Sao Paulo State University 8 articles published in JoVE Biology Collection and Long-Term Maintenance of Leaf-Cutting Ants (Atta) in Laboratory Conditions Bianca Raissa Nogueira1, Amanda Aparecida de Oliveira1, Janiele Pereira da Silva2, Odair Correa Bueno1 1Institute of Biosciences, Department of General and Applied Biology, Laboratory of Leaf-cutting Ants, São Paulo State University, 2Institute of Psychology, Laboratory Walter Hugo Cunha, São Paulo University Here, a protocol is described to successfully collect and maintain healthy Atta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) ant colonies in laboratory conditions. Additionally, different nest types and configurations are detailed together with possible experimental procedures. Biochemistry Sample Preparation and Relative Quantitation using Reductive Methylation of Amines for Peptidomics Studies Claudia Neves Correa1,2, Louise Oliveira Fiametti1, Maria Eduarda Mazzi Esquinca1, Leandro Mantovani de Castro1,2 1Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Bioscience Institute, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 2Biodiversity of Coastal Environments Postgraduate Program, Bioscience Institute, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) This article describes a sample preparation method based on heat-inactivation to preserve endogenous peptides avoiding degradation post-mortem, followed by relative quantitation using isotopic labeling plus LC-MS. Biology Systematic Approach to Identify Novel Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Molecules from Plants' Extracts and Fractions to Prevent Dental Caries Sabrina M. Ribeiro*1, Érick D. O. Fratucelli*1, Júlia M. Fernandes*2, Paula C. P. Bueno2,3, Alberto José Cavalheiro2, Marlise I. Klein1 1Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 2Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 3Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeiraão Preto (FCFRP-USP), Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of São Paulo Natural products represent promising starting points for the development of new drugs and therapeutic agents. However, due to the high chemical diversity, finding new therapeutic compounds from plants is a challenging and time-consuming task. We describe a simplified approach to identify antimicrobial and antibiofilm molecules from plant extracts and fractions. Chemistry The Effect of Anodization Parameters on the Aluminum Oxide Dielectric Layer of Thin-Film Transistors Tiago C. Gomes*1, Dinesh Kumar*2, Neri Alves*1, Jeff Kettle*2, Lucas Fugikawa-Santos*3 1School of Technology and Sciences, São Paulo State University - UNESP, 2Scholl of Electronic Engineering, Bangor University, 3Institute of Geosciences and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University - UNESP Anodization parameters for growth of the aluminum-oxide dielectric layer of zinc-oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) are varied to determine the effects on the electrical parameter responses. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is applied to a Plackett-Burman design of experiments (DOE) to determine the manufacturing conditions that result in optimized device performance. Biochemistry A Rapidly Incremented Tethered-Swimming Maximal Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Assessment of Swimmers Dalton M. Pessôa Filho*1,2, Danilo A. Massini*2, Leandro O. C. Siqueira*2, Luiz Gustavo A. Santos*2, Camila M. T. Vasconcelos*2, Tiago A. F. Almeida*1,3, Mário A. C. Espada*4,5, Joana F. Reis*3,6, Francisco B. Alves*3, Fred J. DiMenna*7,8 1Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University (UNESP) at Bauru, 2Institute of Bioscience, Graduate Program in Human Development and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP) at Rio Claro, 3Ciper, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, 4Department of Science and Technology, School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, 5Quality of Life Research Center, Polytechnic Institute of Santarem, 6Universidade Europeia at Lisbon, 7Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 8Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University As opposed to measurement during free swimming, which presents inherent challenges and limitations, determination of important parameters of cardiorespiratory function for swimmers can be made using a more feasible and easier to administer tethered-swimming rapidly incremented protocol with gas exchange and ventilatory data collection. Neuroscience Short-Term Free-Floating Slice Cultures from the Adult Human Brain Artur Fernandes1,2, Niele Dias Mendes1,3, Glaucia Maria Almeida1, Giovanna Orlovski Nogueira1, Carla de Moraes Machado4, Jose de Anchieta de Castro Horta-Junior4, João Alberto Assirati Junior5, Norberto Garcia-Cairasco2, Luciano Neder3, Adriano Sebollela1 1Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 2Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 3Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 4Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, 5Clinical Hospital at the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo A protocol to prepare free-floating slice cultures from adult human brain is presented. The protocol is a variation of the widely used slice culture method using membrane inserts. It is simple, cost-effective, and recommended for running short-term assays aimed to unravel mechanisms of neurodegeneration behind age-associated brain diseases. Chemistry Niobium Oxide Films Deposited by Reactive Sputtering: Effect of Oxygen Flow Rate Silvia L. Fernandes1, Lucas J. Affonço2, Roberto A. R. Junior2, José H. D. da Silva2, Elson Longo1, Carlos F. de O. Graeff2 1Chemistry Department, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCAR), 2Physics Department, School of Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP) Here, we present a protocol for niobium oxide films deposition by reactive sputtering with different oxygen flow rates for use as an electron transport layer in perovskite solar cells. Developmental Biology Derivation and Differentiation of Canine Ovarian Mesenchymal Stem Cells Amanda B.T. Hill1,2, Jonathan E.B.T. Hill1, Fabiana F. Bressan3, Maria Angélica Miglino4, Joaquim M. Garcia1 1The School of Agricultural and Veterinary Studies (FCAV), Jaboticabal, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 2CRRF, Université de Montréal, 3FZEA, University of São Paulo, 4FMVZ, University of São Paulo Herein, we describe a method for the isolation, expansion, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from canine ovarian tissue.