The authors wish to acknowledge Yerkes National Primate Research Center for access to chimpanzee and rhesus macaque specimens, and Chris Vinyard (Northeast Ohio Medical University) for access to common marmoset specimens. We thank Marissa Boettcher, Kaitlyn Leonard, and Antonia Meza at the University of North Carolina for assistance with the scanning process. This work was performed in part at the Duke University Shared Materials Instrumentation Facility (SMIF), a member of the North Carolina Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network (RTNN), which is supported by the National Science Foundation (Grant ECCS-1542015) as part of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI). This is Duke Lemur Center publication number 1405.

Because these procedures use animals that died from natural causes at zoos or were sacrificed in research labs where they were part of unrelated studies, these protocols do not require IACUC approvals.
1. Reverse Dissection
Note: The protocol for reverse dissection is effective for very small mammals, such as laboratory mice, all the way to large land mammals, such as the domestic horse. The mimetic muscles are often best preserved and best visualized when left with the overlying dermis instead of leaving them behind on the skull. See Figure&#160;1-3.
<ol>
	<li>Disarticulate head from cervical part of the vertebral column prior to dissection procedures. If the cadaver is frozen, allow it to thaw completely before proceeding through this step.
	<ol>
		<li>Regardless of the state of preservation, palpate the occipital region of the skull and the spinous process of the second cervical vertebra (C2). Note that the first cervical vertebra (C1) lacks a spinous process, so palpating C2 and the occipital region of the skull will give an approximate location of C1.</li>
		<li>Using a scalpel, make horizontal cuts between the occipital region of the skull and C2 in order to begin separating the skull from the vertebral column at C1. Continue to make cuts until the skull is disarticulated from the vertebral column.</li>
		<li>If the specimen is fresh and unfixed, steps 1.1.2-1.2 need to be executed in a relatively short time frame. Additionally, if the brain remains intact inside the cranial cavity, necrosis of the neural tissue may proceed rapidly, so it is highly recommended that the brain be removed from the cadaver if the specimen is to remain unfixed. 
		&#8203;NOTE: As an optional step, the specimen can be immersed in 10% buffered formalin for 24 hours in order to fix the specimen. This will allow for an unhurried data collection procedure.</li>
		<li>If the specimen is already fixed with ethyl alcohol or 10% buffered formalin, rinse for several hours with fresh water.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Make incisions to release facial mask from skull. If the brain and overlying calvaria have been removed during necropsy, make one incision near the glabellar region of the skull and another along the caudal aspect of the skull where the cranial bone is intact.
	<ol>
		<li>Once the specimen has been rinsed for several hours, pat dry with paper towels and transfer to work station.</li>
		<li>Palpate for the external occipital protuberance at the caudal (or rear) edge of the skull. This marks the area where the skull meets the spinal column. Using a #4 scalpel for large specimens or a #3 scalpel for small specimens, make a mid-line incision beginning at the external occipital protuberance and coming rostrally (or forward) over the parietal and frontal region of the skull, over the orbital region and between the eyes, down the nasal region, all the way through the external nasal area between the nares.</li>
		<li>Make a cut on the mandible between the lower, central incisors and move caudally (or backwards) toward the clavicle.</li>
		<li>Choose one side of the face mask to remove and leave the other side in place.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Release one side of the facial mask from the skull.
	<ol>
		<li>Starting in the occipital region, use the scalpel to cut the facial mask, including mimetic musculature, away from the occipital bone of the skull, pulling the mask rostrally (or forward) and laterally (to the side). Cut the occipitalis muscle away from the skull, leaving a small amount of the muscle behind on the skull so that its attachment can still be visualized once the facial mask has been removed. By leaving some portion of the muscle behind on the bony/cartilaginous skull, attachments can be preserved for recording at a later time.</li>
		<li>Once the external ear is hit, locate the auricular muscles. Cut through these so that a small portion of each remains with the skull. Cut through the elastic cartilage attaching the external ear to the skull.</li>
		<li>Continue to pull the mask rostrally and release each mimetic muscle from the skull by leaving a small portion of each muscle behind on the skull.</li>
		<li>Once there is an intact facial mask from one side of the skull, allow it to sit out, exposed to the air, for an hour (for small specimens like a lab rat) up to three hours (for a large specimen like a domestic horse), with the musculature side facing up. This step desiccates some of the connective tissue on the face mask and increases color contrast between muscle and connective tissue.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Remove sufficient connective tissue to visualize musculature.
	<ol>
		<li>Using a #3 scalpel, forceps, and microscissors, pluck away the connective tissue that separates the mimetic musculature from one another.</li>
