Neuroregulatory Effects of Microcone Patch Stimulation on the Auricular Branch of the Vagus Nerve and the Prefrontal Cortex: A Feasibility Study.

: The primary purpose of this study was to preliminarily examine the effects of autonomic nervous system activity on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Recent studies have examined approaches to modulating autonomic activity using invasive and non-invasive methods, but the effects of changes in autonomic activity during cognitive tasks on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex have not been fully investigated. The purpose of this preliminary investigation was to examine changes in autonomic activity and blood oxygen saturation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during reading tasks induced by vagus nerve stimulation using a microcone patch.

Cortical adaptation of the night monkey to a nocturnal niche environment: a comparative non-invasive T1w/T2w myelin study.

Night monkeys (Aotus) are the only genus of monkeys within the Simian lineage that successfully occupy a nocturnal environmental niche. Their behavior is supported by their sensory organs' distinctive morphological features; however, little is known about their evolutionary adaptations in sensory regions of the cerebral cortex. Here, we investigate this question by exploring the cortical organization of night monkeys using high-resolution in-vivo brain MRI and comparative cortical-surface T1w/T2w myeloarchitectonic mapping.

Anatomical variability, multi-modal coordinate systems, and precision targeting in the marmoset brain.

Localising accurate brain regions needs careful evaluation in each experimental species due to their individual variability. However, the function and connectivity of brain areas is commonly studied using a single-subject cranial landmark-based stereotactic atlas in animal neuroscience. Here, we address this issue in a small primate, the common marmoset, which is increasingly widely used in systems neuroscience.

Low Immunogenicity and Immunosuppressive Properties of Human ESC- and iPSC-Derived Retinas.

ESC- and iPSC-derived retinal transplantation is a promising therapeutic approach for disease with end-stage retinal degeneration, such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. We previously showed medium- to long-term survival, maturation, and light response of transplanted human ESC- and iPSC-retina in mouse, rat, and monkey models of end-stage retinal degeneration. Because the use of patient hiPSC-derived retina with a disease-causing gene mutation is not appropriate for therapeutic use, allogeneic transplantation using retinal tissue/cells differentiated from a stocked hESC and iPSC line would be most practical.

Automated segmentation of an intensity calibration phantom in clinical CT images using a convolutional neural network.

Purpose: In quantitative computed tomography (CT), manual selection of the intensity calibration phantom's region of interest is necessary for calculating density (mg/cm) from the radiodensity values (Hounsfield units: HU). However, as this manual process requires effort and time, the purposes of this study were to develop a system that applies a convolutional neural network (CNN) to automatically segment intensity calibration phantom regions in CT images and to test the system in a large cohort to evaluate its robustness.

Methods: This cross-sectional, retrospective study included 1040 cases (520 each from two institutions) in which an intensity calibration phantom (B-MAS200, Kyoto Kagaku, Kyoto, Japan) was used.

[A Trial of Unified Management of Language Tasks Using a Tablet Device for Language Area Mapping].

Language tasks must be based on perioperative neuropsychological evaluation during intraoperative language area mapping for the resection of brain tumor near the language cortex under awake craniotomy. However, flexibility is needed during surgery, because actions during surgery must change based on neurological symptoms and the presence or absence of aphasia. Here, we developed software to assess patients' ability to complete language tasks during surgery by using a tablet device; these language tasks serve as indicators of changes in patient status.

Individual identity and affective valence in marmoset calls: in vivo brain imaging with vocal sound playback.

As with humans, vocal communication is an important social tool for nonhuman primates. Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) often produce whistle-like 'phee' calls when they are visually separated from conspecifics. The neural processes specific to phee call perception, however, are largely unknown, despite the possibility that these processes involve social information.

Marmoset Serotonin 5-HT1A Receptor Mapping with a Biased Agonist PET Probe 18F-F13714: Comparison with an Antagonist Tracer 18F-MPPF in Awake and Anesthetized States.

Background: In vivo mapping by positron emission tomography of the serotonin 1A receptors has been hindered by the lack of suitable agonist positron emission tomography probes. F-labeled F13714 is a recently developed biased agonist positron emission tomography probe that preferentially targets subpopulations of serotonin 1A receptors in their "active state," but its brain labeling pattern in nonhuman primate has not been described. In addition, a potential confound in the translatability of PET data between nonhuman animal and human arise from the use of anesthetics that may modify the binding profiles of target receptors.

Reduced neurotoxicity with combined treatment of high-dose methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone (M-CHOP) and deferred radiotherapy for primary central nervous system lymphoma.

Objective: Although high-dose methotrexate and whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) is the current standard for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), it has a limited response rate and produces radiation-induced neurotoxicity. We report the effect of a combined treatment of high-dose methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone (M-CHOP) for immunocompetent patients with PCNSL.

Methods: We analyzed 24 patients who had received M-CHOP administered in 28-day cycles with or without WBRT.

Evaluation of dopamine D₂/D₃ and serotonin 5-HT₂A receptor occupancy for a novel antipsychotic, lurasidone, in conscious common marmosets using small-animal positron emission tomography.

Rationale: Lurasidone is a novel antipsychotic drug with potent binding affinity for dopamine D(2) and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT)(2A), 5-HT(7), and 5-HT(1A) receptors. Previous pharmacological studies have revealed that lurasidone exhibits a preferable profile (potent antipsychotic activity and lower incidence of catalepsy) to other antipsychotic drugs, although the contribution of receptor subtypes to this profile remains unclear.

