology. The results show that acupotomy has a protective effect on cartilage by adjusting the mechanical properties of the soft tissues around the knee joint, improving the cartilage stress environment, and delaying cartilage degeneration.

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Mechanism of Action of Acupotomy in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis

In this protocol, a knee osteoarthritis model was prepared using the modified Videman method, and the operation procedures and precautions of acupotomy are detailed. The effectiveness of acupotomy has been demonstrated by testing the mechanical properties of quadriceps femoris and tendon and the mechanical and morphological properties of cartilage.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most frequently encountered diseases in the orthopedic department, which seriously reduces the quality of life of ...

Enhancing Stroke Rehabilitation with Virtual Reality-Based Occupational Training

Cognitive Function and Upper Limb Rehabilitation Training Post-Stroke Using a Digital Occupational Training System

Stroke rehabilitation often requires frequent and intensive therapy to improve functional recovery. Virtual reality (VR) technology has shown the potential to meet these demands by providing engaging and motivating therapy options. The digital occupational training system is a VR application that utilizes cutting-edge technologies, including multi-touch screens, virtual reality, and human-computer interaction, to offer diverse training techniques for advanced cognitive capacity and hand-eye coordination abilities. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of this program in enhancing cognitive function and upper extremity rehabilitation in stroke patients. The training and assessment consist of five cognitive modules covering perception, attention, memory, logical reasoning, and calculation, along with hand-eye coordination training. This research indicates that after eight weeks of training, the digital occupational training system can significantly improve cognitive function, daily living skills, attention, and self-care abilities in stroke patients. This software can be employed as a time-saving and clinically effective rehabilitation aid to complement traditional one-on-one occupational therapy sessions. In summary, the digital occupational training system shows promise and offers potential financial benefits as a tool to support the functional recovery of stroke patients.

Author Spotlight: Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients With a Digital Occupational Training System

The current protocol outlines how the VR-based digital occupational training system enhances the rehabilitation of patients with cognitive impairment and upper limb dysfunction following a stroke.