I protocolli seguenti sono accettati sotto l'Università del Maryland istituzionale Animal Care e Comitato di uso, nonché l'Institutional Review Board. I protocolli di seguono le norme federali, statali e locali, e gli orientamenti stabiliti dalla politica dell'Università del Maryland sulla biosicurezza.
1. dissezione del campione di occhio
<ol><li>
Ottenere un campione di occhio dalla banca locale del macello o del tessuto. Se si ottiene un globo intero occhio, estrarre immediatamente la lente, annesso zonules e vitroso. Nota: I dettagli specifici descritti di seguito si riferiscono agli occhi sia suini e umani.<ol>
<li>Utilizzando le pinze e le forbici chirurgiche disinfettate, tagliare e rimuovere tutto il tessuto in eccesso che circondano la sclera.</li>
		<li>Tenere saldamente l'occhio sul suo lato e, utilizzando una lametta, praticare una piccola incisione lungo il lato dell'occhio 3 mm dalla cornea. Fare il taglio profondo abbastanza per aver raggiunto il vitreo all'interno dell'occhio.</li>
		<li>Utilizzando le forbici, tagliare con cura ulteriormente lungo l'incisione attorno alla circonferenza dell'occhio. Evitare di perforare la lente. Un'immagine rappresentativa è illustrata nella Figura 2A.</li>
		<li>Una volta che la circonferenza esterna dell'occhio è stata tagliata, rimuovere il tessuto posteriore dell'occhio usando il forcipe. Isolare la lente, zonules, corpo ciliare e il vitroso allegato con il forcipe. Un'immagine rappresentativa è illustrata nella Figura 2B.</li>
		<li>Usando le forbici e pinze, rimuovere vitroso in eccesso in modo che la lente può porre piatto sul MLS. Nota: In caso di trapianto di cornea, il tasto corneale viene utilizzato in chirurgia e il resto del globo è disponibile per scopi di ricerca. Tuttavia, questo globo parziale ancora utilizzabile nella preparazione dei tessuti dell'apparato di barella lente. Se solo la parte posteriore è ottenuto, eseguire solo il passaggio 1.1.4–1.1.5.</li>
	</ol>
</li>
	<li>Disinfettare tutte le post-dissezione attrezzature usate in soluzione di candeggina al 15% per 30 min.</li>
</ol>2. prova di montaggio della barella lente manuale
<ol><li>Inserire i fondi di scarpa di 10 mm e il corrispondente scarpa top nella piastra inferiore della MLS così ci rimane un gap di 5 mm tra la parete posteriore del trattino scarpa e scarpa stessa.</li>
	<li>Allineare le piastre superiore e inferiore, scattare le piastre insieme; il dispositivo è ora in posizione di distenderla.</li>
	<li>Inserire le piastre nel caso la piastra e la vite di arresto nel foro situato sul lato della piastra di fondo.</li>
	<li>Inserire il caso di piastra base e inserire la chiave i trattini allineati.</li>
	<li>Ruotare la chiave in senso orario fino a raggiungere la vite di arresto per contratto le scarpe e torsione indietro in senso antiorario per restituire le scarpe nella posizione originale non stirata.</li>
</ol>3. montaggio della lente
<ol><li>Inserire il fondo scarpa 10 mm la piastra inferiore nella MLS affinché una 5 mm distanza tra rimane la parete posteriore del trattino la scarpa e la scarpa stessa.</li>
	<li>Usando il forcipe curvo, posizionare estratti lente a faccia in su al centro della piastra inferiore in modo che le scarpe stanno sostenendo la lente sopra il foro centrale.</li>
	<li>Incastrarsi parte superiore corrispondente delle scarpe, ritaglio solo gli zonules e vitroso. Verificare visivamente che la lente rimane come centrato possibile sulla piastra inferiore.</li>
	<li>Ripetere i passaggi da 2.3 – 2.4.</li>
</ol>4. misurazione della lente
<ol><li>Posizionare un sistema di imaging direttamente sopra l'apparato al fine di catturare video e immagini del processo d'allungamento. Assicurarsi di includere un righello nella cornice dell'immagine con precisione dimensioni e adattare le immagini in post-elaborazione. Nota: Qualsiasi sistema di imaging adatto è sufficiente per questo passaggio; Qui usiamo un 12 megapixel, messa a fuoco automatica smartphone un piede dal campione.</li>
