Decoding multi-limb movements from two-photon calcium imaging of neuronal activity using deep learning.

Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) aim to restore sensorimotor function to individuals suffering from neural injury and disease. A critical step in implementing a BMI is to decode movement intention from recorded neural activity patterns in sensorimotor areas. Optical imaging, including two-photon (2p) calcium imaging, is an attractive approach for recording large-scale neural activity with high spatial resolution using a minimally-invasive technique.

Protocol for recording neural activity evoked by electrical stimulation in mice using two-photon calcium imaging.

Electrical stimulation provides a clinically viable approach for treating neurological disorders. Here, we present a protocol for recording neural activity evoked by electrical stimulation in mice using two-photon calcium imaging. We detail steps for chronically implanting a head fixation bar, a stimulating electrode, and a glass imaging window.

Natural disasters, foreign direct investment, and women's rights in developing countries.

We examine the conditions under which women's economic and political status is less vulnerable in the aftermath of natural disasters. We theorize that women in natural disaster-hit countries that receive higher levels of foreign direct investment (FDI) are less susceptible to the gendered impacts of those disasters. Since FDI is vital to post-disaster economic recovery, countries grappling with natural disasters are motivated to uphold women's rights as a strategy to attract FDI.

Effects of sevoflurane on metalloproteinase and natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) ligand expression and natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity in breast cancer: an in vitro study.

Background: We investigated the effects of sevoflurane exposure on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), expression and ablation of natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) ligands (UL16-binding proteins 1-3 and major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related molecules A/B), and natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells.

Methods: Three human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-453, and HCC-70) were incubated with 0 (control), 600 (S6), or 1200 μM (S12) sevoflurane for 4 h. The gene expression of NKG2D ligands and their protein expression on cancer cell surfaces were measured using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and flow cytometry, respectively.

TMI-1, TNF-α-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor, Protects Against Paclitaxel-Induced Neurotoxicity in the DRG Neuronal Cells .

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) negatively impacts cancer survivors' quality of life and is challenging to treat with existing drugs for neuropathic pain. TNF-α is known to potentiate TRPV1 activity, which contributes to CIPN. Here, we assessed the role of TMI-1, a TNF-α-converting enzyme inhibitor, in paclitaxel (PAC)-induced neurotoxicity in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells.

Artificial intelligence-based nomogram for small-incision lenticule extraction.

Background: Small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) is a surgical procedure for the refractive correction of myopia and astigmatism, which has been reported as safe and effective. However, over- and under-correction still occur after SMILE. The necessity of nomograms is emphasized to achieve optimal refractive results.

Inhibitory effect of putranjivain A on allergic inflammation through suppression of mast cell activation.

A great number of people are suffering from allergic inflammatory disease such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and sinusitis. Therefore discovery of drugs for the treatment of these diseases is an important subject in human health. Putranjivain A (PJA), member of ellagitannin, is known to possess beneficial effects including anti-cancer and anti-viral activities.

Suppression of mast-cell-mediated allergic inflammation by Lindera obtusiloba.

Allergic disease is a consequence of exposure to normally innocuous substances that elicit the activation of mast cells. Mast-cell-mediated allergic response is involved in many diseases such as anaphylaxis, allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis. The discovery of drugs for the treatment of allergic disease is an important subject in human health.

Morphological control of CaCO3 films with large area: effect of additives and self-organization under atmospheric conditions.

Hierarchically structured CaCO(3) films were synthesized at atmospheric conditions (room temperature and 1 atm) without the use of templates or amphiphilic molecules in this process. The resulting CaCO(3) film was formed by self-organization between Ca(OH)(2) and aqueous CO(2). The building blocks of the CaCO(3) film were thought to be CaCO(3) primary nanoparticles that aligned to build higher level structures with greater size, called mesocrystals, depending on the additives.

1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-beta-D-allopyranose gallotannin isolated, from Euphorbia jolkini, attenuates LPS-induced nitric oxide production in macrophages.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a pleiotropic regulator, critical to numerous biological processes, including vasodilatation and macrophage-mediated immunity. Macrophages express inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and produce NO after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Gallotannins are water-soluble polyphenols with wide-ranging biological activities.

Anti-allergic inflammatory activity of the fruit of Prunus persica: role of calcium and NF-kappaB.

Mast cell-mediated allergic symptoms are involved in many diseases, such as asthma and sinusitis. In this study, we investigated the effect of ethanol extract of fruits of Prunus persica (L) Batsch (FPP) on the mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation and studied the possible mechanism of action. FPP dose-dependently inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis and immunoglobulin E-mediated local allergic reactions.

Clinopodium gracile inhibits mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation: involvement of calcium and nuclear factor-kappaB.

Mast cell-mediated allergic disease is involved in many diseases such as anaphylaxis, rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis. The discovery of drugs for the treatment of allergic disease is an important subject in human health. In this study, we investigated the effect of the water extract of Clinopodium gracile Matsum var.

On carbon dioxide storage based on biomineralization strategies.

This study focuses on the separation and storage of the global warming greenhouse gas CO(2), and the use of natural biocatalysts in the development of technologies to improve CO(2) storage rates and provide new methods for CO(2) capture. Carbonic anhydrase (CA) has recently been used as a biocatalyst to sequester CO(2) through the conversion of CO(2) to HCO(-) in the mineralization of CaCO(3). Biomimetic CaCO(3) mineralization for carbon capture and storage offers potential as a stable CO(2) capture technology.

Toxic effects of mercuric sulfide on immune organs in mice.

Mercuric sulfide (HgS) is a major component of cinnabar, which has been used as a sedative drug in China for more than 2000 years. Because its toxicological effects are still unclear, we attempted to verify the toxic effects of HgS, focused on liver and immune organs such as the spleen and thymus. Male ICR mice were administered HgS (0.

Gallotannin isolated from Euphorbia species, 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-beta-D-allose, decreases nitric oxide production through inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa>B and downstream inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in macrophages.

Gallotannins are plant secondary metabolites and are widely included to polyphenolic compounds. Gallotannins are water-soluble polyphenols with wide-ranging biological activities. Nitric oxide (NO) is well known as a mediator of inflammation.

Anti-allergic effects of Teucrium japonicum on mast cell-mediated allergy model.

The mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reaction is involved in many allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. Stimulation of mast cells starts the process of degranulation resulting in release of mediators such as histamine and an array of inflammatory cytokines. In this report, we investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Teucrium japonicum Houttuyn (Labiatae) (AXTJ) on the mast cell-mediated allergy model and studied its possible mechanisms of action.

Flavonoids inhibit histamine release and expression of proinflammatory cytokines in mast cells.

Mast cells participate in allergy and inflammation by secreting inflammatory mediators such as histamine and proinflammatory cytokines. Flavonoids are naturally occurring molecules with antioxidant, cytoprotective, and antiinflammatory actions. However, effect of flavonoids on the release of histamine and proinflammatory mediator, and their comparative mechanism of action in mast cells were not well defined.