Journal of neuroscience methods
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J. Neurosci. Methods · Nov 2015
Combining micro-computed tomography with histology to analyze biomedical implants for peripheral nerve repair.
Biomedical implants used in tissue engineering repairs, such as scaffolds to repair peripheral nerves, can be too large to examine completely with histological analyses. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) with contrast agents allows ex vivo visualization of entire biomaterial implants and their interactions with tissues, but contrast agents can interfere with histological analyses of the tissues or cause shrinkage or loss of antigenicity. ⋯ Because this combination of treatments is rapid and does not alter tissue morphology, this expands the ex vivo methods available to examine the success of biomaterial implants used for tissue engineering repairs.
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J. Neurosci. Methods · Nov 2015
Transdermal spinal catheter placement in piglets: Description and validation of the technique.
The swine species represents a perfect model for translational medicine due to its physiological and anatomical resemblance to humans. The development of techniques for spinal catheter insertion in swine is significantly useful but, at the moment, the only technique described requires laminectomy as a surgical approach. ⋯ In conclusion, the technique can be performed safely in piglets, and provides an easier and less invasive approach for spinal catheter insertion.