		<li>To access the superficial layer of mimetic musculature in this &#34;reverse dissection&#34;, gently lift and separate the deep layer of musculature from the superficial layer and remove the connective tissue surrounding the superficial musculature. The resulting face mask can be returned to formalin, and the procedure can be paused here before moving on to further dissection or to staining (Step 2). At each intervening step in further dissection, allow the facial mask to dry enough so that connective tissue can be easily discerned from muscle tissue.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. Staining Process for DiceCT
NOTE: Specimens must be fixed in 10% buffered formalin if DiceCT is to be used in order to preserve the tissue during the lengthy staining procedure. If the specimen has not yet been fixed, place it in a container with enough 10% buffered formalin to submerge all tissue and leave it for 48 hours.
<ol>
	<li>Make 1.75% (m/v) Lugol&#39;s iodine solution (I2KI) for staining face mask. 
	&#8203;NOTE: Make enough I2KI solution to fully submerge the face mask within the chosen container. Make more or less solution by scaling the values of both the solutes and the solvent equally in steps 2.1.1 and 2.1.2.
	<ol>
		<li>Under a fume hood, add 3.50 g potassium iodide (KI) to 200 mL distilled water in a large glass beaker. Stir using glass stirring rod until fully dissolved. 
		CAUTION: Potassium iodide (KI) can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation or damage. Wear protective eyewear and handle under a fume hood.</li>
		<li>Slowly add 1.75 g of iodine crystals (I2), stirring until fully dissolved. This will take several minutes. 
		CAUTION: Iodine crystals (I2) can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation or damage. Wear eye and skin protection and work under a fume hood while handling this chemical.</li>
		<li>Filter solution into amber glass bottle using filter paper with 11 micron pore size to remove any undissolved crystals that could produce inconsistent staining. 
		CAUTION: This solution is highly toxic to aquatic life. Do not dispose of solution down drain. In case of spill, neutralize aqueous triiodide (I3-) into iodide (I-) with 5% (m/v) sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3). Check institutional waste disposal policies for iodide and dispose of this waste accordingly.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Stain the face mask.
	<ol>
		<li>Place the face mask cut side down in an amber glass or blacked out container (to keep out light) large enough to allow the face mask to rest in a natural shape and to be fully submerged.</li>
		<li>Pour the Lugol&#39;s iodine solution over the face mask until it is completely submerged. A weight may be needed to keep the face mask fully submerged and prevent it from floating to the top of the solution. Seal the container to prevent evaporation and keep out light.</li>
		<li>Agitate the container continually on an electric rocker or regularly by hand to facilitate even staining and prevent crystals from settling for at least two weeks. If a longer time is needed to adequately stain the muscle fascicles, replace the Lugol&#39;s solution with fresh solution.</li>
		<li>After two weeks, remove the face mask from the solution. Pour a small amount of distilled water over both surfaces of the face mask to rinse. Wrap the face mask in damp paper towels and place in a sealed plastic bag for at least 24 hours to allow for slight drying before moving on to the next step. 
		NOTE: The protocol can be paused for up to a week. Ensure that the face mask remains slightly damp during this period.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
3. DiceCT scanning
<ol>
	<li>Prepare face mask for CT scanning.
	<ol>
		<li>Mount the face masks onto a low-density material, such as floral foam, to eliminate any wrinkles in the mask and to limit movement of the mask as the mask dries out slightly during scanning. Secure the face mask to the foam with wooden toothpicks.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Setting the CT scan parameters and scanning.
	<ol>
		<li>Use a high resolution for these scans, as the small fascicles will be obscured at lower resolution. Use an inter-slice spacing and inter pixel distance around 0.05 mm.</li>
		<li>Scan the mounted face mask on a High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Scanner.</li>
		<li>If fascicles are unable to be fully visualized, due to over-staining, place face mask into 10% formalin solution or into 5% sodium thiosulfate to remove some of the stain. If fascicles are not sufficiently stained, return to Lugol&#39;s iodine solution. After adjusting the staining, scan the face mask again. Continue to make necessary adjustments and scan until fascicles are able to be fully visualized.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
4. Prepare the face mask for long-term preservation.
<ol>
	<li>Chemically neutralize the iodine stain in the face mask, removing discoloration from the staining process.
	<ol>
		<li>Place stained face mask into 5% (m/v) sodium thiosulfate solution to chemically neutralize specimen. This may take several hours or days. Agitate regularly during destaining.</li>
		<li>Return destained face mask to 10% formalin solution for preservation. If stain continues to leach out of specimen into solution, replace discolored formalin with fresh formalin until it remains clear for long-term preservation.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

