Large-volume and deep brain imaging in rabbits and monkeys using COMPACT two-photon microscopy.

In vivo imaging has been widely used for investigating the structure and function of neurons typically located within ~ 800 μm below the cortical surface. Due to light scattering and absorption, it has been difficult to perform in-vivo imaging of neurons in deep cortical and subcortical regions of large animals with two-photon microscopy. Here, we combined a thin-wall quartz capillary with a GRIN lens attached to a prism for large-volume structural and calcium imaging of neurons located 2 mm below the surface of rabbit and monkey brains.

Motor learning-induced new dendritic spines are preferentially involved in the learned task than existing spines.

Learning induces the formation of new synapses in addition to changes of existing synapse strength. However, it remains unclear whether new synapses serve different functions from existing synapses. By performing two-photon structural and Ca imaging of postsynaptic dendritic spines in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons, we show that new spine formation increases in the mouse motor cortex 8-24 h after motor training.

Neuropeptide S promotes maintenance of newly formed dendritic spines and performance improvement after motor learning in mice.

Neuropeptide S (NPS), an endogenous neuropeptide consisting of 20 amino acids, selectively binds and activates G protein-coupled receptor named neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR) to regulate a variety of physiological functions. NPS/NPSR system has been shown to play a pivotal role in regulating learning and memory in rodents. However, it remains unclear that how NPS/NPSR system affects neuronal functions and synaptic plasticity after learning.

Effect of hydrothermal carbonization on dewatering performance of dyeing sludge.

The effects of hydrothermal carbonization (hydrothermal carbonization temperature, hydrothermal carbonization time, pH) on the dehydration performance of dyeing sludge were studied. The specific resistance, viscosity and floccular morphology of sludge before and after hydrothermal carbonization were analyzed. The physical and chemical properties of the liquid were also determined.

Effects of Ketamine on Basal Gamma Band Oscillation and Sensory Gating in Prefrontal Cortex of Awake Rats.

Gamma band oscillation (GBO) and sensory gating (SG) are associated with many cognitive functions. Ketamine induces deficits of GBO and SG in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, the time-courses of the effects of different doses of ketamine on GBO power and SG are poorly understood.

Zirconium amine tris(phenolate): A more effective initiator for biomedical lactide.

Here a zirconium amine tris(phenolate) is used as the initiator for the production of polylactide for biomedical applications, as a replacement for a tin initiator (usually tin octanoate). The ring opening polymerization (ROP) was carried out in the melt at 130°C. The zirconium-catalyzed PLA (PLA-Zr) required 30min, resulting in a polydispersity index (PDI) of 1.

Functionalization of bone implants with nanodiamond particles and angiopoietin-1 to improve vascularization and bone regeneration.

One of the major challenges in bone tissue engineering is adequate vascularization within bone substituents for nutrients and oxygen supply. In this study, the production and results of a new, highly functional bone construct consisting of a commercial three-dimensional β-tricalcium phosphate scaffold (β-TCP, ChronOS®) and hydrophilic, functionalized nanodiamond (ND) particles are reported. A 30-fold increase in the active surface area of the ChronOS + ND scaffold was achieved after modification with ND.

Social correlates of the dominance rank and long-term cortisol levels in adolescent and adult male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).

A common pattern in dominance hierarchies is that some ranks result in higher levels of psychosocial stress than others. Such stress can lead to negative health outcomes, possibly through altered levels of stress hormones. The dominance rank-stress physiology relationship is known to vary between species; sometimes dominants show higher levels of glucocorticoid stress hormones, whereas in other cases subordinates show higher levels.

Preclinical animal study and human clinical trial data of co-electrospun poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) and fibrinogen mesh for anterior pelvic floor reconstruction.

Synthetic and biological materials are commonly used for pelvic floor reconstruction. In this study, host tissue response and biomechanical properties of mesh fabricated from co-electrospun poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) and fibrinogen (Fg) were compared with those of polypropylene mesh (PPM) in a canine abdominal defect model. Macroscopic, microscopic, histological, and biomechanical evaluations were performed over a 24-week period.