	<li>Con fermezza ma senza intoppi, ruotare la chiave in senso orario per allungare la lente. La figura 3 Mostra immagini rappresentative allo stato distenderla e allungato.</li>
	<li>Dopo aver fotografato la lente allungata, ruotare la chiave in senso antiorario per ripristinare il campione al suo stato di riposo. Nota: È indispensabile che la misura della lente viene eseguita in modo tempestivo al fine di ridurre al minimo la disidratazione della lente.</li>
	<li>Chiaramente fotografare lo stato di riposo finale della lente.</li>
</ol>5. analisi dei dati
<ol><li>Caricare l'immagine di ImageJ e, utilizzare la funzionalità di "punto" per selezionare almeno 40 punti sulla circonferenza della lente come mostrato in Figura 4A. Utilizzare l'opzione di "Misurare" → "Analizza" per ottenere la posizione di ogni punto selezionato.</li>
	<li>Va bene (utilizzando software ad esempio MATLAB) i punti di posizione al fine di produrre un raggio e chi-quadrato del fit come mostrato in Figura 4B. Convertire il raggio dei pixel e l'errore in metriche utilizzando il righello fotografato.</li>
	<li>Eseguire due munito test t accoppiato al confronto una singola lente prima e dopo lo stretching da MLS.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Von Helmholtz, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Uber+die+akkommodation+des+auges.">Uber die akkommodation des auges.</a> Arch Ophthal. 1, 1-74 (1855).</li><li>Schachar, R. A., Black, T. D., Kash, R. L., Cudmore, D. P., Schanzlin, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+mechanism+of+accommodation+and+presbyopia+in+the+primate.">The mechanism of accommodation and presbyopia in the primate.</a> Ann Ophthalmol. 27, 58-67 (1995).</li><li>Glasser, A., Campbell, C. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Presbyopia+and+the+optical+changes+in+the+human+crystalline+lens+with+age.">Presbyopia and the optical changes in the human crystalline lens with age.</a> Vision Res. 38 (2), 209-229 (1998).</li><li>Reilly, M. A., Hamilton, P. D., Perry, G., Ravi, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+the+behavior+and+natural+and+refilled+porcine+lenses+in+a+robotic+lens+stretcher.">Comparison of the behavior and natural and refilled porcine lenses in a robotic lens stretcher.</a> Exp Eye Res. 88, 483-494 (2009).</li><li>Langenbucher, A., Huber, S., Nguyen, N. X., Seitz, B., Gusek-Schneider, G. C., K&#252;chle, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measurement+of+accommodation+after+implantation+of+an+accommodating+posterior+chamber+intraocular+lens.">Measurement of accommodation after implantation of an accommodating posterior chamber intraocular lens.</a> J Cataract Refract Surg. 29 (4), 677-685 (2003).</li><li>Ehrmann, K., Ho, A., Parel, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biomechanical+analysis+of+the+accommodative+apparatus+in+primates.">Biomechanical analysis of the accommodative apparatus in primates.</a> Clin Exp Optom. 91 (4), 411 (2008).</li><li>Pinilla Cort&#233;s, L., 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=Experimental+Protocols+for+Ex+Vivo+Lens+Stretching+Tests+to+Investigate+the+Biomechanics+of+the+Human+Accommodation+Apparatus.">Experimental Protocols for Ex Vivo Lens Stretching Tests to Investigate the Biomechanics of the Human Accommodation Apparatus.</a> Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 56 (5), 2926 (2015).</li><li>Fisher, R. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+elastic+constants+of+the+human+lens.">The elastic constants of the human lens.</a> J Physiol. 212 (1), 147-180 (1971).</li><li>Eppig, T., 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=Biomechanical+eye+model+and+measurement+setup+for+investigating+accommodating+intraocular+lenses.">Biomechanical eye model and measurement setup for investigating accommodating intraocular lenses.</a> Z Med Ohys. 23 (2), 144-152 (2013).</li><li>Manns, F., Parel, , 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=Response+of+Human+and+Monkey+Lenses+in+a+Lens+Stretcher.">Response of Human and Monkey Lenses in a Lens Stretcher.</a> Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 48 (7), 3260 (2007).</li><li>Scarcelli, G., Kim, P., Yun, S. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+measurement+of+age-related+stiffening+in+the+crystalline+lens+by+Brillouin+optical+microscopy.">In vivo measurement of age-related stiffening in the crystalline lens by Brillouin optical microscopy.</a> Biophys J. 101 (6), 1539-1545 (2011).</li><li>Besner, S., Scarcelli, G., Pineda, R., Yun, S. -. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+Vivo+Brillouin+Analysis+of+the+Aging+Crystalline+Lens.">In Vivo Brillouin Analysis of the Aging Crystalline Lens.</a> Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 57 (13), 5093 (2016).</li><li>Cortes, L., 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=Experimental+Protocols+for+Ex+Vivo+Lens+Stretching+Tests+to+Investigate+the+Biomechanics+of+the+Human+Accommodation+Apparatus.">Experimental Protocols for Ex Vivo Lens Stretching Tests to Investigate the Biomechanics of the Human Accommodation Apparatus.</a> Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 56 (5), 2926-2932 (2015).</li><li>Bernal, A., Parel, J. -. M., Manns, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evidence+for+Posterior+Zonular+Fiber+Attachment+on+the+Anterior+Hyaloid+Membrane.">Evidence for Posterior Zonular Fiber Attachment on the Anterior Hyaloid Membrane.</a> Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 47 (11), 4708 (2006).</li><li>Kammel, R., Ackermann, R., Mai, T., Damm, C., Nolte, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pig+Lenses+in+a+Lens+Stretcher.">Pig Lenses in a Lens Stretcher.</a> Optom Vis Sci. 89 (6), 908-915 (2012).</li><li>Hahn, J., 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=Measurement+of+Ex+Vivo+Porcine+Lens+Shape+During+Simulated+Accommodation,+Before+and+After+fs-Laser+Treatment.">Measurement of Ex Vivo Porcine Lens Shape During Simulated Accommodation, Before and After fs-Laser Treatment.</a> Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 56 (9), 5332-5343 (2015).</li><li>D'Antin, J. C., Cortes, L. P., Montenegro, G. A., Barraquer, R. I., Michael, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+a+portable+manual+stretching+device+to+simulate+accommodation.">Evaluation of a portable manual stretching device to simulate accommodation.</a> Acta Ophthalmol. 93 (255), (2015).</li><li>Pierscionek, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Age-related+response+of+human+lenses+to+stretching+forces.">Age-related response of human lenses to stretching forces.</a> Exp Eye Res. 60 (3), 325-332 (1995).</li><li>Marussich, L., 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=Measurement+of+Crystalline+Lens+Volume+During+Accommodation+in+a+Lens+Stretcher.">Measurement of Crystalline Lens Volume During Accommodation in a Lens Stretcher.</a> Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 56 (8), 4239 (2015).</li><li>Martinez-Enriquez, E., P&#233;rez-Merino, P., Velasco-Ocana, M., Marcos, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=OCT-based+full+crystalline+lens+shape+change+during+accommodation+in+vivo.">OCT-based full crystalline lens shape change during accommodation in vivo.</a> Biomed Opt Exp. 8 (2), 918-933 (2017).</li></ol>