<ol><li>Gregory, W. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&safe=off&q=author%3aGregory%2C+WK+%22Our+face+from+fish+to+man%22">Our face from fish to man</a>. , G.P. Putnam's Sons. New York. (1929).</li>
<li>Burrows, A. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((The+facial+expression+musculature+in+primates+and+its+evolutionary+significance%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22BioEssays%22%5BJournal%5D)">The facial expression musculature in primates and its evolutionary significance.</a> BioEssays. 30, 212-215 (2008).</li>
<li>Santana, S. E., Dobson, S. D., Diogo, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Plain+faces+are+more+expressive%3A+comparative+study+of+facial+colour%2C+mobility+and+in+primates%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Biology+Letters%22%5BJournal%5D)">Plain faces are more expressive: comparative study of facial colour, mobility and in primates.</a> Biology Letters. , (2014).</li>
<li>Burrows, A. M., Cohn, J. F. Comparative anatomy of the face. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.springer.com/us/book/9781489974877">Encyclopedia of Biometrics</a>. Li, S. Z., Jain, A. K. , Springer. New York. (2014).</li>
<li>Liebal, K., Waller, B. M., Burrows, A. M., Slocombe, K. <a target="_blank" href="NULL">Primate Communication</a>. , Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. (2013).</li>
<li>Rowe, N., Myers, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&safe=off&q=author%3aRowe%2C+N+%22All+the+World%27s+Primates%22">All the World's Primates</a>. , Pogonias Press. Charlestown, RI. (2016).</li>
<li>Burrows, A. M., Waller, B. M., Micheletta, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Mimetic+muscles+in+a+despotic+macaque+%28Macaca+mulatta%29+differ+from+those+in+a+closely+related+tolerant+macaque+%28M.+nigra%29%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Anatomical+Record%22%5BJournal%5D)">Mimetic muscles in a despotic macaque (Macaca mulatta) differ from those in a closely related tolerant macaque (M. nigra).</a> Anatomical Record. 299, 1317-1324 (2016).</li>
<li>Burrows, A. M., Parr, L. A., Durham, E. L., Matthews, L. C., Smith, T. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Human+faces+are+slower+than+chimpanzee+faces%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22PLoS+One%22%5BJournal%5D)">Human faces are slower than chimpanzee faces.</a> PLoS One. 9, 0110523(2014).</li>
<li>Burrows, A. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Functional+morphology+of+mimetic+musculature+in+primates%3A+how+social+variables+and+body+size+stack+up+to+phylogeny%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Anatomical+Record%22%5BJournal%5D)">Functional morphology of mimetic musculature in primates: how social variables and body size stack up to phylogeny.</a> Anatomical Record. 301, 202-215 (2018).</li>
<li>Burrows, A. M., Smith, T. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Muscles+of+facial+expression+in+Otolemur%2C+with+a+comparison+to+Lemuroidea%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Anatomical+Record%22%5BJournal%5D)">Muscles of facial expression in Otolemur, with a comparison to Lemuroidea.</a> Anatomical Record. 274, 827-836 (2003).</li>
<li>Burrows, A. M., Li, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://meeting.physanth.org/program/2015/session36/burrows-2015-whats-inside-tarsier-faces.html">What's inside tarsier faces.</a> Yearbook of Physical Anthropology. 60, 96(2015).</li>
<li>Dickinson, E., Stark, H., Kupczik, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Non-destructive+determination+of+muscle+architectural+variables+through+the+use+of+DiceCT%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Anatomical+Record%22%5BJournal%5D)">Non-destructive determination of muscle architectural variables through the use of DiceCT.</a> Anatomical Record. 301, 363-377 (2018).</li>
<li>March, D., Hartstone-Rose, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Functional+morphology+and+behavioral+correlates+to+postcranial+musculature%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Anatomical+Record%22%5BJournal%5D)">Functional morphology and behavioral correlates to postcranial musculature.</a> Anatomical Record. 301, 419-423 (2018).</li>
<li>Santana, S. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Comparative+anatomy+of+bat+jaw+musculature+via+diffusible+iodine-based+contrast-enhanced+computed+tomography%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Anatomical+Record%22%5BJournal%5D)">Comparative anatomy of bat jaw musculature via diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography.</a> Anatomical Record. 301, 267-278 (2018).</li>
<li>Burrows, A. M., Waller, B. M., Parr, L. A., Bonar, C. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Muscles+of+facial+expression+in+the+chimpanzee+%28Pan+troglodytes%29%3A+descriptive%2C+comparative+and+phylogenetic+contexts%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Anatomy%22%5BJournal%5D)">Muscles of facial expression in the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes): descriptive, comparative and phylogenetic contexts.</a> Journal of Anatomy. 208, 153-167 (2006).</li>
<li>Burrows, A. M., Waller, B. M., Parr, L. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Facial+musculature+in+the+rhesus+macaque+%28Macaca+mulatta%29%3A+evolutionary+and+functional+contexts+with+comparisons+to+chimpanzees+and+humans%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Anatomy%22%5BJournal%5D)">Facial musculature in the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta): evolutionary and functional contexts with comparisons to chimpanzees and humans.</a> Journal of Anatomy. 215, 320-334 (2009).</li>
<li>Cox, P. G., Jeffery, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Reviewing+the+Morphology+of+the+Jaw-Closing+Musculature+in+Squirrels%2C+Rats%2C+and+Guinea+Pigs+with+Contrast-Enhanced+MicroCt%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Anatomical+Record%22%5BJournal%5D)">Reviewing the Morphology of the Jaw-Closing Musculature in Squirrels, Rats, and Guinea Pigs with Contrast-Enhanced MicroCt.</a> Anatomical Record. 294, 915-928 (2011).</li>
<li>Gignac, P. M., Kley, N. J., Clarke, J. A., Colbert, M. W., Morhardt, A. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Diffusible+iodine-based+contrast-enhanced+computed+tomography+%28diceCT%29%3A+An+emerging+tool+for+rapid%2C+high-resolution%2C+3-D+imaging+of+metazoan+soft+tissues%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Anatomy%22%5BJournal%5D)">Diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (diceCT): An emerging tool for rapid, high-resolution, 3-D imaging of metazoan soft tissues.</a> Journal of Anatomy. 228, 889-909 (2016).</li>
</ol>

