February 2014: This Month in JoVE

Summary

Here's a look at what's coming up in the February 2014 issue of JoVE.

Protocol

Methods for Studying the Mechanisms of Action of Antipsychotic Drugs in Caenorhabditis elegans

Limin Hao^1,2, Edgar A. Buttner^1,2

¹Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, ²Mailman Research Center, McLean Hospital

Approaches for testing the effects of antipsychotic drugs (APDs) in Caenorhabditis elegans are demonstrated. Assays are described for testing drug effects on development and viability and on pharyngeal pumping rate. These methods are also applicable for pharmacogenetic experiments with drug classes other than APDs.

Assessment of Calcium Sparks in Intact Skeletal Muscle Fibers

Ki Ho Park¹, Noah Weisleder², Jingsong Zhou³, Kristyn Gumpper¹, Xinyu Zhou¹, Pu Duann⁴, Jianjie Ma¹, Pei-Hui Lin¹

¹Department of Surgery, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, ²Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, ³Department of Molecular Biophysics and Physiology, Rush University Medical Center, ⁴Department of Internal Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Described here is a method to directly measure calcium sparks, the elementary units of Ca²⁺ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum, in intact skeletal muscle fibers. This method utilizes osmotic-stress-mediated triggering of Ca²⁺ release from ryanodine receptor in isolated muscle fibers. The dynamics and homeostatic capacity of intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling can be employed to assess muscle function in health and disease.

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach

Philipp Fuge*^1,2, Simone Grimm*^1,2,3,4, Anne Weigand^1,2,3, Yan Fan^1,3, Matti Gärtner^1,3, Melanie Feeser^1,3, Malek Bajbouj^1,2,3

¹Cluster of Excellence "Languages of Emotion", Freie Universität Berlin, ²Department of Psychiatry, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité Berlin, ³Dahlem Institute for Neuroimaging of Emotion, Freie Universität Berlin, ⁴Clinic for Affective Disorders and General Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich

We tested the usability of a tablet-computer-based application (EmoCogMeter) in investigating the effects of age on cognition. Results show an age-related cognitive decline, thereby proving the usability of our application. Findings underline the great clinical and practical potential of a tablet-based application for detection and monitoring of cognitive dysfunction.

Investigating the Three-dimensional Flow Separation Induced by a Model Vocal Fold Polyp

Kelley C. Stewart¹, Byron D. Erath², Michael W. Plesniak¹

¹Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, ²Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Clarkson University

Vocal fold polyps can disrupt vocal fold dynamics and thus can have devastating consequences on a patient's ability to communicate. Three-dimensional flow separation induced by a wall-mounted model polyp and its impact on the wall pressure loading are examined using particle image velocimetry, skin friction line visualization, and wall pressure measurements.

An Improved Method for Accurate and Rapid Measurement of Flight Performance in Drosophila

Daniel T. Babcock, Barry Ganetzky

Department of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Here we describe a method for rapid and accurate measurement of flight performance in Drosophila, enabling high-throughput screening.