Sharing massive biomedical data at magnitudes lower bandwidth using implicit neural function.

Efficient storage and sharing of massive biomedical data would open up their wide accessibility to different institutions and disciplines. However, compressors tailored for natural photos/videos are rapidly limited for biomedical data, while emerging deep learning-based methods demand huge training data and are difficult to generalize. Here, we propose to conduct Biomedical data compRession with Implicit nEural Function (BRIEF) by representing the target data with compact neural networks, which are data specific and thus have no generalization issues. Benefiting from the strong representation capability of implicit neural function, BRIEF achieves 2[Formula: see text]3 orders of magnitude compression on diverse biomedical data at significantly higher fidelity than existing techniques. Besides, BRIEF is of consistent performance across the whole data volume, and supports customized spatially varying fidelity. BRIEF's multifold advantageous features also serve reliable downstream tasks at low bandwidth. Our approach will facilitate low-bandwidth data sharing and promote collaboration and progress in the biomedical field.

Validity of evoked potential as biomarker for predicting early neural function changes after thoracic spinal decompression surgery in patients with neurological deficits.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity of intraoperative evoked potential (EP) including motor evoked potential (MEP) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) as a biomarker for predicting neural function changes after thoracic spinal decompression (TSD) surgery. METHOD: A consecutive series of 336 TSD surgeries were reviewed between 2010 and 2021 from four spine center. All patients with TSD were divided into 3 groups according to different intraoperative EP results: group 1, EP alerts; group 2, no obvious EP deterioration; group 3, EP improvement compared with baselines. The lower limb Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores (as well as early and long-term JOA recovery rate) were utilized to quantitatively assess pre- and postoperative neural function change. RESULTS: Among the 3 subgroups according to the different EP changes, the early JOA recovery rate (RR%) in the EP improvement group was significantly better than the other two groups (51.3 ± 58.6* vs. 27.5 ± 31.2 and 33.3 ± 43.1; p < 0.01) after 3-month follow-up. The mean MEP and SEP amplitude were from 116 ± 57 µV to 347 ± 71 µV (p < 0.01) and from 1.86 ± 0.24 µV to 2.65 ± 0.29 µV (p < 0.01) between spinal cord pre-decompression and post-decompression. Moreover, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that risk factors of EP improvement were duration of symptom (p < 0.001, OR 10.9) and Preop. neurologic deficit degree (p = 0.013, OR 7.46). CONCLUSION: The intraoperative EP can predict postoperative neural function changes as a biomarker during TSD. Patient with EP improvement probably has better prognosis for early neural function recovery. The duration of symptom and preoperative neurologic deficit degree may be related to intraoperative EP improvement.

[Effect and mechanism of Zuogui Pills on neural function recovery in ischemic stroke mice based on OPN/IGF-1/mTOR].

To explore the effect and mechanism of Zuogui Pills in promoting neural tissue recovery and functional recovery in mice with ischemic stroke. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a sham group, a model group, and low-, medium, and high-dose Zuogui Pills groups(3.5, 7, and 14 g·kg~(-1)), with 15 mice in each group. The ischemic stroke model was established using photochemical embolization. Stiker remove and irregular ladder walking behavioral tests were conducted before modeling and on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 after medication. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining was performed on day 3 after modeling, and T2-weighted imaging(T2WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI) were performed on day 28 after medication to evaluate the extent of brain injury. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was performed to observe the histology of the cerebral cortex. Axonal marker proteins myelin basic protein(MBP), growth-associated protein 43(GAP43), mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), and its downstream phosphorylated s6 ribosomal protein(p-S6), as well as mechanism-related proteins osteopontin(OPN) and insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1), were detected using immunofluorescence and Western blot. Zuogui Pills had a certain restorative effect on the neural function impairment caused by ischemic stroke in mice. TTC staining showed white infarct foci in the sensory-motor cortex area, and T2WI imaging revealed cystic necrosis in the sensory-motor cortex area. The Zuogui Pills groups showed less brain tissue damage, fewer scars, and more capillaries. The number of neuronal axons in those groups was higher than that in the model group, and neuronal activity was stronger. The expression of GAP43, OPN, IGF-1, and mTOR proteins in the Zuogui Pills groups was higher than that in the model group. In summary, Zuogui Pills can promote the recovery of neural function and axonal growth in mice with ischemic stroke, and its mechanism may be related to the activation of the OPN/IGF-1/mTOR signaling pathway.