The authors have no disclosures to report.

Following the steps for the &#34;reverse dissection&#34; protocol typically produces a facial mask that can be slowly and methodically dissected to reveal mimetic musculature, regardless of the size of the head. It is especially important to move slowly and continuously assess whether the muscles have been completely cut through inadvertently, especially in smaller bodied species.
In order to determine where the musculature is located, it is especially critical to allow the developing mask to ...

Mimetic musculature, or facial expression musculature, is skeletal muscle and is found throughout Mammalia1. While most mammalian skeletal muscle attaches to discrete bony landmarks, mimetic musculature is unique in its attachments primarily into the skin of the face, scalp, and the ventral aspect of the neck1,2,3,4. Mimetic musculature contraction deforms the &#34;facial mask&#34; into expressions or facial displays of social and emotional intent, changes the size and shape of the sphincters of the eye, nasal cavity, and oral cavity used in feeding, respiration, and in vocalizations, and is part of the overall close-proximity visual communication mechanism found among most mammals2,3,4,5. Across Mammalia, the facial displays generated by mimetic muscles assist in regulating and maintaining territorial boundaries, social bonds, and the social group by cuing conspecifics on the emotional and behavioral intentions of the sender2,5.
Among mammals, primates are characterized in part as employing a high level of social behavior throughout the life cycle with all species living in a social group2,5. While some taxa, such as the nocturnal galagos and lorises, may live in groups consisting only of a mother and offspring, other taxa, such as the diurnal macaques and baboons, may live in groups of over 100 individuals6. No matter the size of the social group, primates often use stereotyped social behaviors associated with rank and territoriality and these behaviors typically include a facial display component. Facial displays are part of the process of maintaining bonds among member of social groups, dominance hierarchies, reproduction, and the communication that is part of daily life, especially in diurnal species2,5,7. While it has been clear for some time that facial musculature is used to create these facial displays, it has only recently become apparent that facial musculature form and physiology are associated with the functional demands of social variables2,8. Previous studies on phylogenetically and behaviorally diverse ranges of primates have shown that diurnal species living in large, complex social groups tend to have a high number of discrete facial displays that focus on movement of the lips, eyebrows, and eyelids with a high number of facial muscles clustered around the lips and orbital region9. In contrast, there have been few studies on nocturnal species living in small groups, but these species have a high number of discrete facial muscles with attachments around the external ear and lips, which may be associated with movements of the ear and lips (which have been documented in some nocturnal species in agonistic encounters with conspecifics and locating sounds)2,9,10,11. In addition, humans have a relatively higher percentage of slow-twitch myosin fibers in mimetic musculature than either rhesus macaques or chimpanzees, which may be related to the &#34;slowing down&#34; in contraction of human mimetic musculature around the lips used during production of speech sounds or to general fatigue-resistance capability of the muscles8.
Humans are, arguably, the most social of all primates, and have developed language as one component of social communication. Still, though, humans use facial expression as a means of visual communication and have the greatest known facial display repertoire among primates. In an effort to more completely understand the variables surrounding the evolution of human and general primate social behavior, an increased understanding of the morphology and physiology of primate mimetic musculature is highly desirable. Because mimetic musculature is attached to the skin itself and may, in some species, be exceptionally thin and difficult to visualize, we have developed a unique method of visualizing this musculature for both the processes of recording gross presence/absence and attachments as well as sampling for microanatomical processing.
&#34;Reverse dissection&#34; is a method for preserving the mimetic musculature by removing the entire facial mask from the head and increasing visibility of even small muscles. Because reverse dissection is a destructive process, rare and valuable specimens may not always be available for this methodology. DiceCT is an effective method that can visualize many of the mimetic muscles in even tiny species12,13,14. This method can be used in concert with reverse dissection or in cases where rare, valuable specimens may not be dissected and can provide much information without having to remove the facial mask in &#34;reverse dissection&#34;12,13,14. The present protocol describes a set of methods for combining reverse dissection with DiceCT in order to examine primate mimetic musculature.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Nikon XTH 225 ST</td><td>Nikon</td><td></td><td>no catalog numbers</td></tr><tr><td>10% buffered formalin</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>SF98-4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Iodine, ACS Grade</td><td>Lab Chem, Inc.</td><td>LC155901</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sodium thiosulfate</td><td>Acros Organics</td><td>AC450620010</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Potassium Iodide</td><td>Alfa Aesar</td><td>A1270430</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

