University of Milano-Bicocca View Institution's Website 6 articles published in JoVE Neuroscience Real-time Video Projection in an MRI for Characterization of Neural Correlates Associated with Mirror Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain Faddi G. Saleh Velez1,2, Camila B. Pinto1,3, Emma S. Bailin4, Marionna Münger1, Andrew Ellison5, Beatriz T. Costa1, David Crandell6, Nadia Bolognini7,8, Lotfi B. Merabet4, Felipe Fregni1 1Laboratory of Neuromodulation & Center for Clinical Research Learning, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, 2University of Chicago Medical Center, Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, 3Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Psychology Institute, University of Sao Paulo, 4The Laboratory for Visual Neuroplasticity, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 5Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, 6Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 7Department of Psychology & Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 8Neuropsychological Laboratory, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Auxologico Italiano We present a novel combined behavioral and neuroimaging protocol employing real-time video projection for the purpose of characterizing the neural correlates associated with mirror therapy within the magnetic resonance imaging scanner environment in leg amputee subjects with phantom limb pain. Immunology and Infection Deep Dermal Injection As a Model of Candida albicans Skin Infection for Histological Analyses William Santus1, Francesca Mingozzi1, Marina Vai1, Francesca Granucci*1, Ivan Zanoni*1,2 1Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, 2 Here we describe a protocol that allows histological and molecular analysis of skin samples after Candida albicans intradermal injection. This protocol maintains the structural integrity of the skin and allows for the localization of tissue-resident or newly recruited immune cells as well as the pathogen distribution. Developmental Biology Induction of Acute Skeletal Muscle Regeneration by Cardiotoxin Injection Ombretta Guardiola1, Gennaro Andolfi1, Mario Tirone2,3, Francescopaolo Iavarone1, Silvia Brunelli2, Gabriella Minchiotti1 1Stem Cell Fate Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "A. Buzzati Traverso", CNR, 2School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 3Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute This manuscript describes a detailed protocol to induce acute skeletal muscle regeneration in adult mice and subsequent manipulations of the muscles, such as dissection, freezing, cutting, routine staining, and myofiber cross-sectional area analysis. Bioengineering In Vitro Permeation of FITC-loaded Ferritins Across a Rat Blood-brain Barrier: a Model to Study the Delivery of Nanoformulated Molecules Luisa Fiandra1, Serena Mazzucchelli1, Marta Truffi1, Michela Bellini2, Luca Sorrentino1, Fabio Corsi1 1Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche Luigi Sacco, Università di Milano, 2Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università di Milano-Bicocca A method to establish an in vitro model of blood-brain barrier based on a co-culture of rat brain microvascular endothelial cells and astrocytes is described and validated. This system proved to be a valid tool to study the effect of nanoformulation on the trans-barrier permeation of fluorescent molecules. Immunology and Infection Preparation of Single-cell Suspensions for Cytofluorimetric Analysis from Different Mouse Skin Regions Achille Broggi1,2, Clara Cigni1, Ivan Zanoni1,2,3, Francesca Granucci1,3 1Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, 2Boston Children's Hospital, Division of Gastroenterology, Harvard Medical School, 3Humanitas Clinical and Research Center The skin is home to a complex immune cell network. We describe an efficient methodology for the digestion of mouse skin, from different parts of the animal's body, in order to obtain a single-cell suspension and analyze the different leukocyte populations resident in the skin by flow cytometry. Medicine Optimized System for Cerebral Perfusion Monitoring in the Rat Stroke Model of Intraluminal Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Simone Beretta1, Matteo Riva1, Davide Carone1, Elisa Cuccione1, Giada Padovano1, Virginia Rodriguez Menendez1, Giovanni B. Pappadá1, Alessandro Versace1, Carlo Giussani1, Erik P. Sganzerla1, Carlo Ferrarese1 1Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Technologies, University of Milano Bicocca Cerebral perfusion monitoring has been demonstrated to improve accuracy in ischemic stroke models. Technical difficulties often limit the use of this essential tool for cerebrovascular research. In this video, an optimized system is shown to obtain a single or multi-site hemodynamic monitoring during intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats.