Summary
Welcome to JoVE's year in review, where we highlight some of the most intriguing video protocols published during the past year.
Protocol
Behavioral Disturbances: An Innovative Approach to Monitor the Modulatory Effects of a Nutraceutical Diet
Alessandro Di Cerbo*1, Sara Sechi*2, Sergio Canello3, Gianandrea Guidetti3, Filippo Fiore2, Raffaella Cocco2
1School of Specialization in Clinical Biochemistry, “G. d’Annunzio” University, 2Department of Veterinary Medicine, Pathology and Veterinary Clinic Section, University of Sassari, 3Research and Development Department, Forza10 USA Corp.
We report a simple approach to evaluate the effectiveness of a specific diet in positively modulating the daily activity and clinical and behavioral symptoms of dogs with evident behavioral disturbances.
Activating Autophagy by Aerobic Exercise in Mice
Altea Rocchi, Congcong He
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Northwestern University
Autophagy activation is beneficial in the prevention of a number of diseases. One of the physiological approaches to induce autophagy in vivo is physical exercise. Here we show how to activate autophagy by aerobic exercise and measure autophagy levels in mice.
Fabrication of Three-dimensional Paper-based Microfluidic Devices for Immunoassays
Syrena C. Fernandes, Daniel J. Wilson, Charles R. Mace
Department of Chemistry, Tufts University
We detail a method to fabricate three-dimensional paper-based microfluidic devices for use in the development of immunoassays. Our approach to device assembly is a type of multilayer, additive manufacturing. We demonstrate a sandwich immunoassay to provide representative results for these types of paper-based devices.
Evaluating the Effect of Environmental Chemicals on Honey Bee Development from the Individual to Colony Level
Chong-Yu Ko, Yue-Wen Chen, Yu-Shin Nai
Department of Biotechnology and Animal Science, National Ilan University
Herein we present a method to feed pesticide contaminated food to both an individual honey bee and a beehive colony. The procedure evaluates the pesticide effect on individual honey bees by in vivo feeding of basic larval diet and also on the natural condition of beehive colony.
Using Wavelet Entropy to Demonstrate how Mindfulness Practice Increases Coordination between Irregular Cerebral and Cardiac Activities
Hin Hung Sik1, Junling Gao1,2, Jicong Fan1, Bonnie Wai Yan Wu1, Hang Kin Leung1, Yeung Sam Hung2
1Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, 2Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong
This manuscript describes how to use the wavelet entropy index to analyze high-density electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) data. We show that the irregularity of cerebral and cardiac activities became more coordinated during mindfulness-based stress reduction practice.
A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens
Marlene K. Wolfe, Daniele S. Lantagne
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University
Handwashing is widely recommended to prevent infectious disease transmission. However, there is little evidence on which handwashing methods are most efficacious at removing infectious disease pathogens. We developed a method to assess the efficacy of handwashing methods at removing microorganisms.
Smartphone Fundus Photography
Hossein Nazari Khanamiri, Austin Nakatsuka, Jaafar El-Annan
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch
Fundus photography normally requires specialized fundus cameras that are not always available in all clinical settings. Here, a simple method to record ocular fundus images using a smartphone camera and a conventional high-plus handheld indirect ophthalmoscopy lens is described.
Protocol for Assessing the Relative Effects of Environment and Genetics on Antler and Body Growth for a Long-lived Cervid
Eric S. Michel1,2, Emily B. Flinn1, Stephen Demarais1, Bronson K. Strickland1, Guiming Wang1, Chad M. Dacus3
1Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, 2Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University, 3Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
Phenotypic differences among cervid populations may be related to population-level genetics or nutrition; discerning which is difficult in the wild. This protocol describes how we designed a controlled study where nutritional variation was eliminated. We found that phenotypic variation of male white-tailed deer was more limited by nutrition than genetics.
A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact
Henry Y. Yu, Brooklynn M. Knowles, Christopher R. Dennison
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta
Using an anthropometric head and neck, optical fiber-based fit force transducers, an array of head acceleration and neck force/moment transducers, and a dual high speed camera system, we present a test bed to study helmet retention and effects on biomechanical measures of head and neck injury secondary to head impact.
Automated Gait Analysis in Mice with Chronic Constriction Injury
Dong-Wook Kang1, Jae-Gyun Choi1, Ji-Young Moon2, Suk-Yun Kang2, Yeonhee Ryu2, Jin Bong Park1, Hyun-Woo Kim1,3
1Department of Physiology and Medical Science, College of Medicine and Brain Research Institute, Chungnam National University, 2KM Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM), 3Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
The precise assessment of pain response in a neuropathic animal model is critical to investigate the pathophysiology of pain diseases and develop new analgesics. We present a sensitive and objective method to determine the sensory function of the rodent hind paw by an automated gait analysis system.
Wind Tunnel Experiments to Study Chaparral Crown Fires
Jeanette Cobian-Iñiguez1, AmirHessam Aminfar1, Joey Chong2, Gloria Burke2, Albertina Zuniga1, David R. Weise2, Marko Princevac1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Riverside, 2Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service
This protocol describes wind tunnel experiments designed to study the transition of a fire from the ground to the canopy of chaparral shrubs.
Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
Dario Manara1, Luca Soldi1,2,4, Sara Mastromarino1,3,5, Kostantinos Boboridis1, Davide Robba1, Luka Vlahovic1, Rudy Konings1
1European Commission, Joint Research Centre, 2Energy Department, Politecnico di Milano, 3Department of Chemical Physics, Sapienza - Università di Roma, 4CEA Saclay, 5TU Delft
We present experiments in which real nuclear fuel, cladding, and containment materials are laser heated to temperatures beyond 3,000 K while their behavior is studied by radiance spectroscopy and thermal analysis. These experiments simulate, on a laboratory scale, the formation of a lava-phase following a nuclear reactor core meltdown.
Disclosures
No conflicts of interest declared.