reverse dissection and dicect reveal otherwise hidden data in the evolution of the primate face

Facial expressions, or facial displays, of social or emotional intent are produced by many mammalian taxa as a means of visually communicating with conspecifics at a close range. These displays are achieved by contraction of the mimetic muscles, which are skeletal muscle attached to the dermis of the face. Reverse dissection, removing the full facial mask from the skull and approaching mimetic muscles in reverse, is an effective but destructive way of revealing the morphology of mimetic muscles but it is destructive. DiceCT is a novel mechanism for visualizing skeletal muscles, including mimetic muscles, and isolating individual muscle fascicles for quantitative measurement. Additionally, DiceCT provides a non-destructive mechanism for visualizing muscles. The combined techniques of reverse dissection and DiceCT can be used to assess the evolutionary morphology of mimetic musculature as well as potential contraction strength and velocity in these muscles. This study further demonstrates that DiceCT can be used to accurately and reliably visualize mimetic muscles as well as reverse dissection and provide a non-destructive method for sampling mimetic muscles.

This section presents examples of results on facial musculature form that can be achieved by using &#34;reverse dissection&#34; in concert with DiceCT scanning. By using &#34;reverse dissection&#34; to create a facial mask, a fuller representation of mimetic (facial) muscle can sometimes be seen than in traditional dissection methodology. This method works on a range of body sizes from the tiny, small-bodied primates, for example the common marmoset Callithrix jacchus (<strong cl...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Reverse Dissection and DiceCT Reveal Otherwise Hidden Data in the Evolution of the Primate Face at JoVE.com

Reverse Dissection and DiceCT Reveal Otherwise Hidden Data in the Evolution of the Primate Face

Facial expressions are a mode of visual communication produced by mimetic muscles. Here, we present protocols for the novel techniques of reverse dissection and DiceCT to fully visualize and assess mimetic muscles. These combined techniques can examine both morphological and physiological aspects of mimetic musculature to determine functional aspects.

Facial expressions, or facial displays, of social or emotional intent are produced by many mammalian taxa as a means of visually communicating with ...

reverse-dissection-dicect-reveal-otherwise-hidden-data-evolution

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

6.9K Views.  Duquesne University. Deze methode kan helpen bij het beantwoorden van belangrijke vragen in de evolutionaire biologie, zoals de evolutie van sociale communicatie. De belangrijkste voordelen van deze techniek zijn dat het direct bewijs levert voor vorm en aanwezigheid van mimetisch spierstelsel. Het elimineert giswerk in het dissectieproces, en het behoudt spierlagen.In combinatie met DiceCT is omgekeerde dissectie de nieuwe gouden standaard voor mimetisch spieronderzoek. Volg om te beginnen het bijbehorend...

Video: Reverse Dissection and DiceCT Reveal Otherwise Hidden Data in the Evolution of the Primate Face

Perceptual and Category Processing of the Uncanny Valley Hypothesis' Dimension of Human Likeness: Some Methodological Issues

Mori's Uncanny Valley Hypothesis1,2 proposes that the perception of humanlike characters such as robots and, by extension, avatars (computer-generated characters) can evoke negative or positive affect (valence) depending on the object's degree of visual and behavioral realism along a dimension of human likeness (DHL) (Figure 1). But studies of affective valence of subjective responses to variously realistic non-human characters have produced inconsistent findings 3, 4, 5, 6. One of a number of reasons for this is that human likeness is not perceived as the hypothesis assumes. While the DHL can be defined following Mori's description as a smooth linear change in the degree of physical humanlike similarity, subjective perception of objects along the DHL can be understood in terms of the psychological effects of categorical perception (CP) 7. Further behavioral and neuroimaging investigations of category processing and CP along the DHL and of the potential influence of the dimension's underlying category structure on affective experience are needed. This protocol therefore focuses on the DHL and allows examination of CP. Based on the protocol presented in the video as an example, issues surrounding the methodology in the protocol and the use in "uncanny" research of stimuli drawn from morph continua to represent the DHL are discussed in the article that accompanies the video. The use of neuroimaging and morph stimuli to represent the DHL in order to disentangle brain regions neurally responsive to physical human-like similarity from those responsive to category change and category processing is briefly illustrated.