Flubendazole exposure disrupts neural development and function of zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio).

Flubendazole (FBZ) is a benzimidazole anthelmintic drug widely used for treating parasitic infections by disrupting microtubule formation and function through tubulin binding. Recently, its use has extended to include anticancer applications, leading to increased environmental exposure to benzimidazole drugs. However, the impact of FBZ on neural development in aquatic organisms, particularly in aquatic vertebrates, remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the potential developmental toxicity of FBZ during neural development using zebrafish model. Various assessments, including analysis of overall developmental changes, morphological abnormalities, apoptosis, gene expression alterations, axon length measurements, and electrophysiological neural function, were performed. FBZ exposure resulted in concentration-dependent effects on survival rate, hatching rate, heartbeat, and the occurrence of developmental abnormalities. Notably, FBZ-induced changes included reductions in body length, head size, and eye size, as well as the detection of apoptotic cells in the central nervous system. Gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of apoptosis-related genes (p53, casp3, and casp8), downregulation of neural differentiation-related genes (shha, nrd, ngn1, and elavl3), and alterations in neural maturation and axon growth-related genes (gap43, mbp, and syn2a). Additionally, shortened motor neuron axon length and impaired electrophysiological neural function were observed. These findings provide novel insights into the potential risks of FBZ on the neural development of zebrafish embryos, emphasizing the need for risk prevention strategies and therapeutic approaches to address the environmental toxicity of benzimidazole anthelmintics.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on neurological function and expressions of p-JNK and Beclin-1 in traumatic brain injury rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on neurological function, the expressions of phosphorylated c-Jun amino terminal kinase (p-JNK) and Beclin-1 in rats with traumatic brain injury (TBI), so as to explore the underlying mechanism of EA in the treatment of TBI. METHODS: A total of 64 SD rats were randomly divided into blank, sham, modeling groups, with 8 rats in the blank group and the sham group and 48 rats in the modeling group. The modified Feeney free-fall impact method was used to establish the TBI rat model. After modeling, rats of the modeling group were randomly divided into model and EA groups, which were further divided into 3 d, 7 d and 14 d subgroups with 8 rats in each group. Rats in the EA group were treated with acupuncture at "Baihui" (GV20, retained for 15 min), "Shuigou" (GV26, stabbed for 20 s), "Neiguan" (PC6) and "Zusanli" (ST36) of the right side. EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to PC6 and ST36 for 15 min. The above treatments were performed once a day, and different subgroups were continuously stimulated for 3, 7 and 14 days, respectively. The neurological impairment was evaluated by modified neurological severity score(mNSS). The pathological morphological changes and the protein expressions of p-JNK and Beclin-1 in the injured area of the brain were detected by Nissl staining and immunohistochemistry, separately. RESULTS: After modeling, the mNSS and the protein expressions of p-JNK and Beclin-1 were increased (P< 0.05) on day 3, 7 and 14 in the model group relative to the sham group. The Nissl bodies were reduced or even dissolved and neurons were seriously damaged in the model group on the 3rd day, which were mildly repaired on day 7 and 14. Following acupuncture interventions, compared with the model group, the mNSS on day 7 and 14 and the protein expressions of p-JNK and Beclin-1 on day 3, 7 and 14 were decreased (P< 0.05)in the EA group. The status of Nissl bodies and neurons in the EA group was better at all time points than that in the model group. There were no significant differences in the above indicators between the blank group and the sham group. CONCLUSION: EA can significantly improve the neurological function of TBI model rats, which may be related to its effects in down-regulating the protein expressions of p-JNK and Beclin-1 in the injured area of the brain.

