Automated segmentation by deep learning of loose connective tissue fibers to define safe dissection planes in robot-assisted gastrectomy.

The prediction of anatomical structures within the surgical field by artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to support surgeons' experience and cognitive skills. We aimed to develop a deep-learning model to automatically segment loose connective tissue fibers (LCTFs) that define a safe dissection plane. The annotation was performed on video frames capturing a robot-assisted gastrectomy performed by trained surgeons.

Inhibition of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 through α adrenergic receptors at peripheral nerve terminals relieves pain.

The activation of α adrenergic receptors contributes to analgesia not only in the central nervous system but also in the peripheral nervous system. We reported that noradrenaline inhibits the activity of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) evoked by capsaicin through α receptors in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. However, it is unclear whether activation of TRPV1 expressed in peripheral nerve terminals is inhibited by α receptors and whether this phenomenon contributes to analgesia.

Mechanisms of GABA-mediated inhibition of the angiotensin II-induced cytosolic Ca increase in rat subfornical organ neurons.

Neurons in the subfornical organ (SFO) sense both neurotransmitters and circulating humoral factors such as angiotensin II (AII) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and regulate multiple physiological functions including drinking behavior. We recently reported that AII at nanomolar concentrations induced a persistent [Ca] increase in acutely dissociated SFO neurons and that this effect of AII was reversibly inhibited by GABA. In the present study, we studied the inhibitory mechanism of GABA using Ca imaging and patch-clamp electrophysiology.

Persistent cytosolic Ca increase induced by angiotensin II at nanomolar concentrations in acutely dissociated subfornical organ (SFO) neurons of rats.

It is known that angiotensin II (AII) is sensed by subfornical organ (SFO) to induce drinking behaviors and autonomic changes. AII at picomolar concentrations have been shown to induce Ca oscillations and increase in the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous Ca oscillations in SFO neurons. The present study was conducted to examine effects of nanomolar concentrations of AII using the Fura-2 Ca-imaging technique in acutely dissociated SFO neurons.

Persistent Na influx drives L-type channel resting Ca entry in rat melanotrophs.

Rat melanotrophs express several types of voltage-gated and ligand-gated calcium channels, although mechanisms involved in the maintenance of the resting intracellular Ca concentration ([Ca]) remain unknown. We analyzed mechanisms regulating resting [Ca] in dissociated rat melanotrophs by Ca-imaging and patch-clamp techniques. Treatment with antagonists of L-type, but not N- or P/Q-type voltage-gated Ca channels (VGCCs) as well as removal of extracellular Ca resulted in a rapid and reversible decrease in [Ca], indicating constitutive Ca influx through L-type VGCCs.

The precursor osteoblast-like cell, MC3T3-E1 cell line, enhances sodium-calcium exchanger 1 (Ncx1) gene expression by stretch stimuli prior to osteoblast differentiation.

This study evaluated the expression of genes involved in the concentration of Ca in precursor osteoblast-like cell, MC3T3-E1 subjected to stretching stimuli. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (Trpv4) gene expression, the factor that is activated by stretch stimulation and enables inflow of Ca from the extracellular space, was not affected as a result of stretch stimulation; conversely, the expression of sodium-calcium exchanger 1 (Ncx1) gene involved in outflow of intracellular Ca increased, depending on stimulation intensity. Localization of Ca correlated with the positioning of the endoplasmic reticulum, and intracellular Ca decreased in inverse proportion to the intensity of the stretching force.

The cytosolic Ca concentration in acutely dissociated subfornical organ (SFO) neurons of rats: Spontaneous Ca oscillations and Ca oscillations induced by picomolar concentrations of angiotensin II.

Characteristics of subfornical organ (SFO) neurons were examined by measuring the cytosolic Ca concentration ([Ca]) in acutely dissociated neurons of the rat. SFO neurons, defined by the responsiveness to 50 mM K (n = 67) responded to glutamate (86%), angiotensin II (AII) (50%), arginine vasopressin (AVP) (66%) and/or carbachol (CCh) (61%), at their maximal concentrations, with marked increases in [Ca]. More than a half (174/307) of SFO neurons examined exhibited spontaneous Ca oscillations, while the remainder showed a relatively stable baseline under unstimulated conditions.