AB ha interesse di proprietà in Bioniko Consulting LLC.

Abbiamo messo a punto un nuovo metodo per fornire un accurato ed efficiente modo di studiare la capacità di alloggio dell'obiettivo utilizzando un meccanismo di bloccaggio dual-pezzo di accoppiare la barella al campione. Durante il soggiorno, si distende la lente e il diametro diminuisce in risposta a rilassamento del fibre zonular1,2,4,19. Il metodo si concentra su questo fenomeno di bloccagg...

Alloggio è il processo mediante il quale l'occhio umano è in grado di regolare dinamicamente la forma del suo cristallino per vedere gli oggetti a distanze lontane o vicine a fuoco. Alloggio è un processo intrinsecamente biomeccanico. Su stimolo neurale, muscoli ciliari producono una forza sul corpo ciliare e per le fibre di zonule che applicare alla circonferenza della capsula di obiettivo1,2. Mentre ci sono diverse teorie dietro la biomeccanica di alloggi, il più ampiamente accettata è l'ipotesi di Helmholtz. Secondo l'ipotesi, la lente è in uno stato naturale allungato, corrispondente alla forma più sottile della lente che è ottimale per la messa a fuoco di oggetti distanti. Per cambiare messa a fuoco oggetti vicini, i muscoli ciliari si contraggono e si distendono le fibre zonulare. A sua volta, l'obiettivo si addensa, aumentando le curvature di superficie anteriore e posteriore. Questo corrisponde ad un aumento nel potere diottrico che è necessario per la visione, di conseguenza, una più breve lunghezza focale1da vicino.
La capacità di ospitare è compromessa nel tempo tramite una condizione denominata presbiopia. Interessa tutti entro i 50 anni, la presbiopia rende l'occhio in grado di modificare dinamicamente la messa a fuoco da lontano per chiudere distanze3. Per combattere la presbiopia, gli attuali metodi sono passivi tra cui lenti bifocali e lenti correttive. Aumentando la capacità di concentrarsi su oggetti vicini a alcuni aerei, tali trattamenti passivi non possono ripristinare la capacità di fuoco dinamico della lente4,5. Al fine di trattare in modo efficiente la presbiopia, o possibilmente prevenirlo, c'è un bisogno costante di comprendere meglio alloggi.
Per studiare lens alloggio, un numero di dispositivi è stato sviluppato per simulare il fenomeno ex vivo4,6,7,8,9. Dischi di filatura sono stati introdotti per monitorare l'allungamento della lente via forze centrifughe8. Per replicare più fedelmente il fenomeno, dispositivi di stretching lente sono stati gradualmente introdotti e innovati. Utilizzando una lente barella, Manns et al. caratterizzato la forza necessaria per accogliere la lente mentre correlando tale obiettivo potenza e diametro equatoriale9. Comprensione corrente è che la lente si irrigidisce con l'età, con conseguente cambiamento ridotto a forma di lente in risposta ad una forza uguale dal corpo ciliare3,10,11,12.
Corrente lente barelle spesso comportano un'installazione complessa, attuazione elettronica e programmabili tassi d'allungamento e richiede il cadavere intero bulbo oculare6,7,10,13. Questo requisito aumenta il costo per esperimento a oltre $500.00 per l'occhio e diminuisce la disponibilità del campione. Qui presentiamo un metodo per replicare lens alloggio a basso costo come l'occhio posteriore ammonta a circa $200,00. Mentre meno sofisticato rispetto a molti dispositivi utilizzati oggi, la tecnica è molto più redditizio e adottabile senza compromettere i risultati. Questo metodo è centrato intorno una barella di lente manuale (MLS), raffigurata in Figura 1e utilizza un esclusivo sistema di bloccaggio sulle fibre zonulare e un metodo di torsione radiale per espandere il diametro della lente. La precisione fisiologica del protocollo viene convalidata dai risultati di Bernal et al., che ha studiato il percorso attraverso il quale le fibre zonulare anteriori e posteriori sono collegate al capsula lente14. Utilizzando il design di scarpe personalizzate che richiedono solo la lente, zonule e corpo ciliare, abbiamo mirato a studiare lente biomeccanica replicando alloggi fisiologico.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:856px;" width="856">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:191px;">Manual Lens Stretcher</td>
			<td style="width:233px;">Bioniko</td>
			<td style="width:132px;">MLS</td>
			<td style="width:300px;">Different animal species will require different shoe sizes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Porcine Eye Samples</td>
			<td>George G. Ruppersberger; slaughterhouse</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Whole eyeballs were obtained</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Human Eye Samples</td>
			<td>The National Disease Research Interchange</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Posterior poles without corneas were ordered</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Dissecting Scissors (5 1/2&#39;&#39; Straight)</td>
			<td>Electron Microsopy Sciences</td>
			<td>72960</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Tissue Forceps (4 1/2&#39;&#39;)</td>
			<td>Electron Microsopy Sciences</td>
			<td>72960</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">iPhone 6s</td>
			<td>Apple</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Any imaging system with ~0.1 mm resolution will work</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Sodium Hypochorite</td>
			<td>Clorox</td>
			<td>Clorox Regular-Bleach</td>
			<td>Any disinfectant will work</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

simulating the mechanics of lens accommodation via a manual lens stretcher

L'obiettivo del presente protocollo è quello di imitare la biomeccanica del fisiologico alloggio in maniera efficiente, pratico. Alloggio avviene attraverso la contrazione del corpo ciliare e rilassamento delle fibre zonule, che provoca l'ispessimento della lente necessaria per la visione da vicino. Qui, presentiamo un romanzo, un semplice metodo in cui alloggio è replicato da tensing zonules collegato alla capsula del cristallino tramite una barella di lente manuale (MLS). Questo metodo controlla l'allungamento radiale raggiunto da una lente quando sottoposti a una forza coerenza e consente un confronto di accogliere lenti, che possono essere allungati, a lenti non accomodante, che non possono essere allungati. D'importanza, le coppie di barella il zonules direttamente e non la sclera dell'occhio, così richiedendo solo la lente, zonules e corpo ciliare anziché il campione di tutto il globo. Questa differenza può ridurre notevolmente il costo di acquisto di lenti di donatore cadavere di circa 62% rispetto all'acquisizione di un intero globo.