Musician Conserved Absolute Pitch Ability Despite a Right Parietal Subcortical Hemorrhage.

Absolute pitch (AP) can identify and designate the pitch chroma of a particular tone without using any external references. Unknown neurological mechanisms underlie it. We report the case of a 53-year-old AP musician who developed a right parietal hemorrhage but conserved AP ability. Our case had a lesion in the right parietal lobe that did not affect her AP ability. Our case further supports the hypothesis that the left cerebral hemisphere is important for AP ability.

The multiple roles of GH in neural ageing and injury.

Advanced age is typically associated with a decrease in cognitive function including impairment in the formation and retention of new memories. The hippocampus is critical for learning and memory, especially spatial learning, and is particularly affected by ageing. With advanced age, multiple neural components can be detrimentally affected including a reduction in the number of neural stem and precursor cells, a decrease in the formation of adult born neurons (neurogenesis), and deficits in neural circuitry, all of which ultimately contribute to impaired cognitive function. Importantly, physical exercise has been shown to ameliorate many of these impairments and is able to improve learning and memory. Relevantly, growth hormone (GH) is an important protein hormone that decreases with ageing and increases following physical exercise. Originally described due to its role in longitudinal growth, GH has now been identified to play several additional key roles, especially in relation to the brain. Indeed, the regular decrease in GH levels following puberty is one of the most well documented components of neuroendocrine ageing. Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) has been described to have adverse effects on brain function, which can be ameliorated via GH replacement therapy. Physical exercise has been shown to increase circulating GH levels. Furthermore, we recently demonstrated the increase in exercise-mediated GH is critical for improved cognitive function in the aged mouse. Here we examine the multiple roles that GH plays, particularly in the aged brain and following trauma, irradiation and stroke, and how increasing GH levels can ameliorate deficits in cognition.

Neural function of Bmal1: an overview.

Bmal1 (Brain and muscle arnt-like, or Arntl) is a bHLH/PAS domain transcription factor central to the transcription/translation feedback loop of the biologic clock. Although Bmal1 is well-established as a major regulator of circadian rhythm, a growing number of studies in recent years have shown that dysfunction of Bmal1 underlies a variety of psychiatric, neurodegenerative-like, and endocrine metabolism-related disorders, as well as potential oncogenic roles. In this review, we systematically summarized Bmal1 expression in different brain regions, its neurological functions related or not to circadian rhythm and biological clock, and pathological phenotypes arising from Bmal1 knockout. This review also discusses oscillation and rhythmicity, especially in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and provides perspective on future progress in Bmal1 research.

Unique tRNA Fragment Upregulation with SARS-CoV-2 but Not with SARS-CoV Infection.

Unlike other coronaviruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly infected the global population, with some suffering long-term effects. Thanks to extensive data on SARS-CoV-2 made available through global, multi-level collaborative research, investigators are getting closer to understanding the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, using publicly available total and small RNAseq data of Calu3 cell lines, we conducted a comparative analysis of the changes in tRNA fragments (tRFs; regulatory small noncoding RNAs) in the context of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2 infections. We found extensive upregulation of multiple tRFs in SARS-CoV-2 infection that was not present in SARS-CoV or other virus infections our group has studied. By comparing the total RNA changes in matching samples, we identified significant downregulation of TRDMT1 (tRNA methyltransferase), only in SARS-CoV-2 infection, a potential upstream event. We further found enriched neural functions among downregulated genes with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Interestingly, theoretically predicted targets of the upregulated tRFs without considering mRNA expression data are also enriched in neural functions such as axon guidance. Based on a combination of expression data and theoretical calculations, we propose potential targets for tRFs. For example, among the mRNAs downregulated with SARS-CoV-2 infection (but not with SARS-CoV infection), SEMA3C is a theoretically calculated target of multiple upregulated tRFs and a ligand of NRP1, a SARS-CoV-2 receptor. Our analysis suggests that tRFs contribute to distinct neurological features seen in SARS-CoV-2.

The curative effect of Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture on hemiplegia after stroke and its influence on nerve function and limb function / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To explore the application of Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture in patients with hemiplegia after stroke.Methods:Randomized controlled trial. A total of 70 patients who met the inclusion criteria for post-stroke hemiplegia in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2021 were divided into two groups, with 35 cases in each group, according to the random number table. The control group was given conventional treatment combined with rehabilitation exercise therapy, and the observation group was given Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture on the basis of the above, and both groups were treated continuously for 1 month. Compare of the two groups Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Activity of Daily Living (ADL) score; Brunnstrom stage method was used to assess the patient's motor ability, and Holden walking function grade was used to assess the patient's walking ability. The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time(TT), and serum fibrinogen (FIB), D-dimer (D-D), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) levels were observed by ELISA. Adverse events were recorded and clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rates of the observation group and the control group were 97.14% (34/35) and 77.14% (27/35), respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2=6.25, P=0.012). After treatment, the scores of FMA and ADL in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( t values were 9.23 and 9.54, respectively, P<0.01), the MAS and NIHSS scores were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 10.23 and 11.97, respectively, P<0.01). After treatment, the distribution of patients in Brunnstrom stage Ⅴ and Ⅵand Holden functional walking stage Ⅳ and Ⅴ in the observation group was significantly higher than those in the control group ( χ2 values were 11.96 and 11.27, respectively, P<0.05). After treatment, APTT, PT and TT in the observation group were significantly longer than those in the control group ( t values were 10.37, 13.57 and 6.54, respectively, P<0.01); serum FIB, D-D and PAI-1 levels were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 12.85, 11.94 and 27.39, respectively, P<0.01). No adverse reactions occurred in both groups. Conclusion:The treatment of post-stroke hemiplegia with Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture can improve the effect of clinical treatment and the ability of daily life, neurological function, limb function, movement and walking ability, and stabilize the clotting state.

Effect and mechanism of Zuogui Pills on neural function recovery in ischemic stroke mice based on OPN/IGF-1/mTOR / 中国中药杂志

To explore the effect and mechanism of Zuogui Pills in promoting neural tissue recovery and functional recovery in mice with ischemic stroke. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a sham group, a model group, and low-, medium, and high-dose Zuogui Pills groups(3.5, 7, and 14 g·kg~(-1)), with 15 mice in each group. The ischemic stroke model was established using photochemical embolization. Stiker remove and irregular ladder walking behavioral tests were conducted before modeling and on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 after medication. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining was performed on day 3 after modeling, and T2-weighted imaging(T2WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI) were performed on day 28 after medication to evaluate the extent of brain injury. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was performed to observe the histology of the cerebral cortex. Axonal marker proteins myelin basic protein(MBP), growth-associated protein 43(GAP43), mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), and its downstream phosphorylated s6 ribosomal protein(p-S6), as well as mechanism-related proteins osteopontin(OPN) and insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1), were detected using immunofluorescence and Western blot. Zuogui Pills had a certain restorative effect on the neural function impairment caused by ischemic stroke in mice. TTC staining showed white infarct foci in the sensory-motor cortex area, and T2WI imaging revealed cystic necrosis in the sensory-motor cortex area. The Zuogui Pills groups showed less brain tissue damage, fewer scars, and more capillaries. The number of neuronal axons in those groups was higher than that in the model group, and neuronal activity was stronger. The expression of GAP43, OPN, IGF-1, and mTOR proteins in the Zuogui Pills groups was higher than that in the model group. In summary, Zuogui Pills can promote the recovery of neural function and axonal growth in mice with ischemic stroke, and its mechanism may be related to the activation of the OPN/IGF-1/mTOR signaling pathway.

Analysis of strategy and efficacy clinical treatments of Kümmell disease: a cohort study.

Background: Most clinical reports on the surgical treatment of kümmell disease lack consistency between classification and treatment protocol. In this study, we investigate the most appropriate and effective clinical treatment strategies according to the characteristics of different types of Kümmell disease. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of 48 patients with Kümmell disease treated in Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China for which complete follow-up data were available. All cases were classified into six types: type I, vertebral body height loss less than 20% and no intervertebral disc degeneration from adjacent segments; type II, vertebral body height loss more than 20% and accompanied by degeneration or mild instability of intervertebral discs at adjacent segments; type III, posterior vertebral cortical rupture and dural sac compression, and some accompanied by spinal cord nerve injury. Type III includes type IIIA (recoverable stable type), type IIIB (recoverable unstable type), type IIIC (spinal stenosis type), and type IIID (kyphosis type). Methods of surgery: patients of types I, II, and IIIA were treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) or percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP), type IIIB were treated with posterior fixation and fusion, type IIIC were treated with posterior decompression and fixation fusion, and type IIID were treated with posterior osteotomy, orthopedic fixation, and fusion. All patients were followed up for 10-44 months (mean, 20.5±4.5 months). The preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores, Owestry disability index (ODI) scores, secondary height loss and kyphosis, and neurological improvement were followed up and statistically analyzed. Results: The VAS and ODI scores of all cases were improved compared with those pre-surgery (P<0.05). A total of 8 cases showed loss of vertebral height or secondary kyphosis. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grades of patients with neural impairment were all improved at the last follow-up. Conclusions: According to the characteristics of different types of Kümmell disease, appropriate clinical treatment strategies can achieve satisfactory curative effects and reduce the occurrence of complications. This study is only a retrospective study, lacks a control group, and the sample size is small. Therefore, it has limitations and does not provide guidance.

Persistence of neural function in animals submitted to seizure-suppressing scale-free nonperiodic electrical stimulation applied to the amygdala.

Based on the rationale that neural hypersynchronization underlies epileptic phenomena, nonperiodic stimulation (NPS) was designed and successfully tested as an electrical stimulus with robust anticonvulsant action. Considering the scale-free temporal structure of NPS mimics natural-like activity, here we hypothesized its application to the amygdala would induce minor to none impairment of neural function in treated animals. Wistar rats underwent gold-standard behavioral tests such as open field (OF), elevated plus-maze (EPM), novel object recognition, and social interaction test in order to evaluate the functions of base-level anxiety, motor function, episodic memory, and sociability. We also performed daily (8 days, 6 h per day) electrophysiological recordings (local field potential/LFP and electromyography) to assess global forebrain dynamics and the sleep-wake cycle architecture and integrity. All animals displayed an increased proportion of time exploring new objects, spent more time in the closed arms of the EPM and in the periphery of the OF arena, with similar numbers of crossing between quadrants and no significant changes of social behaviors. In the sleep-wake cycle electrophysiology experiments, we found no differences regarding duration and proportion of sleep stages and the number of transitions between stages. Finally, the power spectrum of LFP recordings and neurodynamics were also unaltered. We concluded that NPS did not impair neural functions evaluated and thus, it may be safe for clinical studies. Additionally, results corroborate the notion that NPS may exert an on-demand only desynchronization effect by efficiently competing with epileptiform activity for the physiological and healthy recruitment of neural circuitry. Considering the very dynamical nature of circuit activation and functional activity underlying neural function in general (including cognition, processing of emotion, memory acquisition, and sensorimotor integration) and its corruption leading to disorder, such mechanism of action may have important implications in the investigation of neuropsychological phenomena and also in the development of rehabilitation neurotechnology.

Dopaminergic mushroom body neurons in Drosophila: Flexibility of neuron identity in a model organism?

In classical neuroscience, Dale´s principle postulates that neuronal identity is conferred by the specific neurotransmitter that it releases. However, the brain might be more tractable to specific situations regardless of specific specialisation which may contradict this principle. Hence, this constrained approach of how we perceive and study the nervous system must be revisited and revised, specifically by studying the dopaminergic system. We presume a relatively flexible change in the dopaminergic system due to neuronal activity or environmental changes. While the parallel between the reward system of mammals and insects is generally well accepted, herein, we extend the idea that the insect nervous system might also possess incredible plasticity, similar to the mammalian system. In this review, we critically evaluate the available information about the reward system in vertebrates and invertebrates, emphasising the dopaminergic neuronal plasticity, a challenge to the classical Dale's principle. Thus, neurotransmitter switching significantly disrupts the static idea of neural network organisation and suggests greater possibilities for a dynamic response to the current life context of organisms.

Effects of Parenting Environment on Child and Adolescent Social-Emotional Brain Function.

The caregiving environment that children and adolescents experience is critically important for their social-emotional development. Parenting may affect child social-emotional outcomes through its effects in shaping the child's developing brain. Research has begun to investigate effects of parenting on child and adolescent brain function in humans using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Here we review these initial studies. These studies find associations between parenting behavior and child and adolescent functional activation in neural networks involved in emotional arousal, emotion regulation (ER), reward processing, cognitive control, and social-emotional information processing. Findings from these studies suggest that higher negative parenting and lower positive parenting are generally associated with heightened activation in emotional arousal networks in response to negative emotional stimuli in youth. Further, findings indicate that lower positive parenting is associated with higher response in reward processing networks to monetary reward in youth. Finally, findings show that lower positive parenting predicts lower activation in cognitive control networks during cognitive control tasks and less adaptive neural responses to parent-specific stimuli. Several studies found these associations to be moderated by child sex or psychopathology risk status and we discuss these moderating factors and discuss implications of findings for children's social-emotional development.

The effect of fluoxetine combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on the psychological emotions and cognitive and neurological functions of acute post-stroke depression patients.

OBJECTIVE: This research was designed to probe into the effects of fluoxetine combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the psychological emotions and the cognitive and neurological functions of acute post-stroke depression patients. METHODS: This experiment recruited 115 acute post-stroke depression patients who were treated in our hospital from February 2018 to April 2020 as the study cohort. 55 of the patients were treated with fluoxetine, and 60 were treated with fluoxetine combined with rTMS. Both groups were treated for 2 months. The self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), the self-rating depression scale (SDS), the National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), the mini mental state scale (MMSE), the Barthel index, and the quality of life scale (SF-36) scores were observed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group (CG), the SAS, SDS, and NIHSS scores in the research group (RG) decreased, while the MMSE and Barthel index scores increased (P < 0.05). After the treatment, the SF-36 scores in the RG were higher than they were in the CG (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Fluoxetine combined with rTMS can effectively improve the psychological emotions and the cognitive and neurological functions of acute post-stroke depression patients, so it is worthy of clinical promotion.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Image Segmentation Under Artificial Intelligence Neural Network for Evaluation of the Effect of Butyphthalide Combined With Edaravone on Neurological Function in Patients With Acute Cerebral Infarction.

This research was developed to investigate the effect of artificial intelligence neural network-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image segmentation on the neurological function of patients with acute cerebral infarction treated with butylphthalide combined with edaravone. Eighty patients with acute cerebral infarction were selected as the research subjects, and the MRI images of patients with acute cerebral infarction were segmented by convolutional neural networks (CNN) upgraded algorithm model. MRI images of patients before and after treatment of butylphthalide combined with edaravone were compared to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of this treatment. The results showed that compared with the traditional CNN algorithm, the running time of the CNN upgraded algorithm adopted in this study was significantly shorter, and the Loss value was lower than that of the traditional CNN model. Upgraded CNN model can realize accurate segmentation of cerebral infarction lesions in MRI images of patients. In addition, the degree of cerebral infarction and the degree of arterial stenosis were significantly improved after treatment with butylphthalide and edaravone. Compared with that before treatment, the number of patients with severe cerebral infarction or even vascular stenosis decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and gradually changed to mild vascular stenosis, and the neurological dysfunction of patients was also significantly improved. In short, MRI image segmentation based on artificial intelligence neural network can well-evaluate the efficacy and neurological impairment of butylphthalide combined with edaravone in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction, and it was worthy of promotion in clinical evaluation of the treatment effect of acute cerebral infarction.