Constitutive activity of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 triggers spontaneous firing in nerve growth factor-treated dorsal root ganglion neurons of rats.

Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons cultured in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF, 100 ng/ml) often show a spontaneous action potential. Underlying mechanisms of this spontaneous firing were examined using the patch clamp technique. The spontaneous firing in the on-cell configuration was abolished by a decrease in the Na concentration and by the TRPV1 antagonists capsazepine (10 μM) and BCTC (1 μM).

Neuron-like cells in the chick spinal accessory lobe express neuronal-type voltage-gated sodium channels.

Ten pairs of protrusions, called accessory lobes (ALs), exist at the lateral sides of the avian lumbosacral spinal cord. Histological evidence indicates that neuron-like cells gather in the ALs, and behavioral evidence suggests that the ALs act as a sensory organ of equilibrium during bipedal walking. Recently, using an electrophysiological method, we reported that cells showing Na currents and action potentials exist among cells that were dissociated from the ALs.

Adrenergic receptors inhibit TRPV1 activity in the dorsal root ganglion neurons of rats.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) is a polymodal receptor channel that responds to multiple types of stimuli, such as heat, acid, mechanical pressure and some vanilloids. Capsaicin is the most commonly used vanilloid to stimulate TRPV1. TRPV1 channels are expressed in dorsal root ganglion neurons that extend to Aδ- and C-fibers and have a role in the transduction of noxious inputs to the skin into the electrical signals of the sensory nerve.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of fluorescence solvatochromism of dialkoxyphenyl-pyrene molecules.

We investigated the fluorescence properties of dialkoxyphenyl-pyrene molecules experimentally as well as theoretically. Our experiments confirmed fluorescence solvatochromism in 2,5-dimethoxyphenyl-pyrene and, in contrast there was no significant solvent-effect on the emission properties of the isomers, 3,5- and 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl-pyrene. This clear difference in the solvent-dependence would reflect the difference in character of the excited-state between the isomers, which differ only in the substitution positions of the two methoxy groups.

Serotonin hormonally regulates lacrimal gland secretory function via the serotonin type 3a receptor.

Tears are extracellular fluid secreted from the lacrimal gland (LG). Tears consist of a dynamic tri-layered film composed of secretions from the LG, Meibomian gland, and conjunctival goblet cells. The LG secretes the aqueous component of the tear, the Meibomian gland secretes the lipid component, and conjunctival goblet cells secrete mucin.

Combination of serum phosphorylated neurofilament heavy subunit and hyperintensity of intramedullary T2W on magnetic resonance imaging provides better prognostic value of canine thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of concurrent measurement of serum phosphorylated neurofilament heavy subunit (pNF-H) concentration and intramedullary T2W hyperintensity in paraplegic to paraplegic dogs. Our hypothesis was that concurrent measurement of these would provide a more accurate prediction of functional outcome in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH). A prospective case-control clinical study was designed using 94 dogs with acute onset of thoracolumbar IVDH.

Activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors elevates intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations in accessory lobe neurons of the chick.

Accessory lobes are protrusions located at the lateral sides of the spinal cord of chicks and it has been proposed that they play a role as a sensory organ for equilibrium during walking. We have reported that functional neurons exist in the accessory lobe. As there is histological evidence that synaptic terminals of cholinergic nerves exist near the somata of accessory lobe neurons, we examined the effects of acetylcholine on changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i), as an index of cellular activities.

Full-length transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 channels mediate calcium signals and possibly contribute to osmoreception in vasopressin neurones in the rat supraoptic nucleus.

Neurones in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus possess intrinsic osmosensing mechanisms, which are lost in transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (Trpv1)-knock-out mice. The molecular nature of the osmosensory mechanism in SON neurones is believed to be associated with the N-terminal splice variant of Trpv1, although their entire molecular structures have not been hitherto identified. In this study, we sought for TRPV1-related molecules and their function in the rat SON.

Analysis of G-protein-activated inward rectifying K(+) (GIRK) channel currents upon GABAB receptor activation in rat supraoptic neurons.