Investigation of the Uncanny Valley Hypothesis and affective experience requires an understanding of the hypothesis' dimension of human likeness (DHL). This protocol allows representation of the DHL and examination of categorical perception. Use of the same stimuli and fMRI to distinguish brain regions responsive to physical and category change is illustrated.

Mori's Uncanny Valley Hypothesis1,2 proposes that the perception of humanlike characters such as robots and, by extension, avatars (computer-generated ...

Behavior

Dissecting the Non-human Primate Brain in Stereotaxic Space

The use of non-human primates provides an excellent translational model for our understanding of developmental and aging processes in humans1-6. In addition, the use of non-human primates has recently afforded the opportunity to naturally model complex psychiatric disorders such as alcohol abuse7. Here we describe a technique for blocking the brain in the coronal plane of the vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops sabeus) in the intact skull in stereotaxic space. The method described here provides a standard plane of section between blocks and subjects and minimizes partial sections between blocks. Sectioning a block of tissue in the coronal plane also facilitates the delineation of an area of interest. This method provides manageable sized blocks since a single hemisphere of the vervet monkey yields more than 1200 sections when slicing at 50&mu;m. Furthermore by blocking the brain into 1cm blocks, it facilitates penetration of sucrose for cyroprotection and allows the block to be sliced on a standard cryostat.

The non-human primate is an important translational species for our understanding of the normal processing of the brain. The anatomical organization of the primate brain can provide important insights into normal and pathological conditions in humans.

The use of non-human primates provides an excellent translational model for our understanding of developmental and aging processes in humans1-6. In ...

The Gateway to the Brain: Dissecting the Primate Eye

The visual system in humans is considered the gateway to the world and plays a principal role in the plethora of sensory, perceptual and cognitive processes. It is therefore not surprising that quality of vision is tied to quality of life . Despite widespread clinical and basic research surrounding the causes of visual disorders, many forms of visual impairments, such as retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration, lack effective treatments. Non-human primates have the closest general features of eye development to that of humans. Not only do they have a similar vascular anatomy, but amongst other mammals, primates have the unique characteristic of having a region in the temporal retina specialized for high visual acuity, the fovea1. Here we describe a general technique for dissecting the primate retina to provide tissue for retinal histology, immunohistochemistry, laser capture microdissection, as well as light and electron microscopy. With the extended use of the non-human primate as a translational model, our hope is that improved understanding of the retina will provide insights into effective approaches towards attenuating or reversing the negative impact of visual disorders on the quality of life of affected individuals.

The non-human primate is an important translational species for our understanding of development and aging. The anatomical organization of the primate retina may provide important insights into normal and pathological conditions in humans.

The visual system in humans is considered the  gateway  to the world and plays a principal role in the plethora of sensory, perceptual and cognitive ...

Knowing What Counts: Unbiased Stereology in the Non-human Primate Brain

The non-human primate is an important translational species for understanding the normal function and disease processes of the human brain. Unbiased stereology, the method accepted as state-of-the-art for quantification of biological objects in tissue sections2, generates reliable structural data for biological features in the mammalian brain3. The key components of the approach are unbiased (systematic-random) sampling of anatomically defined structures (reference spaces), combined with quantification of cell numbers and size, fiber and capillary lengths, surface areas, regional volumes and spatial distributions of biological objects within the reference space4. Among the advantages of these stereological approaches over previous methods is the avoidance of all known sources of systematic (non-random) error arising from faulty assumptions and non-verifiable models. This study documents a biological application of computerized stereology to estimate the total neuronal population in the frontal cortex of the vervet monkey brain (Chlorocebus aethiops sabeus), with assistance from two commercially available stereology programs, BioQuant Life Sciences and Stereologer (Figure 1). In addition to contrast and comparison of results from both the BioQuant and Stereologer systems, this study provides a detailed protocol for the Stereologer system.

The anatomical organization of the primate brain can provide important insights into normal and pathological conditions in humans. Unbiased stereology is a method for accurately and efficiently estimating the total neuron number (or other cell type) in a given reference space1.

The non-human primate is an important translational species for understanding the normal function and disease processes of the human brain. Unbiased ...

