Fatigue risk assessment for flight crews flying across time zones in different directions to the east or west during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

Background: There is a lack of data support and scientific validation of the Exemption Approach policy for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of protecting the health of flight crews and meeting the requirements for passenger and cargo transportation in emergencies, in terms of its safety and the circumstances that contribute to pilots' symptoms of jet lag and the risk of fatigue.

Methods: To assess pilots' sleep issues related to jet lag symptoms and fatigue, this study evaluated an example of risk management for flight crews on flights across time zones during the COVID-19 pandemic. To evaluate the crew's sleep status, variations in sleep index changes between before and after the flights, variations in sleepiness levels, and data on sleep indexes recorded by ActiGraph bracelets were collected from 146 crew members before and after flights eastward or westward across time zones.

Adaptive multi-surrogate model for complex opto-mechanical system alignment.

Owing to the inherent nonlinearity of surrogate models, they have been widely used in the alignment of complex opto-mechanical systems. Finding the most suitable surrogate model for misalignment wavefront errors is challenging. This study proposes an adaptive multi-surrogate model (AMSM) based on the concept of layer-by-layer approximation and adaptive selection and a compensation mechanism to facilitate the combination of the AMSM and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II).

A new stress measurement strategy based on time-frequency characteristics of Lamb waves.

Existing stress evaluation methods based on the Lamb waves mainly use the time of flight (TOF) or velocity as the means of stress measurement. However, these two features used for stress measurement are sometimes insensitive to stress changes. Therefore, it is essential to explore other features that are potentially more sensitive to stress changes.

Introduction to the Meta-analysis method of functional magnetic resonance imaging research and the exploration of its application in the field of acupuncture.

In recent years, the number of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research in acupuncture grows increasingly. However, due to the differences in acupoint selection, acupuncture technique and sample size, the problems get more prominent in terms of the diverse results and the lack of common rules of acupuncture among researches. By taking the fMRI research for post-stroke motor dysfunction (PSMD) treated with acupuncture as the example, this paper introduces the fMRI Meta-analysis technology for integrating the relevant research results and extracting the common rules, namely image-based Meta-analysis (IBMA) and coordinate-based Meta-analysis (CBMA).

Holistic bursting cells store long-term memory in auditory cortex.

The sensory neocortex has been suggested to be a substrate for long-term memory storage, yet which exact single cells could be specific candidates underlying such long-term memory storage remained neither known nor visible for over a century. Here, using a combination of day-by-day two-photon Ca imaging and targeted single-cell loose-patch recording in an auditory associative learning paradigm with composite sounds in male mice, we reveal sparsely distributed neurons in layer 2/3 of auditory cortex emerged step-wise from quiescence into bursting mode, which then invariably expressed holistic information of the learned composite sounds, referred to as holistic bursting (HB) cells. Notably, it was not shuffled populations but the same sparse HB cells that embodied the behavioral relevance of the learned composite sounds, pinpointing HB cells as physiologically-defined single-cell candidates of an engram underlying long-term memory storage in auditory cortex.

Autofluorescence spectral analysis for detecting urinary stone composition in emulated intraoperative ambient.

The prevalence and disease burden of urolithiasis has increased substantially worldwide in the last decade, and intraluminal holmium laser lithotripsy has become the primary treatment method. However, inappropriate laser energy settings increase the risk of perioperative complications, largely due to the lack of intraoperative information on the stone composition, which determines the stone melting point. To address this issue, we developed a fiber-based fluorescence spectrometry method that detects and classifies the autofluorescence spectral fingerprints of urinary stones into three categories: calcium oxalate, uric acid, and struvite.

Rabies virus-based labeling of layer 6 corticothalamic neurons for two-photon imaging .

Neocortical layer 6 (L6) is less understood than other more superficial layers, largely owing to limitations of performing high-resolution investigations . Here, we show that labeling with the Challenge Virus Standard (CVS) rabies virus strain enables high-quality imaging of L6 neurons by conventional two-photon microscopes. CVS virus injection into the medial geniculate body can selectively label L6 neurons in the auditory cortex.

Ten-kilohertz two-photon microscopy imaging of single-cell dendritic activity and hemodynamics .

Significance: The studying of rapid neuronal signaling across large spatial scales in intact, living brains requires both high temporal resolution and versatility of the measurement device.

Aim: We introduce a high-speed two-photon microscope based on a custom-built acousto-optic deflector (AOD). This microscope has a maximum line scan frequency of 400 kHz and a maximum frame rate of 10,000 frames per second (fps) at .

NeuroSeg-II: A deep learning approach for generalized neuron segmentation in two-photon Ca imaging.

The development of two-photon microscopy and Ca indicators has enabled the recording of multiscale neuronal activities and thus advanced the understanding of brain functions. However, it is challenging to perform automatic, accurate, and generalized neuron segmentation when processing a large amount of imaging data. Here, we propose a novel deep-learning-based neural network, termed as NeuroSeg-II, to conduct automatic neuron segmentation for two-photon Ca imaging data.

Daily two-photon neuronal population imaging with targeted single-cell electrophysiology and subcellular imaging in auditory cortex of behaving mice.

Quantitative and mechanistic understanding of learning and long-term memory at the level of single neurons in living brains require highly demanding techniques. A specific need is to precisely label one cell whose firing output property is pinpointed amidst a functionally characterized large population of neurons through the learning process and then investigate the distribution and properties of dendritic inputs. Here, we disseminate an integrated method of daily two-photon neuronal population Ca imaging through an auditory associative learning course, followed by targeted single-cell loose-patch recording and electroporation of plasmid for enhanced chronic Ca imaging of dendritic spines in the targeted cell.

