{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.0068201193520886615, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0, 'mean_word_length': 5.786127167630058, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Culture methods and initial characterization of intercostal skeletal fibers isolated from the adult mouse

Primary cultures of single adult skeletal muscle fibers dissociated from locomotor muscles adhered to glass coverslips are routine models in muscle biology. Such models allow the functional and biological properties of live muscle fibers to be probed under carefully controlled conditions. Single fiber models also make muscle fibers highly accessible to various procedures such as the expression of exogenous proteins, electric field stimulation to drive contraction and pharmacological treatment. Such isolated fiber cultures have not been established for the intercostal muscles, despite the critical function of these muscles and the role of respiration in the mortality of many muscular diseases. We have developed an adherent culture system based on single intercostal muscle fibers isolated from the adult mouse for use in physiological and biochemical studies. We also provide initial characterization and demonstrate several common techniques in this new model system with comparisons to the established Flexor Digitorum Brevis muscle primary culture model.