Single unit electrophysiology recordings and computational modeling can predict octopus arm movement.

The octopus simplified nervous system holds the potential to reveal principles of motor circuits and improve brain-machine interface devices through computational modeling with machine learning and statistical analysis. Here, an array of carbon electrodes providing single-unit electrophysiology recordings were implanted into the octopus anterior nerve cord. The number of spikes and arm movements in response to stimulation at different locations along the arm were recorded.

Free Radicals in Little Cigar Mainstream Smoke and the Potential Influence of Flavoring Chemicals on Free Radical Production.

Implementation of the Tobacco Control Act in 2009 banned characterizing flavors in cigarettes (except menthol and tobacco), but substitution has occurred by the continued availability of alternative flavored products (i.e., flavored little cigars).

Intracellular neural control of an active feeding structure in Aplysia using a carbon fiber electrode array.

Background: To study neural control of behavior, intracellular recording and stimulation of many neurons in freely moving animals would be ideal. However, current technologies limit the number of neurons that can be monitored and manipulated. A new technology has become available for intracellular recording and stimulation which we demonstrate in the tractable nervous system of Aplysia.

Fabrication and Validation of Sub-Cellular Carbon Fiber Electrodes.

Multielectrode arrays for interfacing with neurons are of great interest for a wide range of medical applications. However, current electrodes cause damage over time. Ultra small carbon fibers help to address issues but controlling the electrode site geometry is difficult.

A Wireless Neural Stimulator IC for Cortical Visual Prosthesis.

We propose a 0.25 × 0.25 × 0.

Sex Differences in Dopamine Release in Nucleus Accumbens and Dorsal Striatum Determined by Chronic Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry: Effects of social housing and repeated stimulation.

We investigated sex differences in dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and dorsolateral striatum (DLS) using a chronic 16-channel carbon fiber electrode and fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV). Electrical stimulation (ES; 60Hz) induced DA release was recorded in the NAc of single or pair-housed male and female rats. When core (NAcC) and shell (NAcS) were recorded simultaneously, there was greater ES DA release in NAcC of pair-housed females compared with single females and males.

Nicotine Delivery of a Menthol-Flavored Heat-not-Burn Tobacco Product During Directed Use.

Introduction: IQOS was authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a modified-risk tobacco product.

Automated assembly of high-density carbon fiber electrode arrays for single unit electrophysiological recordings.

Carbon fiber (CF) is good for chronic neural recording due to the small diameter (7m), high Young's modulus, and low electrical resistance, but most high-density carbon fiber (HDCF) arrays are manually assembled with labor-intensive procedures and limited by the accuracy and repeatability of the operator handling. A machine to automate the assembly is desired.The HDCF array assembly machine contains: (1) a roller-based CF extruder, (2) a motion system with three linear and one rotary stages, (3) an imaging system with two digital microscope cameras, and (4) a laser cutter.

Tobacco Nitrate and Free Radical Levels in the Mainstream Smoke of US Cigarette Brands.

Tobacco nitrate levels have been known to impact the levels of toxicants such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons and tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) produced during smoking. Recent work in our group showed that the intrinsic nitrate levels in individual tobacco varieties also have a large influence on the formation of gas-phase (GP) free radicals in the mainstream smoke of cigarettes produced with a single tobacco variety. As tobacco nitrate content is a potential target for future regulatory policies, we investigated whether the levels of GP free radicals in the smoke from commercially available cigarettes is also dependent on the nitrate content in the corresponding tobacco blends.

Early prenatal and late prenatal escitalopram exposure differentially impacts behavioral flexibility and anxiety-related behaviors in adulthood.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are medications commonly used by pregnant women. While SSRIs have been considered safe during pregnancy, there is limited understanding of the long-term consequences of prenatal SSRI exposure on adult behavioral processes. Recent human studies have demonstrated prenatal exposure to some SSRIs in humans may increase susceptibility to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental delays.

Dietary Methionine and Total Sulfur Amino Acid Restriction in Healthy Adults.

Objectives: Dietary restriction of methionine (Met) and cysteine (Cys) delays the aging process and aging-related diseases, improves glucose and fat metabolism and reduces oxidative stress in numerous laboratory animal models. Little is known regarding the effects of sulfur amino acid restriction in humans. Thus, our objectives were to determine the impact of feeding diets restricted in Met alone (MetR) or in both Met and Cys (total sulfur amino acids, SAAR) to healthy adults on relevant biomarkers of cardiometabolic disease risk.

Genetic Factors Associated with Absolute and Relative Plasma Concentrations of Calcitriol.

Background: Little is known regarding factors associated with calcitriol and a relative measure of calcitriol, the calcitriol-24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-calcifediol proportion ratio (C24CPR).

Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, healthy young adults of African and European descent, matched (1:1) on age (±5 years) provided a blood sample in non-summer months (N = 376). Vitamin D metabolites were measured in plasma with HPLC/MS-MS.

Cumulative Consumption of Sulfur Amino Acids and Risk of Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Cross-sectional studies have suggested that consumption of sulfur amino acids (SAAs), including methionine and cysteine, is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in humans and with T2D-related biomarkers in animals. But whether higher long-term SAA intake increases the risk of T2D in humans remains unknown.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association between long-term dietary SAA intake and risk of T2D.