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It has been observed that ultraviolet (UV) and visible light induce vasodilation (i.e. photodilation) and increases local blood flow in skin. It is, however, not known whether the resulting vasodilation is a primary, NO-mediated effect, or a secondary effect of ultraviolet light phototoxicity. To address this question, we utilized the Pallid bat wing model at TAMU. The wing is thin and transparent, allowing for intravital microscopy without invasive procedures (leading to confounding effects of anesthesia and trauma). TAMU, however, has the only extant colony of bats dedicated to vascular research. To access unique animal and laboratory resources, we employed a novel use of Internet technology we refer to as 'e-Research', consisting of logging into a remote computer capable of manipulating positioning of an intravital microscope. To characterize an acute inflammatory response, we exposed the Pallid bat wing to brightfield and ultraviolet light and counted interactive leukocytes along the walls of post-capillary venules. We observed a measurable, but not significant, increase in leukocyte activity. In this study, we showed that light-induced vasodilation is not a consequence of an acute inflammatory response (i.e. tissue damage). Our unique approach allows us to explore basic microvascular function and acute inflammatory responses with well-established intravital microscopic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet is primarily used for information, commerce, and education. We implemented and investigated a novel approach to performing live animal research by utilizing the Internet to access remote research facilities. Over a period of several months, investigators at USMA accessed an intravital microscopy center at TAMU laboratory by connecting to a remote computer-driven microscope. The laboratory houses a unique resource -- the world's sole colony of bats dedicated to vascular research. Our experiences provide an initial evaluation of the challenges of e-Research. We identified three categories of challenges: 1) technical, e.g., Internet bandwidth and security, 2) training, e.g., distance vs. local training, complexity of computer software, 3) Communication, e.g., one-on-one vs. community, data acquisition, formal reporting. We found communication to be the primary obstacle to completing an experiment as planned. Of 16 experiments meant to evaluate the inflammatory response of the Pallid bat, three were conducted as written and planned. This is a higher failure rate vis-à-vis traditional research protocols. Potentially centralizing rare animal care facilities and trained technicians, as well as accessing a community of scientists with diverse expertise, however, e-Research may increase access to and effectiveness of rare life science resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]