Objectives: To compare target engagements of lurasidone with those of an atypical antipsychotic, olanzapine, we performed evaluation of dopamine D(2)/D(3) and serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptor occupancy in vivo by positron emission tomography (PET) with conscious common marmosets.

Linkage between the midline cortical serotonergic system and social behavior traits: positron emission tomography studies of common marmosets.

Serotonin is known to play an important role not only in regulating emotional behaviors, but also in the formation of social behavior traits. To determine the location and serotonin function of brain areas involved in social behavior traits, we tested serotonin transporter (SERT) binding and neural activity linked with the social behaviors of common marmosets with positron emission tomography using [(11)C]-3-amino-4-(2-dimetylaminomethyl-phenylsulfanyl)-benzonitrile and [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose, respectively. Factor analysis of behavioral measures during a direct encounter between unfamiliar adult males identified three classes of social behavioral traits: (1) aggressive, (2) anxious, and (3) unfriendly (opposite of friendly).

Switching of the enzymatic activity synchronized with signal recognition by an artificial DNA receptor on a liposomal membrane.

We constructed a supramolecular system on a liposomal membrane that is capable of activating an enzyme via DNA hybridization. The design of the system was inspired by natural signal transduction systems, in which enzymes amplify external signals to control signal transduction pathways. The liposomal membrane, providing a platform for the system, was prepared by the self-assembly of an oligonucleotide lipid, a phospholipid and a cationic synthetic lipid.

Mapping of serotonin transporters by positron emission tomography with [11C]DASB in conscious common marmosets: comparison with rhesus monkeys.

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is unique among the primates in its small body size, reproductive efficacy, and characteristic social behavior, making it useful as an animal model in neuroscientific research. To assess the brain serotonergic systems, we investigated the binding of [(11)C]-3-amino-4-(2-dimetylaminomethyl-phenylsulfanyl)-benzonitrile ([(11)C]DASB) to brain serotonin transporter (SERT) in conscious common marmosets using positron emission tomography (PET), and compared with findings for rhesus monkeys. Both species showed globally similar distribution patterns of [(11)C]DASB uptake in the brain, with highest activity in the midline of the brain and lowest in the cerebellum, and higher activity in some subcortical regions than in surrounding cortex, while the common marmoset brain showed almost equal or rather higher binding potential (BP) values (BP(ND)) in cortical regions and hippocampus, and lower BP(ND) than the rhesus monkey brain in some subcortical regions.

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2/atelocollagen composite as a new material for ossicular reconstruction.

Ossicular reconstruction is the rebuilding of the damaged middle ear. There are many different prosthesis and techniques used to reconstruct the middle ear ossicles. However, precision in the surgical procedures and prostheses used for ossiculoplasty are still imperfect.

Developmental dysgraphia with profound hearing impairment: intervention by auditory methods enabled by cochlear implant.

Learning disability combined with hearing impairment (LDHI) is a poor prognostic factor for the language development of hearing impaired children after educational intervention. A typical example of a child with LDHI and effective interventions provided by cochlear implants are presented in this report. A case of congenital cytomegaloviral infection that showed dysgraphia as well as profound deafness was reported and an underlying visual processing problem diagnosed in the present case caused the patient's dysgraphia.

Auditory steady-state responses to multiple simultaneous stimuli in children with functional or sensorineural hearing loss.

The goal of our study was to identify the role of auditory steady-state responses for hearing assessment in patients with functional hearing loss. The study design was to compare auditory steady-state response thresholds and standard pure-tone audiometry thresholds between patients with functional or sensorineural hearing loss. Subjects comprised 16 patients (24 ears) with functional hearing loss and 17 patients (24 ears) with sensorineural hearing loss.

Comprehension of abstract words among hearing impaired children.

Introduction: This study examines the ability and development in the comprehension of abstract words with hearing impaired children. The ability to understand abstract words is quite important for their academic learning and adaptation in their school life. Here, we qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed the development of abstract vocabulary in hearing impaired children using The Standardized Comprehension Test for Abstract Words (SCTAW).

Cochlear expression of a dominant-negative GJB2R75W construct delivered through the round window membrane in mice.

Development of a gene-delivery method to the inner ear is an essential step for studies of hearing function and gene therapy. Application of liposomes or adenoviral vectors onto the intact round window membrane (RWM) offers the possibility of atraumatic exogenous gene transfer. GJB2 encodes the gap junction protein Connexin26, which plays a crucial role in potassium recycling in the inner ear.

Longitudinal formant analysis after cochlear implantation in school-aged children.

Introduction: The purpose of this investigation was to describe the correlation between vocal and hearing development by longitudinal analysis of sound spectrograms, as a basic system for evaluating progress in vocal development.

Subjects And Methods: Two school-aged children with prelingual deafness were evaluated diachronically to assess speech perception and speech intelligibility after cochlear implantation. One child had non-syndromic hearing impairment without any known neurological deficit except for hearing loss, while the other had hearing impairment accompanied by mild mental retardation and attention deficit disorder.

Using assessment of higher brain functions of children with GJB2-associated deafness and cochlear implants as a procedure to evaluate language development.

Objective: While investigators have reported that patients with GJB2-associated deafness and cochlear implants have preferable language development, the mechanisms of this phenomenon remains unknown. The goal of the present study was to assess higher brain functions of patients with GJB2-related and GJB2-unrelated deafness as a method of evaluating language development.

Methods: Eight children with cochlear implants were subjected to genetic testing for GJB2 and underwent the Raven colored progressive matrices test, Rey's auditory verbal learning test, Rey's complex figure test, the standardized language test for aphasia, the picture vocabulary test, and the standardized comprehension test for abstract words.