While magnocellular neurons in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) possess rich Gi/o-mediated mechanisms, molecular and cellular properties of G-protein-activated inwardly rectifying K(+) (GIRK) channels have been controversial. Here, properties of GIRK channels are examined by RT-PCR and whole-cell patch-clamp techniques in rat SON neurons. Patch clamp experiments showed that the selective GABAB agonist, baclofen, enhanced currents in a high K(+) condition.

Oral administration of royal jelly restores tear secretion capacity in rat blink-suppressed dry eye model by modulating lacrimal gland function.

Tears are secreted from the lacrimal gland (LG), a dysfunction in which induces dry eye, resulting in ocular discomfort and visual impairment. Honey bee products are used as a nutritional source in daily life and medicine; however, little is known about their effects on dry eye. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of honey bee products on tear secretion capacity in dry eye.

Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in accessory lobe neurons of the chick.

Birds have ten pairs of protrusions, "accessory lobes", on the lateral sides of the lumbosacral spinal cord. It has been proposed that accessory lobes act as a sensory organ of equilibrium and neurons in accessory lobes transmit sensory information to the motor center. We have reported that cells in chick accessory lobes express functional voltage-gated Na(+) and K(+) channels and generate action potentials.

Gymnopilins, a product of a hallucinogenic mushroom, inhibit the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Gymnopilins are substances produced in fruiting bodies of the hallucinogenic mushroom, Gymnopilus junonius. Although, only a few biological effects of gymnopilins on animal tissues have been reported, it is believed that gymnopilins are a key factor of the G. junonius poisoning.

Chronic NGF treatment induces somatic hyperexcitability in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons of the rat.

Adult rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons cultured in the presence of 100-ng/mL NGF were reported to show spontaneous action potentials in the cell-attached recording. In this study, underlying mechanisms were examined in the whole-cell and outside-out voltage clamp recording. In 75% neurons with on-cell firing, transient inward current spikes were repetitively recorded in the voltage clamp mode at -50 mV in the whole-cell configuration (named "Isp").

Glutamate evokes firing through activation of kainate receptors in chick accessory lobe neurons.

Ten pairs of protrusions, called accessory lobes (ALs), exist at the lateral sides of avian lumbosacral spinal cords. Histological and behavioral evidence suggests that neurons are present in ALs and the AL acts as a sensory organ of equilibrium during walking. Neurons in the outer layer of the AL consistently show glutamate-like immunoreactivity and neurons in the central region of the AL show glutamate receptor-like immunoreactivity.

Vasopressin-induced intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration responses in non-neuronal cells of the rat dorsal root ganglion.

Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is a nonapeptide of hypothalamic origin that has been shown to exert many important cognitive and physiological functions in neurons and terminals of both the central and peripheral nervous system (CNS and PNS). Here we report for the first time that AVP induced an increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺](i)) in non-neuronal cells isolated from the rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and cultured in vitro. The ratiometric [Ca²⁺](i) measurements showed that AVP evoked [Ca²⁺](i) responses in the non-neuronal cells and these concentration-dependent (100 pM to 1 μM) responses increased with days in vitro in culture, reaching a maximum amplitude after 4-5 day.

Multiple effects of gymnopilin on circulatory system of the rat.

Gymnopilin is one of the substances produced by the hallucinogenic mushroom, Gymnopilus junonius. In this study, we examined effects of gymnopilins purified from wild fruiting bodies of G. junonius on contractile activity of aorta preparations and blood pressure in rats.

Ca2+ channel currents in dorsal root ganglion neurons of P/Q-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel mutant mouse, rolling mouse Nagoya.

The role of the P/Q-type voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels (VGCCs) in release of neurotransmitters involved in nociception is not fully understood. Rolling mouse Nagoya (tg(rol)), a P/Q-type channel mutant mouse, expresses P/Q-type VGCC whose activation curve has a higher half activation potential and a smaller slope factor than the wild type channel. We previously reported that tg(rol) mice showed hypoalgesic responses to noxious stimuli.

Gymnopilin--a substance produced by the hallucinogenic mushroom, Gymnopilus junonius--mobilizes intracellular Ca(2+) in dorsal root ganglion cells.

Gymnopilus junonius is a widely spread mushroom in Japan and well known as a hallucinogenic mushroom. Gymnopilin was purified from the fruiting body of G. junonius and was reported to act on the spinal cord and depolarize motoneurons.