Creating Avian Forebrain Chimeras to Assess Facial Development

The avian embryo has been used as a model system for more than a century and has led to fundamental understanding of vertebrate development. One of the strengths of this model system is that the effect of, and interaction among, tissues can be directly assessed in chimeric embryos. We have previously shown that signals from the forebrain contribute to facial morphogenesis by regulating the shape of the expression domain of Sonic hedgehog (SHH) in the Frontonasal Ectodermal Zone (FEZ). In this article, the method of generating the forebrain chimeras and provide illustrations of the outcomes of these experiments is described.

This article describes a tissue transplantation technique that was designed to test the signaling and patterning properties of basal forebrain&#160;during craniofacial development.

The avian embryo has been used as a model system for more than a century and has led to fundamental understanding of vertebrate development. One of the ...

Developmental Biology

Separation of Mouse Embryonic Facial Ectoderm and Mesenchyme

Orofacial clefts are the most frequent craniofacial defects, which affect 1.5 in 1,000 newborns worldwide1,2. Orofacial clefting is caused by abnormal facial development3. In human and mouse, initial growth and patterning of the face relies on several small buds of tissue, the facial prominences4,5. The face is derived from six main prominences: paired frontal nasal processes (FNP), maxillary prominences (MxP) and mandibular prominences (MdP). These prominences consist of swellings of mesenchyme that are encased in an overlying epithelium. Studies in multiple species have shown that signaling crosstalk between facial ectoderm and mesenchyme is critical for shaping the face6. Yet, mechanistic details concerning the genes involved in these signaling relays are lacking. One way to gain a comprehensive understanding of gene expression, transcription factor binding, and chromatin marks associated with the developing facial ectoderm and mesenchyme is to isolate and characterize the separated tissue compartments.
Here we present a method for separating facial ectoderm and mesenchyme at embryonic day (E) 10.5, a critical developmental stage in mouse facial formation that precedes fusion of the prominences. Our method is adapted from the approach we have previously used for dissecting facial prominences7. In this earlier study we had employed inbred C57BL/6 mice as this strain has become a standard for genetics, genomics and facial morphology8. Here, though, due to the more limited quantities of tissue available, we have utilized the outbred CD-1 strain that is cheaper to purchase, more robust for husbandry, and tending to produce more embryos (12-18) per litter than any inbred mouse strain8. Following embryo isolation, neutral protease Dispase II was used to treat the whole embryo. Then, the facial prominences were dissected out, and the facial ectoderm was separated from the mesenchyme. This method keeps both the facial ectoderm and mesenchyme intact. The samples obtained using this methodology can be used for techniques including protein detection, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, microarray studies, and RNA-seq.

A protocol for separation of embryo facial ectoderm and mesenchyme is described. We use Dispase II to treat whole embryos first, dissect whole facial prominences out, and then separate the facial ectoderm and mesenchyme.

 Orofacial clefts are the most frequent  craniofacial defects, which affect 1.5 in 1,000 newborns worldwide1,2. Orofacial clefting is caused by abnormal ...

Facial Transplants in Xenopus laevis Embryos

Craniofacial birth defects occur in 1 out of every 700 live births, but etiology is rarely known due to limited understanding of craniofacial development. To identify where signaling pathways and tissues act during patterning of the developing face, a 'face transplant' technique has been developed in embryos of the frog Xenopus laevis. A region of presumptive facial tissue (the "Extreme Anterior Domain" (EAD)) is removed from a donor embryo at tailbud stage, and transplanted to a host embryo of the same stage, from which the equivalent region has been removed. This can be used to generate a chimeric face where the host or donor tissue has a loss or gain of function in a gene, and/or includes a lineage label. After healing, the outcome of development is monitored, and indicates roles of the signaling pathway within the donor or surrounding host tissues. Xenopus is a valuable model for face development, as the facial region is large and readily accessible for micromanipulation. Many embryos can be assayed, over a short time period since development occurs rapidly. Findings in the frog are relevant to human development, since craniofacial processes appear conserved between Xenopus and mammals.

Facial Transplants in Xenopus laevis Embryos

A technique for transplanting "Extreme Anterior Domain" facial tissue between Xenopus laevis embryos has been developed. Tissue can be moved from one gene expression background into another, allowing the study of local requirements for craniofacial development and for signaling interactions between facial regions.

Craniofacial birth defects occur in 1 out of every 700 live births, but etiology is rarely known due to limited understanding of craniofacial development. ...