Porcini occhi, un campione comune per lo studio della presbiopia tramite lente stretching4,15, sono stati ottenuti, (n = 10) da un mattatoio e il presente protocollo è stato utilizzato per osservare la capacità di alloggio delle lenti. Figura 5 A Mostra il confronto della lente porcino prima e dopo l'allungamento tramite MLS. C'era un aumento media 0,19 ± 0,07 mm raggio di lente qu...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Simulating the Mechanics of Lens Accommodation via a Manual Lens Stretcher at JoVE.com

Simulating the Mechanics of Lens Accommodation via a Manual Lens Stretcher

Simulando la meccanica del Lens Alloggio tramite una barella lente manuale

Presentiamo un metodo efficiente per studiare lens alloggio utilizzando una barella lente manuale. Il protocollo imita fisiologico alloggi tirando il zonules collegato intorno alla capsula di obiettivo, quindi, che allunga la lente.

The goal of this protocol is to mimic the biomechanics of physiological accommodation in a cost-efficient, practical manner. Accommodation is achieved ...

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Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

6.7K Views.  University of Maryland. Presentiamo un metodo efficiente per studiare lens alloggio utilizzando una barella lente manuale. Il protocollo imita fisiologico alloggi tirando il zonules collegato intorno alla capsula di obiettivo, quindi, che allunga la lente.

Video: Simulating the Mechanics of Lens Accommodation via a Manual Lens Stretcher

Impulsive Pressurization of Neuronal Cells for Traumatic Brain Injury Study

A novel impulsive cell pressurization experiment has been developed using a Kolsky bar device to investigate blast-induced traumatic brain injury (TBI). We demonstrate in this video article how blast TBI-relevant impulsive pressurization is applied to the neuronal cells in vitro. This is achieved by using well-controlled pressure pulse created by a specialized Kolsky bar device, with complete pressure history within the cell pressurization chamber recorded. Pressurized neuronal cells are inspected immediately after pressurization, or further incubated to examine the long-term effects of impulsive pressurization on neurite/axonal outgrowth, neuronal gene expression, apoptosis, etc. We observed that impulsive pressurization at about 2 MPa induces distinct neurite loss relative to unpressurized cells. Our technique provides a novel method to investigate the molecular/cellular mechanisms of blast TBI, via impulsive pressurization of brain cells at well-controlled pressure magnitude and duration.

A novel impulsive cell pressurization experiment has been developed using a Kolsky bar device to investigate the molecular/cellular mechanisms of blast-induced traumatic brain injury.

Pressurizzazione impulsivo delle cellule neuronali per lo studio traumatica lesione cerebrale

A novel impulsive cell pressurization experiment has been developed using a Kolsky bar device to investigate blast-induced traumatic brain injury (TBI). ...

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Bioingegneria

Magnetic Resonance Elastography Methodology for the Evaluation of Tissue Engineered Construct Growth

Traditional mechanical testing often results in the destruction of the sample, and in the case of long term tissue engineered construct studies, the use of destructive assessment is not acceptable. A proposed alternative is the use of an imaging process called magnetic resonance elastography. Elastography is a nondestructive method for determining the engineered outcome by measuring local mechanical property values (i.e., complex shear modulus), which are essential markers for identifying the structure and functionality of a tissue. As a noninvasive means for evaluation, the monitoring of engineered constructs with imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has seen increasing interest in the past decade1. For example, the magnetic resonance (MR) techniques of diffusion and relaxometry have been able to characterize the changes in chemical and physical properties during engineered tissue development2. The method proposed in the following protocol uses microscopic magnetic resonance elastography (&mu;MRE) as a noninvasive MR based technique for measuring the mechanical properties of small soft tissues3. MRE is achieved by coupling a sonic mechanical actuator with the tissue of interest and recording the shear wave propagation with an MR scanner4. Recently, &mu;MRE has been applied in tissue engineering to acquire essential growth information that is traditionally measured using destructive mechanical macroscopic techniques5. In the following procedure, elastography is achieved through the imaging of engineered constructs with a modified Hahn spin-echo sequence coupled with a mechanical actuator. As shown in Figure 1, the modified sequence synchronizes image acquisition with the transmission of external shear waves; subsequently, the motion is sensitized through the use of oscillating bipolar pairs. Following collection of images with positive and negative motion sensitization, complex division of the data produce a shear wave image. Then, the image is assessed using an inversion algorithm to generate a shear stiffness map6. The resulting measurements at each voxel have been shown to strongly correlate (R2&gt;0.9914) with data collected using dynamic mechanical analysis7. In this study, elastography is integrated into the tissue development process for monitoring human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) differentiation into adipogenic and osteogenic constructs as shown in Figure 2.

