Este trabalho foi financiado por doações CIRM # TR-1250, RT1-01108, e CL1-00502.

Nota: Todos os procedimentos com animais devem ser aprovados pelo IACUC ou equivalente. Todo o equipamento cirúrgico deve ser esterilizado antes da cirurgia. Luvas estéreis, cortinas e gaze deve ser usada. 1. Preparação antes da cirurgia <ol><li> Obtenha 6 semanas de idade Mus musculus CbySmn.CB17-Prkdc SCID / J camundongos machos ou estirpe imunocomprometidos outro rato. </li><li> Esterilizar todos os instrumentos cirúrgicos, luvas e gaze. </li><li> Dissociar hPSCs ser injetados com accutase. </li><li> Contar as células e ressuspender 1.000.000 células por 20-30 uL em Matrigel diluído 1:1 em DMEM/F-12. Manter as células no gelo até terminar. </li><li> Note-se que muitas vezes é útil para fazer uma corrida através do experimento, onde Trypan Blue é injectado. Isso vai ajudar a identificar problemas potenciais antes que as células são desperdiçados. </li><li> No biotério, anestesiar o mouse de acordo com procedimentos aceitos de sua instituição. Em nossos experimentos, utilizamos uma AnesthESIA máquina com isoflurano. Os camundongos foram inicialmente colocadas em uma câmara de indução com o oxigênio 1l/min e 3-4% de isoflurano. Uma vez anestesiados, com um cone de nariz 1l/min oxigénio e 2-3% de isoflurano foi usado. </li><li> Raspar o abdómen com tesouras, e limpar a parede anterior do abdómen do rato, a partir do centro do abdómen e de trabalho dos ponteiros do relógio para o exterior. Primeiro uso da solução de iodo-povidona, em seguida, lavar com etanol 70%. Repita 3 vezes, mudando esfregaços de cada vez. Transferir o animal a uma almofada de aquecimento para manter o animal quente no interior de uma cultura de tecidos ou capuz de dissecação. </li><li> Fazer uma incisão 1 centímetro longitudinal através da pele e do peritoneu com tesouras cirúrgicas estéreis imediatamente abaixo do nível da articulação da anca. </li><li> Enquanto mantém o peritônio com uma pinça, descem em direção ao quadril direito com outro forcept estéril e puxe o tecido adiposo branco, juntamente com testículos conectados. </li><li> Coloque os testículos em gaze estéril. </li><li> Encha uma tuberculina ou Hamilton (1cc) seringa wiº os hPSCs a ser injetado. Note que é uma boa idéia de incluir um controle de linha hPSC que você sabe que é pluripotente, como WA09 (também conhecido como H9). Desta forma, você tem um controle positivo que você pode usar para determinar se a injecção ou a cirurgia foi falha. </li><li> Lentamente injectar as hPSCs (20-30 uL) para o centro da cápsula testículo longe de qualquer vasos sanguíneos principais, parando se a cápsula testicular começa a inchar. </li><li> Remover a agulha lentamente para evitar o refluxo das células. </li><li> Usando uma pinça, transferir os testículos e costas tecido adiposo à sua posição original no abdómen. </li><li> Fechar o peritônio com 2 ou 3 suturas reabsorvíveis e feche a pele com autoclips. </li><li> O mouse deve ser mantido quente até ele se recupera e dado algum tipo de analgésico (ver o que é aceito em seu viveiro) após a cirurgia duas vezes ao dia por 1-2 dias. Note-se que nem o anestésico nem o analgésico com interferir com o desenvolvimento do tumor. </li><li> Monitorar ªanimais e para o crescimento do tumor por 6-12 semanas. Muito raramente, os tumores podem crescer a 5 mm de tamanho antes de 6 semanas após a injecção, assim, é importante para monitorar os animais. Se isso acontecer, os animais devem ser sacrificados e os tumores tratados e analisados ​​como de costume. </li><li> Uma vez que o tumor é palpável e atinge aproximadamente 5 mm de tamanho, anestesiar o rato e sacrificá-lo de acordo com procedimentos aceitos protocolos animais. </li><li> Remover tumor e documento nesse sentido - tamanho medida, fotografia, pesar. </li><li> Corte tumor em pedaços pequenos e fixar em solução de paraformaldeído 4%. Armazenar em paraformaldeído a 4% até amostras são enviadas para um patologista para seccionamento de coloração, e análise. </li></ol> 2. Resultados representativos: Quando este protocolo é feita como descrito ea linha de células injectadas é pluripotentes, uma palpável, visualmente óbvia do tumor, deverá formar dentro de 12 semanas, no máximo. Para estabelecidas linhas hPSC como WA09, que se costuma vertumores em 6 semanas. Para as linhas de IPSC, não é incomum para ver tumores dentro de 8-10 semanas. É muito importante para injectar ratinhos com uma linha que é conhecido por ser pluripotentes, como um controlo positivo, a fim de ter a certeza de que o procedimento foi realizado correctamente. Tumores costumam olhar muito heterogênea e têm muitos cistos em anexo (Figura 1). Análise das amostras de tumor por um patologista deveria mostrar tecidos diferenciados a partir de todas as três camadas germinais (Figura 2). <img alt="A Figura 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/3177/3177fig1.jpg" /> Figura 1. Teratoma hPSC típica derivado na cápsula testículo. Seguindo o protocolo descrito, um milhão de WA09 células foram injectadas na cápsula testículos de um rato imune comprometida. Seis semanas mais tarde um teratoma foi observada. A) Teratoma puxado do rato. B) Feche acima do retrato do teratoma. Observe as estruturas de heterogeneidade e cisto. <img alt="A Figura 2" src = &quot;files/ftp_upload/3177/3177fig2.jpg /&quot; /&gt; Figura 2. Hematoxilina e Eosina seções do teratoma mostram tecidos de cada camada germinativa. Após a fixação, o teratoma foi seccionado e corado com hematoxilina e eosina. Análise por um patologista revelou a presença de células de cada uma das 3 camadas germinais.