Dissection of Xenopus laevis Neural Crest for in vitro Explant Culture or in vivo Transplantation

The neural crest (NC) is a transient dorsal neural tube cell population that undergoes an epithelium-to-mesenchyme transition (EMT) at the end of neurulation, migrates extensively towards various organs, and differentiates into many types of derivatives (neurons, glia, cartilage and bone, pigmented and endocrine cells). In this protocol, we describe how to dissect the premigratory cranial NC from Xenopus laevis embryos, in order to study NC development in vivo and in vitro. The frog model offers many advantages to study early development; abundant batches are available, embryos develop rapidly, in vivo gain and loss of function strategies allow manipulation of gene expression prior to NC dissection in donor and/or host embryos. The NC explants can be plated on fibronectin and used for in vitro studies. They can be cultured for several days in a serum-free defined medium. We also describe how to graft NC explants back into host embryos for studying NC migration and differentiation in vivo.

Dissection of Xenopus laevis Neural Crest for in vitro Explant Culture or in vivo Transplantation

This protocol describes how to dissect premigratory cranial neural crest (NC) from Xenopus laevis neurulas. These explants can be plated on fibronectin and cultured in vitro, or grafted back into host embryos. This technique allows studying the mechanisms of NC epithelium-to-mesenchyme transition, migration, and differentiation.

The neural crest (NC) is a transient dorsal neural tube cell population that undergoes an epithelium-to-mesenchyme transition (EMT) at the end of ...

Analyzing Craniofacial Morphogenesis in Zebrafish Using 4D Confocal Microscopy

Time-lapse imaging is a technique that allows for the direct observation of the process of morphogenesis, or the generation of shape. Due to their optical clarity and amenability to genetic manipulation, the zebrafish embryo has become a popular model organism with which to perform time-lapse analysis of morphogenesis in living embryos. Confocal imaging of a live zebrafish embryo requires that a tissue of interest is persistently labeled with a fluorescent marker, such as a transgene or injected dye. The process demands that the embryo is anesthetized and held in place in such a way that healthy development proceeds normally. Parameters for imaging must be set to account for three-dimensional growth and to balance the demands of resolving individual cells while getting quick snapshots of development. Our results demonstrate the ability to perform long-term in vivo imaging of fluorescence-labeled zebrafish embryos and to detect varied tissue behaviors in the cranial neural crest that cause craniofacial abnormalities. Developmental delays caused by anesthesia and mounting are minimal, and embryos are unharmed by the process. Time-lapse imaged embryos can be returned to liquid medium and subsequently imaged or fixed at later points in development. With an increasing abundance of transgenic zebrafish lines and well-characterized fate mapping and transplantation techniques, imaging any desired tissue is possible. As such, time-lapse in vivo imaging combines powerfully with zebrafish genetic methods, including analyses of mutant and microinjected embryos.

Time-lapse confocal imaging is a powerful technique useful for characterizing embryonic development. Here, we describe the methodology and characterize craniofacial morphogenesis in wild-type, as well as pdgfra, smad5, and smo mutant embryos.

Time-lapse imaging is a technique that allows for the direct observation of the process of morphogenesis, or the generation of shape. Due to their optical ...

Quantification of Orofacial Phenotypes in Xenopus

Xenopus has become an important tool for dissecting the mechanisms governing craniofacial development and defects. A method to quantify orofacial development will allow for more rigorous analysis of orofacial phenotypes upon abrogation with substances that can genetically or molecularly manipulate gene expression or protein function. Using two dimensional images of the embryonic heads, traditional size dimensions-such as orofacial width, height and area- are measured. In addition, a roundness measure of the embryonic mouth opening is used to describe the shape of the mouth. Geometric morphometrics of these two dimensional images is also performed to provide a more sophisticated view of changes in the shape of the orofacial region. Landmarks are assigned to specific points in the orofacial region and coordinates are created. A principle component analysis is used to reduce landmark coordinates to principle components that then discriminate the treatment groups. These results are displayed as a scatter plot in which individuals with similar orofacial shapes cluster together. It is also useful to perform a discriminant function analysis, which statistically compares the positions of the landmarks between two treatment groups. This analysis is displayed on a transformation grid where changes in landmark position are viewed as vectors. A grid is superimposed on these vectors so that a warping pattern is displayed to show where significant landmark positions have changed. Shape changes in the discriminant function analysis are based on a statistical measure, and therefore can be evaluated by a p-value. This analysis is simple and accessible, requiring only a stereoscope and freeware software, and thus will be a valuable research and teaching resource.

Quantification of Orofacial Phenotypes in Xenopus

A method to quantify the orofacial size and shape of Xenopus laevis embryos has been developed. In this protocol, traditional size measurements are combined with geometric morphometrics to allow for more sophisticated analyses of orofacial development and defects.

Reverse Dissection and DiceCT Reveal Otherwise Hidden Data in the Evolution of the Primate Face

Samenvatting

Meer video's verkennen