The procedure demonstrates the methodology of magnetic resonance elastography for monitoring the engineered outcome of adipose and osteogenic tissue engineered constructs through noninvasive local assessment of the mechanical properties using microscopic magnetic resonance elastography (&mu;MRE).

Metodologia Elastografia risonanza magnetica per la valutazione dei Tissue Engineered Construct crescita

Traditional mechanical testing often results in the destruction of the sample, and in the case of long term tissue engineered construct studies, the use ...

Monitoring the Wall Mechanics During Stent Deployment in a Vessel

Clinical trials have reported different restenosis rates for various stent designs1. It is speculated that stent-induced strain concentrations on the arterial wall lead to tissue injury, which initiates restenosis2-7. This hypothesis needs further investigations including better quantifications of non-uniform strain distribution on the artery following stent implantation. A non-contact surface strain measurement method for the stented artery is presented in this work. ARAMIS stereo optical surface strain measurement system uses two optical high speed cameras to capture the motion of each reference point, and resolve three dimensional strains over the deforming surface8,9. As a mesh stent is deployed into a latex vessel with a random contrasting pattern sprayed or drawn on its outer surface, the surface strain is recorded at every instant of the deformation. The calculated strain distributions can then be used to understand the local lesion response, validate the computational models, and formulate hypotheses for further in vivo study.

Stent-induced arterial strain distributions are characterized using an optical surface strain measurement system. This visualization technique is used to gain insights into the impact of stent implantation on the host vessel.

Monitoraggio dei Mechanics parete durante la distribuzione stent in un recipiente

Clinical trials have reported different restenosis rates for various stent designs1. It is speculated that stent-induced strain concentrations on the ...

Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis

To facilitate the use of lignocellulosic biomass as an alternative bioenergy resource, during biological conversion processes, a pretreatment step is needed to open up the structure of the plant cell wall, increasing the accessibility of the cell wall carbohydrates. Lignin, a polyphenolic material present in many cell wall types, is known to be a significant hindrance to enzyme access. Reduction in lignin content to a level that does not interfere with the structural integrity and defense system of the plant might be a valuable step to reduce the costs of bioethanol production. In this study, we have genetically down-regulated one of the lignin biosynthesis-related genes, cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (ZmCCR1) via a double stranded RNA interference technique. The ZmCCR1_RNAi construct was integrated into the maize genome using the particle bombardment method. Transgenic maize plants grew normally as compared to the wild-type control plants without interfering with biomass growth or defense mechanisms, with the exception of displaying of brown-coloration in transgenic plants leaf mid-ribs, husks, and stems. The microscopic analyses, in conjunction with the histological assay, revealed that the leaf sclerenchyma fibers were thinned but the structure and size of other major vascular system components was not altered. The lignin content in the transgenic maize was reduced by 7-8.7%, the crystalline cellulose content was increased in response to lignin reduction, and hemicelluloses remained unchanged. The analyses may indicate that carbon flow might have been shifted from lignin biosynthesis to cellulose biosynthesis. This article delineates the procedures used to down-regulate the lignin content in maize via RNAi technology, and the cell wall compositional analyses used to verify the effect of the modifications on the cell wall structure.

Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis

A double stranded RNA interference (dsRNAi) technique is employed to down-regulate the maize cinnamoyl coenzyme A reductase (ZmCCR1) gene to lower plant lignin content. Lignin down-regulation from the cell wall is visualized by microscopic analyses and quantified by the Klason method. Compositional changes in hemicellulose and crystalline cellulose are analyzed.

La lignina down-regulation dei<em&gt; Zea mays</em&gt; Via dsRNAi e Klason lignina analisi

To facilitate the use of lignocellulosic biomass as an alternative bioenergy resource, during biological conversion processes, a pretreatment step is ...

Determination of Zeta Potential via Nanoparticle Translocation Velocities through a Tunable Nanopore: Using DNA-modified Particles as an Example

Nanopore technologies, known collectively as Resistive Pulse Sensors (RPS), are being used to detect, quantify and characterize proteins, molecules and nanoparticles. Tunable resistive pulse sensing (TRPS) is a relatively recent adaptation to RPS that incorporates a tunable pore that can be altered in real time. Here, we use TRPS to monitor the translocation times of DNA-modified nanoparticles as they traverse the tunable pore membrane as a function of DNA concentration and structure (i.e., single-stranded to double-stranded DNA).
TRPS is based on two Ag/AgCl electrodes, separated by an elastomeric pore membrane that establishes a stable ionic current upon an applied electric field. Unlike various optical-based particle characterization technologies, TRPS can characterize individual particles amongst a sample population, allowing for multimodal samples to be analyzed with ease. Here, we demonstrate zeta potential measurements via particle translocation velocities of known standards and apply these to sample analyte translocation times, thus resulting in measuring the zeta potential of those analytes.
As well as acquiring mean zeta potential values, the samples are all measured using a particle-by-particle perspective exhibiting more information on a given sample through sample population distributions, for example. Of such, this method demonstrates potential within sensing applications for both medical and environmental fields.

