May 2012: This Month in JoVE

Summary

Here are some highlights from the May 2012 Issue of Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE).

Protocol

MPI CyberMotion Simulator: Implementation of a Novel Motion Simulator to Investigate Multisensory Path Integration in Three Dimensions

Michael Barnett-Cowan¹, Tobias Meilinger¹, Manuel Vidal², Harald Teufel¹, Heinrich H. Bülthoff^{1, 3
1}Department of Human Perception, Cognition and Action, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, ²Laboratoire de Physiologie de la Perception et de l'Action, Collège de France - CNRS, ³Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University

An efficient way to gain insight into how humans navigate themselves in three dimensions is described. The method takes advantage of a motion simulator capable of moving observers in ways unattainable by traditional simulators. Results confirm that movement in the horizontal plane is underestimated, while vertical movement is overestimated.

Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen

Dennis Ma¹, Jonathan Collins², Tomas Hudlicky², Siyaram Pandey^1
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, ²Chemistry Department and Centre for Biotechnology, Brock University

We have synthesized a novel analogue of pancratistatin with comparable anti-cancer activity as native pancratistatin; interestingly, combinatory treatment with tamoxifen yielded a drastic enhancement in apoptotic and autophagic induction by mitochondrial targeting with minimal effect on noncancerous fibroblasts. Thus, JCTH-4 in combination with tamoxifen could provide a safe anti-cancer therapy.

Isolation and Culture of Human Fungiform Taste Cells

Hakan Ozdener¹, Andrew I. Spielman², Nancy E. Rawson^3
1Monell Chemical Senses Center, ²New York University College of Dentistry, ³AFB International

We aimed to develop a reproducible protocol for isolating and maintaining long-term cultures of human fungiform taste papillae cells. Cells from human fungiform papillae obtained by biopsy were successfully maintained in culture for more than eight passages (12 months) without loss of viability.

Local and global methods of assessing thermal nociception in Drosophila larvae

Abanti Chattopadhyay^1,*, A'Tondra V. Gilstrap^{1, 2,*}, Michael J. Galko^{1, 3, 4, 5
1}Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, ²Scholars Academy/MARC Scholar, University of Houston-Downtown, ³Genes and Development Graduate Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, ⁴Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, ⁵Genes and Development Graduate Program, University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
^* These authors contributed equally

In this article, we demonstrate assays to study thermal nociception in Drosophila larvae. One assay involves spatially-restricted (local) stimulation of thermal nociceptors^1,2 while the second involves a wholesale (global) activation of most or all such neurons³. Together, these techniques allow visualization and quantification of the behavioral functions of Drosophila nociceptive sensory neurons.

Do-It-Yourself Device for Recovery of Cryopreserved Samples Accidentally Dropped into Cryogenic Storage Tanks

Rohini Mehta^{1, 2, 3}, Ancha Baranova^{1, 2, 3, 4}, Aybike Birerdinc^{1, 2, 3
1}Molecular and Microbiology Department, George Mason University, ²Center for the Study of Genomics in Liver Diseases, George Mason University, ³Translational Research Institute, Inova Health System, ⁴Research Center for Medical Genetics RAMS

Here we present a low cost, durable cryotolerant device for sample retrieval from Dewar tanks filled with liquid nitrogen. The ease of construction and modular design of the device makes the process of sample retrieval from cryogenic tanks safe and easy.

Electroantennographic Bioassay as a Screening Tool for Host Plant Volatiles

John J. Beck, Douglas M. Light, Wai S. Gee
Plant Mycotoxin Research, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service

A method to rapidly screen host plant volatiles by measurement of the electrophysiological response of adult navel orangeworm (Amyelois transitella) antennae to single components and blends via electroantennographic analysis is demonstrated.

Collection Protocol for Human Pancreas

Martha L. Campbell-Thompson, Emily L. Montgomery, Robin M. Foss, Kerwin M. Kolheffer, Gerald Phipps, Lynda Schneider, Mark A. Atkinson
Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida

This video demonstrates a dissection procedure for processing human pancreas into multiple storage formats. Anatomical orientation is maintained throughout the pancreatic regions to allow definition of regional islet composition and density.