Synchronized and integrated prehospital treatment for acute cervical spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of synchronized and integrated prehospital treatment strategies for on-site first aid, rescue transport and prehospital first aid in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury. METHODS: A prospective non-randomized controlled study was designed to include patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury. A total of 50 patients were included in a Control group (before the implementation of synchronized and integrated prehospital treatment), and 50 patients were included in an Observation Group (after the implementation of synchronized and integrated prehospital treatment). We compared the timeliness of prehospital treatment, the proportion of patients received methylprednisolone treatment within 3 h after injury, the changes in Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score during transport, the incidence of adverse events, the clinical outcomes, the number of prehospital deaths, the case number of paralysis and the recovery of postoperative neural function between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the Control group, the Observation group showed significantly shorter time from injury to admission, from injury to receiving methylprednisolone pulse therapy, as well as from injury to receiving dehydrating agents and diuretics (all P<0.001). The proportion of patients received methylprednisolone treatment within 3 h after injury was significantly higher in the Observation group than that in the Control group (P<0.05). There was no significant change in the JOA score in the Observation group before and after the transport, while the score was significantly lower in the Control group after the transport (P<0.001). The JOA score was higher in the Observation group than that in the Control group at admission (P<0.001). The Observation group also showed decreased incidences of adverse events, mortality, and paralysis rate (all P<0.05) as well as better recovery of postoperative neural function (P<0.001) when compared with the Control group. CONCLUSION: Synchronized and integrated prehospital treatment has a significant effect in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury through shortening the admission time, reducing the risk of adverse events, and improving the rescue effect and the prognosis of neural function.

A Method to Quantify Drosophila Behavioral Activities Induced by GABAA Agonist Muscimol.

Muscimol is a psychoactive isoxazole derived from the mushroom Amanita muscaria. As a potent GABAA receptor agonist, muscimol suppresses the activity of the central nervous system, reduces anxiety and induces sleep. We investigated the effects of muscimol on Drosophila behavior. Drosophila behavioral assays are powerful tools that are used to assess neural functions by focusing on specific changes in selected behavior, with the hypothesis that this behavioral change is due to alteration of the underlying neural function of interest. In this study, we developed a comparatively simple and cost-effective method for feeding adult flies muscimol, a pharmacologically active compound, and for quantifying the phenotypes of "resting" and "grooming+walking". This protocol may provide researchers with a convenient method to characterize small molecule-induced behavioral output in flies.

Rhode Island COBRE Center for Central Nervous System Function: Progress and Perspectives.

The Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Center for Central Nervous System Function (CCNSF) was funded in 2013 by the National Institute for General Medical Sciences to establish a collaborative environment for basic and applied research in higher nervous system function with humans and experimental animal model systems. Since its inception, the COBRE CCNSF has funded junior faculty investigators as Project and Pilot Project Leaders and one established investigator on projects investigating fundamental properties of nervous system function using a range of tools spanning molecular genetics, neurophysiology, invasive and non-invasive brain stimulation, behavior and neuroimaging. The Administrative Core facilitates all Center activities with a focus on career development, grant proposal submission, and deployment of technology developed by our research cores. The Design and Analysis Core aims to provide principled study design expertise, statistical modeling, machine learning, inference, and computation. The Behavior and Neuroimaging Core provides project-specific collaboration and support to COBRE scientists to promote the acquisition of high quality behavioral, physiological, neuroimaging and neurostimulation data, to ensure the integrity of the data collection infrastructure and to help implement robust data processing and visualization pipelines. While the cores principally serve Center scientists, our Center and the core resources have availability to all Rhode Island researchers.