Biofunctionalization of scaffold material with nano-scaled diamond particles physisorbed with angiogenic factors enhances vessel growth after implantation.

Unlabelled: Biofunctionalized scaffold facilitates complete healing of large defects. Biological constraints are induction and ingrowth of vessels. Angiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor or angiopoietin-1 can be bound to nano-scaled diamond particles.

Novel superhydrophilic poly(l-lactic acid-co-ε-caprolactone)/fibrinogen electrospun patch for rat abdominal wall reconstruction.

A novel superhydrophilic hybrid scaffold was created by electrospinning a mixture of poly(l-lactic acid-co-ε-caprolactone) and formulated fibrinogen. The hybrid scaffolds possess the combined benefits of each individual component, such as moderate mechanical strength and excellent biocompatibility. In vitro studies also revealed that endothelial cells seeded on the hybrid scaffolds achieved a relatively high level of cell attachment after three days of culture and a significant increase in the proliferation rate after seven days of culture, compared with pure fibrinogen or poly(l-lactic acid-co-ε-caprolactone) scaffolds.

In vivo study of novelly formulated porcine-derived fibrinogen as an efficient sealant.

Fibrinogen has been used as surgical sealant in the clinical setting for decades. The application of human plasma-derived fibrinogen is limited due to high cost and the risk of prion and virus infection. We developed a novel arginine-formulated fibrinogen from cryoprecipitates of porcine plasma.

Release and bioactivity of bone morphogenetic protein-2 are affected by scaffold binding techniques in vitro and in vivo.

A low dose of 1μg rhBMP-2 was immobilised by four different functionalising techniques on recently developed poly(l-lactide)-co-(ε-caprolactone) [(poly(LLA-co-CL)] scaffolds. It was either (i) physisorbed on unmodified scaffolds [PHY], (ii) physisorbed onto scaffolds modified with nanodiamond particles [nDP-PHY], (iii) covalently linked onto nDPs that were used to modify the scaffolds [nDP-COV] or (iv) encapsulated in microspheres distributed on the scaffolds [MICS]. Release kinetics of BMP-2 from the different scaffolds was quantified using targeted mass spectrometry for up to 70days.

A functional MiR-124 binding-site polymorphism in IQGAP1 affects human cognitive performance.

As a product of the unique evolution of the human brain, human cognitive performance is largely a collection of heritable traits. Rather surprisingly, to date there have been no reported cases to highlight genes that underwent adaptive evolution in humans and which carry polymorphisms that have a marked effect on cognitive performance. IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1 (IQGAP1), a scaffold protein, affects learning and memory in a dose-dependent manner.

Biological effects of functionalizing copolymer scaffolds with nanodiamond particles.

Significant evidence has indicated that poly(L-lactide)-co-(ɛ-caprolactone) [(poly(LLA-co-CL)] scaffolds could be one of the suitable candidates for bone tissue engineering. Oxygen-terminated nanodiamond particles (n-DP) were combined with poly(LLA-co-CL) and revealed to be positive for cell growth. In this study, we evaluated the influence of poly(LLA-co-CL) scaffolds modified by n-DP on attachment, proliferation, differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in vitro, and on bone formation using a sheep calvarial defect model.

Surfactant-free poly(lactide-co-glycolide) honeycomb films for tissue engineering: relating solvent, monomer ratio and humidity to scaffold structure.

One-step surfactant-free, water-droplet templating has been developed as a fabrication method for a poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) film that can be used as a model to investigate the relationship between solvent, monomer ratio, polymer concentration and humidity on its structure. The resulting material is a honeycomb-structured film. Formation of this structure was highly sensitive to solvent, monomer ratio, polymer concentration and humidity.

Zileuton, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, increases production of thromboxane A2 and platelet aggregation in patients with asthma.

Leukotrienes, generated from arachidonic acid via the lipoxygenase pathway, play an important role in the pathophysiology of asthma. Therefore, leukotriene inhibitors, such as Zileuton, are used in the treatment of asthma. However, thromboxanes, generated from arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenase pathway, play an important role in platelet aggregation and thrombosis.