Automated data processing of [1H-decoupled] 13C MR spectra acquired from human brain in vivo

In clinical 13C infusion studies, broadband excitation of 200 ppm of the human brain yields 13C MR spectra with a time resolution of 2-5 min and generates up to 2000 metabolite peaks over 2h. We describe a fast, automated, observer-independent technique for processing [1H-decoupled] 13C spectra. Quantified 13C spectroscopic signals, before and after the administration of [1-13C]glucose and/or [1-13C]acetate in human subjects are determined. Stepwise improvements of data processing are illustrated by examples of normal and pathological results. Variation in analysis of individual 13C resonances ranged between 2 and 14%. Using this method it is possible to reliably identify subtle metabolic effects of brain disease including Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy.     

A new application of scanning electrochemical microscopy for the label-free interrogation of antibody-antigen interactions

Within this work we present a ‘proof of principle’ study for the use of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to detect and image biomolecular interactions in a label-free assay as a potential alternative to current fluorescence techniques. Screen-printed carbon electrodes were used as the substrate for the deposition of a dotted array, where the dots consist of biotinylated polyethyleneimine. These were then further derivatised, first with neutravidin and then with a biotinylated antibody to the protein neuron specific enolase (NSE). SECM using a ferrocene carboxylic acid mediator showed clear differences between the array and the surrounding unmodified carbon. Imaging of the arrays before and following exposure to various concentrations of the antigen showed clear evidence for specific binding of the NSE antigen to the antibody derivatised dots. Non-specific binding was quantified. Control experiments with other proteins showed only non-specific binding across the whole of the substrate, thereby confirming that specific binding does occur between the antibody and antigen at the surface of the dots. Binding of the antigen was accompanied by a measured increase in current response, which may be explained in terms of protein electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic interactions to the mediator, thereby increasing the localised mediator flux. A calibration curve was obtained between 500 fg mL⁻¹ to 200 pg mL⁻¹ NSE which demonstrated a logarithmic relationship between the current change upon binding and antigen concentration without the need for any labelling of the substrate.     

Maltol as a Novel Agent Protecting SH-SY5Y Cells Against Hemin-induced Ferroptosis

Ferroptosis triggered by hemin is regarded as a primary factor accounting for neuronal death secondary to intracerebral hemorrhage. Thus, compounds with inhibitory effect on hemin-induced ferroptosis might be potential medicines to prevent neuronal death caused by intracerebral hemorrhage. Herein, we investigate whether maltol could alleviate hemin-induced SH-SY5Y cell ferroptosis and its potential mechanisms. It is found that maltol effectively prevents hemin-induced SH-SY5Y cell ferroptosis via three pathways. The first one is inhibiting intracellular iron increase via preventing upregulation of transferrin receptor, the second one is alleviating lipid peroxidation via attenuating H₂O₂ generation by NOX4 and promoting H₂O₂ clearance by catalase, and the third one is to reduce peroxidized lipids via maintaining GPX4/GSH pathway. Therefore, maltol is a novel agent preventing hemin-induced SH-SY5Y cell ferroptosis.     

基于神经元电响应的人体热舒适性评价理论

本文提出一种利用神经元电响应频率定量评价人体热舒适性的理论方法和准则。利用Hodgkin-Huxley方程和Pennes生物传热方程描述皮下神经元在瞬态温度场下的电响应特性,并研究了环境温度、对流换热系数,血液灌注率和组织导热率等参数对它的影响,结果表明神经元动作电位频率在等效温度发生0.1℃时就会发生明显变化,可以组合多个环境和热物性参数评价人体热舒适性。     

Spiking patterns of a minimal neuron to ELF sinusoidal electric field

Neuron as the main information carrier in neural systems is able to generate diverse spiking trains in response to different stimuli. Neuronal spiking patterns are related to the information processing in neural system. This paper investigates the dynamical behaviors of a two-dimensional minimal neuron model exposed to externally-applied extremely low frequency (ELF) sinusoidal electric field (EF). By numerical stimulation, it is found that neuron can exhibit different spiking patterns such as p:q mode-locking (i.e. a periodic oscillation defined as p action potentials generated by q cycle stimulations) and chaotic behaviors, depending on the values of stimulus frequencies. Transitions between different spiking patterns during exposure to the external EF are explored by interspike intervals (ISIs) and average firing rate. It is found that frequencies of the external EF can act as a bifurcation parameter, whose small change can cause the transition in neuronal behaviors. It is shown that a rich bifurcation structure including period-adding without chaos and mode-locking alternated with chaos suggests frequency discrimination of the neuronal firing patterns. Our results can provide a useful insight into the organization of similar bifurcation structures in excitable systems such as neurons under periodic forcing. Through detail analysis of the spiking patterns, we have explained how neuron’s information (spiking patterns) encodes the stimulus information (frequency), and vice versa.     

同步辐射X射线成像技术在脑成像研究中的应用

脑疾病的诊疗、 探索高级脑功能机制和理解意识本源对脑科学研究具有重要意义. 成像技术在阐明脑科学神经系统结构和功能中发挥了重要作用. 迄今, 核磁共振成像、 光学成像和电子显微镜成像技术已为脑科学研究提供了强有力的手段, 取得了突出的进展. 同步辐射X射线显微成像技术具有高分辨率、 快成像速度和高穿透深度等优点, 是一类与已有技术互补的新型脑成像技术. 本文介绍了核磁共振波谱、 光学显微镜和电子显微镜等成像方法在脑成像领域中的应用, 重点阐述了同步辐射X射线成像的优势以及在脑结构成像和功能成像中的应用. 在此基础上, 展望了同步辐射X射线成像应用于脑科学研究的未来发展方向, 讨论了该技术在绘制人脑联接图谱中的优势及可行性.     

Global dynamics of diffusive Hindmarsh–Rose equations with memristors

Global dynamics of the diffusive Hindmarsh–Rose equations with memristors as a new proposed model for neuron dynamics are investigated in this paper. We prove the existence and regularity of a global attractor for the solution semiflow through uniform analytic estimates showing the higher-order dissipative property and the asymptotically compact characteristics of the solutions by the approach of Kolmogorov–Riesz theorem. The quantitative bounds of the regions containing this global attractor respectively in the state space and in the regular space are explicitly expressed by the model parameters.     

AAM机理对一类神经元混沌的控制作用

利用在混沌控制中, AAM机理既不需要对体系的状况有太多了解、也不需要借助于外加信号的作用这个优点,来对一类神经元混沌模型进行混沌控制。通过调整自适应参数γ的值,得到一系列对应的控制混沌轨道。