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

Não há conflitos de interesse declarados.

O método aqui apresentado fornece um altamente confiáveis, simples meios de geração de teratomas de hPSCs na cápsula testicular. Existem vários parâmetros críticos nesta técnica. Em particular, é importante para injectar linhas celulares hPSC que são conhecidos por serem pluripotentes como controlo. Outros parâmetros importantes incluem o intervalo de tempo entre a injecção ea observação do tumor. Para linhas de células como WA09, teratomas deve ser observado em 6-8 semanas. Para novas linhas de IPSC, descobrimos que muitas vezes são necessárias 10 semanas. Outra preocupação é o número de células injectadas. Nós injetar um milhão de células, mas o teste pode ser feito facilmente com poucas células. Além disso, o meio de injecção é importante. Nós descobrimos que os melhores resultados quando as células são injectadas numa mistura 1:1 de matrigel e DMEM/F-12, em oposição a PBS ou DMEM/F-12.

<table border="1"><tbody><tr><td> Nome do reagente </td><td> Companhia </td><td> Número de catálogo </td></tr><tr><td> Accutase </td><td> Invitrogen </td><td> A1110501 </td></tr><tr><td> DMEM/F-12 </td><td> Invitrogen </td><td> 113300-032 </td></tr><tr><td> Matrigel </td><td> BD Biosciences </td><td> 354277 </td></tr></tbody></table>

teratoma generation in the testis capsule

As células estaminais pluripotentes (PSC) têm a característica única que eles podem diferenciar em células de todas as três camadas germinais. Isto torna-os de uma ferramenta potencialmente útil para o tratamento de muitas doenças diferentes. Com o advento das células pluripotentes induzidas estaminais (iPSCs) e pesquisa de continuar com células estaminais embrionárias (hESCs), há uma necessidade de ensaios que possam demonstrar que uma linha de células particular é pluripotentes. Transmissão germinativa tem sido o padrão ouro para demonstrar a pluripotência das células-tronco embrionárias do rato (MESC) linhas 1,2,3. Utilizando este ensaio, os investigadores podem mostrar que uma linha de MESC pode fazer todos os tipos de células no embrião incluindo células germinativas 4. Com a geração de linhas humano ESC 5,6, o ensaio apropriado para provar pluripotência destas células era clara, uma vez CES humanos não podem ser testados para a transmissão da linha germinativa. Como um substituto, o ensaio de teratoma é actualmente utilizado para demonstrar a pluripotrência de células-tronco pluripotentes humanas (hPSCs) 7,8,9. Embora este ensaio tem vindo recentemente sob escrutínio e novas tecnologias estão sendo ativamente explorados, o ensaio de teratoma é o padrão ouro atual 7. Neste ensaio, as células em questão são injectados um rato imune comprometida. Se as células são pluripotentes, um teratoma desenvolverá eventualmente e secções do tumor irá mostrar tecidos a partir de todas as 3 camadas germinais 10. No ensaio de teratoma, hPSCs pode ser injetado em diferentes áreas do mouse. Os locais de injecção mais comuns incluem a cápsula testículo, a cápsula do rim, o fígado, ou para a perna por via subcutânea ou por via intramuscular 11. Descrevemos aqui um protocolo robusto para a geração de teratomas de hPSCs utilizando a cápsula testículo como o local para o crescimento do tumor.

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

Teratoma Generation in the Testis Capsule

As células pluripotentes humanas estaminais (hPSCs) têm o potencial para tratar uma miríade de diferentes doenças. A utilidade destas células reside no facto de que eles podem diferenciar-se em qualquer tipo de célula no corpo. Descrevemos aqui o ensaio teratoma, que é usado para demonstrar a pluripotência das hPSCs.

Geração Teratoma na Cápsula do Testículo

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

teratoma-generation-in-the-testis-capsule

Nanyang Technological University

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

20.7K visualizações.  Scripps Research Institute. As células pluripotentes humanas estaminais (hPSCs) têm o potencial para tratar uma miríade de diferentes doenças. A utilidade destas células reside no facto de que eles podem diferenciar-se em qualquer tipo de célula no corpo. Descrevemos aqui o ensaio teratoma, que é usado para demonstrar a pluripotência das hPSCs.

Vídeo: Teratoma Generation in the Testis Capsule

Making Sense of Listening: The IMAP Test Battery

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

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

Making Sense of Listening: A bateria de testes IMAP

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

Medicina

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

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

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

A estratégia para identificar mutações de novo em Distúrbios comuns, tais como autismo e esquizofrenia

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

Technical Aspects of the Mouse Aortocaval Fistula

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

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

Aspectos técnicos da artocava Fístula Rato

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

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

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

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

Renal Capsule xeno e subcutânea Pellet Implantação de Avaliação de próstata Carcinogênese e hiperplasia benigna da próstata

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

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

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

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

Geração e quantificação 3-Dimensional de Arterial lesões em ratos por meio de tomografia óptica de Projeção

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

Collection and Extraction of Saliva DNA for Next Generation Sequencing

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

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

Coleta e Extração de DNA de saliva para Next Generation Sequencing

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

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

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

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

Drogas Repurposing Hipótese Geração Usando o &quot;RE: Drogas finos&quot; System

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

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 Tesla

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

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

Ressonância magnética cardíaca na Tesla 7

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

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

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

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

A geração de fraturas fechadas de fêmur em ratos: um modelo para estudar a consolidação óssea

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

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

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

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

Geração de organóides testicular porcina com a arquitetura específica do testis usando a cultura de micropoços

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