Here we use a polyurethane tunable nanopore integrated into a resistive pulse sensing technique to characterize nanoparticles surface chemistry via the measurement of particle translocation velocities, which can be used to determine the zeta potential of individual nanoparticles.

Determinazione della Zeta Potenziale tramite nanoparticelle Traslocazione Le velocità attraverso una Tunable Nanopore: usando le particelle di DNA modificato come esempio

Nanopore technologies, known collectively as Resistive Pulse Sensors (RPS), are being used to detect, quantify and characterize proteins, molecules and ...

Patterning the Geometry of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Colonies on Compliant Substrates to Control Tissue-Level Mechanics

Human embryonic stem cells demonstrate a unique ability to respond to morphogens in vitro by self-organizing patterns of cell fate specification that correspond to primary germ layer formation during embryogenesis. Thus, these cells represent a powerful tool with which to examine the mechanisms that drive early human development. We have developed a method to culture human embryonic stem cells in confined colonies on compliant substrates that provides control over both the geometry of the colonies and their mechanical environment in order to recapitulate the physical parameters that underlie embryogenesis. The key feature of this method is the ability to generate polyacrylamide hydrogels with defined patterns of extracellular matrix ligand at the surface to promote cell attachment. This is achieved by fabricating stencils with the desired geometric patterns, using these stencils to create patterns of extracellular matrix ligand on glass coverslips, and transferring these patterns to polyacrylamide hydrogels during polymerization. This method is also compatible with traction force microscopy, allowing the user to measure and map the distribution of cell-generated forces within the confined colonies. In combination with standard biochemical assays, these measurements can be used to examine the role mechanical cues play in fate specification and morphogenesis during early human development.

Extracellular matrix ligands can be patterned onto polyacrylamide hydrogels to enable the culture of human embryonic stem cells in confined colonies on compliant substrates. This method can be combined with traction force microscopy and biochemical assays to examine the interplay between tissue geometry, cell-generated forces, and fate specification.

Modellazione della geometria delle colonie di cellule staminali embrionali umane su substrati conformi per controllare la meccanica a livello di tessuto

Human embryonic stem cells demonstrate a unique ability to respond to morphogens in vitro by self-organizing patterns of cell fate specification that ...

Transplantation of a 3D Bioprinted Patch in a Murine Model of Myocardial Infarction

Testing regenerative properties of 3D bioprinted cardiac patches in vivo using murine models of heart failure via permanent left anterior descending (LAD) ligation is a challenging procedure and has a high mortality rate due to its nature. We developed a method to consistently transplant bioprinted patches of cells and hydrogels onto the epicardium of an infarcted mouse heart to test their regenerative properties in a robust and feasible way. First, a deeply anesthetized mouse is carefully intubated and ventilated. Following left lateral thoracotomy (surgical opening of the chest), the exposed LAD is permanently ligated and the bioprinted patch transplanted onto the epicardium. The mouse quickly recovers from the procedure after chest closure. The advantages of this robust and quick approach include a predicted 28-day mortality rate of up to 30% (lower than the 44% reported by other studies using a similar model of permanent LAD ligation in mice). Moreover, the approach described in this protocol is versatile and could be adapted to test bioprinted patches using different cell types or hydrogels where high numbers of animals are needed to optimally power studies. Overall, we present this as an advantageous approach which may change preclinical testing in future studies for the field of cardiac regeneration and tissue engineering.

This protocol aims to transplant a 3D bioprinted patch onto the epicardium of infarcted mice modeling heart failure. It includes details regarding anesthesia, the surgical chest opening, permanent ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and application of a bioprinted patch onto the infarcted area of the heart.

Trapianto di una patch biostampa 3D in un modello Murine di infarto miocardico

Testing regenerative properties of 3D bioprinted cardiac patches in vivo using murine models of heart failure via permanent left anterior descending (LAD) ...

