Accumax xs 254

To determine effects of UV-induced tissue damage on larval cold nociception and sensitization, larvae were irradiated by exposure to 10–14 mJ/cm² UV-C (as previously described [38 (link)]) and then allowed to recover on food in a 25°C incubator before being tested in the nociceptive assays 4, 8, 16 or 24 hours later. For this, 3^rd instar larvae of similar size were selected 4–5 days after egg laying and irradiated, then tested in the cold assay after recovery from UV. Before irradiation, larvae were immobilized on a cold slide for a few minutes, then fine-tipped forceps were used to position the larvae dorsal side up in a row along the length of the slide. The spectrolinker XL-1000 UV crosslinker (Spectroline) was warmed up, and the UV dose was measured with a hand-held UV spectrophotometer (AccuMAX XS-254, Spectroline) just prior to exposure to get an accurate reading. All UV doses fell within 10–14 mJ/cm², which have been shown to induce epidermal cell death [55 (link)] while sparing the peripheral sensory neurons from significant morphological changes [46 (link), 56 ]. Larvae were then administered UV (actual dose recorded), and carefully placed into a vial of food with a paintbrush to recover for a variable amount of time before being tested in nociceptive assays.