A corticostriatal projection for sound-evoked and anticipatory motor behavior following temporal expectation.

The ability to form predictions based on recent sensory experience is essential for behavioral adaptation to our ever-changing environment. Predictive encoding represented by neuronal activity has been observed in sensory cortex, but how this neuronal activity is transformed into anticipatory motor behavior remains unclear. Fiber photometry to investigate a corticostriatal projection from the auditory cortex to the posterior striatum during an auditory paradigm in mice, and pharmacological experiments in a task that induces a temporal expectation of upcoming sensory stimuli.

Astrocytes exhibit diverse Ca changes at subcellular domains during brain aging.

Astrocytic Ca transients are essential for astrocyte integration into neural circuits. These Ca transients are primarily sequestered in subcellular domains, including primary branches, branchlets and leaflets, and endfeet. In previous studies, it suggests that aging causes functional defects in astrocytes.

REM sleep-active hypothalamic neurons may contribute to hippocampal social-memory consolidation.

The hippocampal CA2 region plays a key role in social memory. The encoding of such memory involves afferent activity from the hypothalamic supramammillary nucleus (SuM) to CA2. However, the neuronal circuits required for consolidation of freshly encoded social memory remain unknown.

Optical Fiber-Based Recording of Climbing Fiber Ca Signals in Freely Behaving Mice.

The olivocerebellar circuitry is important to convey both motor and non-motor information from the inferior olive (IO) to the cerebellar cortex. Several methods are currently established to observe the dynamics of the olivocerebellar circuitry, largely by recording the complex spike activity of cerebellar Purkinje cells; however, these techniques can be technically challenging to apply in vivo and are not always possible in freely behaving animals. Here, we developed a method for the direct, accessible, and robust recording of climbing fiber (CF) Ca signals based on optical fiber photometry.

Fast and Accurate Motion Correction for Two-Photon Ca Imaging in Behaving Mice.

Two-photon Ca imaging is a widely used technique for investigating brain functions across multiple spatial scales. However, the recording of neuronal activities is affected by movement of the brain during tasks in which the animal is behaving normally. Although post-hoc image registration is the commonly used approach, the recent developments of online neuroscience experiments require real-time image processing with efficient motion correction performance, posing new challenges in neuroinformatics.

Brain-wide projection reconstruction of single functionally defined neurons.

Reconstructing axonal projections of single neurons at the whole-brain level is currently a converging goal of the neuroscience community that is fundamental for understanding the logic of information flow in the brain. Thousands of single neurons from different brain regions have recently been morphologically reconstructed, but the corresponding physiological functional features of these reconstructed neurons are unclear. By combining two-photon Ca imaging with targeted single-cell plasmid electroporation, we reconstruct the brain-wide morphologies of single neurons that are defined by a sound-evoked response map in the auditory cortices (AUDs) of awake mice.

Recurrent moderate hypoglycemia accelerates the progression of Alzheimer's disease through impairment of the TRPC6/GLUT3 pathway.

Currently, the most effective strategy for dealing with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is delaying the onset of dementia. Severe hypoglycemia is strongly associated with dementia; however, the effects of recurrent moderate hypoglycemia (RH) on the progression of cognitive deficits in patients with diabetes with genetic susceptibility to AD remain unclear. Here, we report that insulin-controlled hyperglycemia slightly aggravated AD-type pathologies and cognitive impairment; however, RH significantly increased neuronal hyperactivity and accelerated the progression of cognitive deficits in streptozotocin-induced (STZ-induced) diabetic APP/PS1 mice.

Non-invasive, opsin-free mid-infrared modulation activates cortical neurons and accelerates associative learning.

Neurostimulant drugs or magnetic/electrical stimulation techniques can overcome attention deficits, but these drugs or techniques are weakly beneficial in boosting the learning capabilities of healthy subjects. Here, we report a stimulation technique, mid-infrared modulation (MIM), that delivers mid-infrared light energy through the opened skull or even non-invasively through a thinned intact skull and can activate brain neurons in vivo without introducing any exogeneous gene. Using c-Fos immunohistochemistry, in vivo single-cell electrophysiology and two-photon Ca imaging in mice, we demonstrate that MIM significantly induces firing activities of neurons in the targeted cortical area.

Restoration of Two-Photon Ca Imaging Data Through Model Blind Spatiotemporal Filtering.

Two-photon Ca imaging is a leading technique for recording neuronal activities with cellular or subcellular resolution. However, during experiments, the images often suffer from corruption due to complex noises. Therefore, the analysis of Ca imaging data requires preprocessing steps, such as denoising, to extract biologically relevant information.

Cathodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over the Right Temporoparietal Junction Suppresses Its Functional Connectivity and Reduces Contralateral Spatial and Temporal Perception.

The temporoparietal junction plays key roles in vestibular function, motor-sensory ability, and attitude stability. Conventional approaches to studying the temporoparietal junction have drawbacks, and previous studies have focused on self-motion rather than on vestibular spatial perception. Using transcranial direct current stimulation, we explored the temporoparietal junction's effects on vestibular-guided orientation for self-motion and vestibular spatial perception.

Low-glucose-sensitive TRPC6 dysfunction drives hypoglycemia-induced cognitive impairment in diabetes.

Background: Recurrent moderate hypoglycemia (RH), a major adverse effect of hypoglycemic therapy in diabetic patients, is one of the main risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia. Transient receptor potential canonical channel 6 (TRPC6) is a potential therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its expression is highly regulated by glucose concentration.

Objective: To investigate whether RH regulates the expression of TRPC6 in brain and whether TRPC6 dysfunction can drive hypoglycemia-associated cognitive impairment in diabetes, and reveal the underlying mechanism.