Probing Myosin Ensemble Mechanics in Actin Filament Bundles Using Optical Tweezers

Myosins are motor proteins that hydrolyze ATP to step along actin filament (AF) tracks and are essential in cellular processes such as motility and muscle contraction. To understand their force-generating mechanisms, myosin II has been investigated both at the single-molecule (SM) level and as teams of motors in vitro using biophysical methods such as optical trapping.
These studies showed that myosin force-generating behavior can differ greatly when moving from the single-molecule level in a three-bead arrangement to groups of motors working together on a rigid bead or coverslip surface in a gliding arrangement. However, these assay constructions do not permit evaluating the group dynamics of myosin within viscoelastic structural hierarchy as they would within a cell. We have developed a method using optical tweezers to investigate the mechanics of force generation by myosin ensembles interacting with multiple actin filaments.
These actomyosin bundles facilitate investigation in a hierarchical and compliant environment that captures motor communication and ensemble force output. The customizable nature of the assay allows for altering experimental conditions to understand how modifications to the myosin ensemble, actin filament bundle, or the surrounding environment result in differing force outputs.

Formation of actomyosin bundles in vitro and measuring myosin ensemble force generation using optical tweezers is presented and discussed.

Sondare la meccanica dell'ensemble di miosina in fasci di filamenti di actina usando pinzette ottiche

Myosins are motor proteins that hydrolyze ATP to step along actin filament (AF) tracks and are essential in cellular processes such as motility and muscle ...

Chemical Triphosphorylation of Oligonucleotides

The 5&#8242;-triphosphate is an essential nucleic acid modification found throughout all life and increasingly used as a functional modification of oligonucleotides in biotechnology and synthetic biology. Oligonucleotide 5&#8242;-triphosphates have historically been prepared in vitro by enzymatic methods. However, these methods are limited to natural RNA oligonucleotides, have strong sequence preferences, and tend to produce heterogeneous products. New methods of chemical triphosphorylation complement both the reduced cost of automated oligonucleotide synthesis by phosphoramidite chemistry and the diverse range of nucleotide modifications now available. Thus, the synthesis of oligonucleotide triphosphates of arbitrary sequence and length, and optionally containing various nonnatural modifications, is now accessible.
This paper presents the appropriate methods and techniques for chemical triphosphorylation of oligonucleotides using salicyl phosphorochloridite and pyrophosphate. This method uses commercially available reagents, is compatible with most oligonucleotides prepared by standard solid-phase synthesis methods, and can be completed in 2 h following oligonucleotide synthesis, before deprotection and purification. Two uses of chemically triphosphorylated oligonucleotides as substrates for catalytic RNA enzymes are demonstrated, including the synthesis of a mirror-image version of the hammerhead ribozyme from nonbiological L-RNA triphosphates.

Oligonucleotide 5&#8242;-triphosphates are ubiquitous components in essential biological pathways and have seen increasing use in biotechnology applications. Here, we describe techniques for the routine synthesis and purification of oligonucleotide 5&#8242;-triphosphates, starting from oligonucleotides prepared by standard automated synthesis techniques.

Trifosforilazione chimica degli oligonucleotidi

The 5&#8242;-triphosphate is an essential nucleic acid modification found throughout all life and increasingly used as a functional modification of ...

Facilitating Cerebral Organoid Culture via Lateral Soft Light Illumination

At present, cerebral organoid culture technology is still complicated to operate and difficult to apply on a large scale. It is necessary to find a simple and practical solution. Therefore, a more feasible cerebral organoid protocol is proposed in the present study. To solve the unavoidable inconvenience in medium change and organoid transfer in the early stage, the current research optimizes the operation technology by applying the engineering principle. A soft light lamp was adopted to laterally illuminate the embryoid body (EB) samples, allowing the EBs to be seen by the naked eye through the enhanced diffuse reflection effect. Using the principle of secondary flow generated by rotation, the organoids gather toward the center of the well, which facilitates the operation of medium change or organoid transfer. Compared to the dispersed cell, the embryoid body settles faster in the pipette. Using this phenomenon, most of the free cells and dead cell fragments can be effectively removed in a simple way, preventing EBs from incurring damage from centrifugation. This study facilitates the operation of cerebral organoid culture and helps to promote the application of brain organoids.

Facilitating Cerebral Organoid Culture via Lateral Soft Light Illumination

Cerebral organoids provide unprecedented opportunities for studying organ development and human disease pathology. Although great success has been achieved with cerebral organoid culture systems, there are still operational difficulties in applying this technology. The present protocol describes a cerebral organoid procedure that facilitates medium change and organoid transfer.

Facilitare la coltura di organoidi cerebrali tramite illuminazione laterale a luce soffusa

At present, cerebral organoid culture technology is still complicated to operate and difficult to apply on a large scale. It is necessary to find a simple ...