Motor recovery via aberrant pyramidal tract in a patient with traumatic brain injury A diffusion tensor tractography study

The aberrant pyramidal tract is the collateral pathway of the pyramidal tract through the medial lemniscus in the brainstem. A 21-year-old man presented with right hemiparesis due to a traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage in the left corona radiata. His motor function recovered almost to the normal state at 10 months after onset. Through diffusion tensor tractography, the pyramidal tract in the affected （left） hemisphere showed discontinuation at the pontine level at 13 months after onset. An aberrant pyramidal tract was observed, which originated from the primary motor cortex and the supplementary motor area and descended through the corona radiata, then through the posterior limb of the internal capsule and the medial lemniscus pathway from the midbrain to the pons, finally entered into the pyramidal tract area at the pontomedullary junction, it suggests that the motor functions of the right extremities in this patient had recovered by this aberrant pyramidal tract.

Aberrant pyramidal tract in a patient with corona radiata infarct A diffusion tensor tractography study

The aberrant pyramidal tract refers to the collateral pathway of the pyramidal tract through the medial lemniscus in the brainstem. A 63-year-old male patient presented with severe paralysis of the left extremities due to a right corona radiata infarct. He was able to extend the affected fingers against resistance at 2 months after stroke onset. At 6 months after stroke onset, he was able to perform some fine motor activities, as well as to walk with a nearly normal gait. Functional MRI, which was performed at 6 months after onset, showed that the contralateral primary sensorimotor cortex was activated during affected （left） hand movements. Diffusion tensor tractography results showed that at 2 weeks after stroke onset, pyramidal tracts of the affected hemisphere originated from the primary motor cortex and descended along the known pathway of the pyramidal tract with an aberrant pyramidal tract, which was bypassed through the medial lemniscus from the midbrain to the lower pons. However, the pyramidal tract from midbrain to pons in the affected hemisphere could not be depicted by diffusion tensor tractography at 6 months after stroke onset; instead, only the aberrant pyramidal tract existed for the course of the disappeared pyramidal tract. Results from this study indicate that the main motor functions of the affected extremities appeared to be controlled via the aberrant pyramidal tract with degeneration of the pyramidal tract in the brainstem of the affected hemisphere.

Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 modu⁃lates depression-like behaviors via hippocam⁃pal CA3 pyramidal neurons afferent to dorso⁃lateral septum

OBJECTIVE Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5(TGR5)is recognized as a promising target for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome;its expression has been demonstrat⁃ed in the brain and is thought to be neuroprotec⁃tive.Here,we hypothesize that dysfunction of central TGR5 may contribute to the pathogene⁃sis of depression.METHODS In well-established chronic social defeat stress(CSDS)and chronic restraint stress(CRS)models of depression,we investigated the functional roles of TGR5 in CA3 pyramidal neurons(PyNs)and underlying mech⁃anisms of the neuronal circuit in depression(for in vivo studies,n=10;for in vitro studies,n=5-10)using fiber photometry;optogenetic,chemoge⁃netic,pharmacological,and molecular profiling techniques;and behavioral tests.RESULTS Both CSDS and CRS most significantly reduced TGR5 expression of hippocampal CA3 PyNs.Genetic overexpression of TGR5 in CA3 PyNs or intra-CA3 infusion of INT-777,a specific agonist,protected against CSDS and CRS,exerting sig⁃nificant antidepressant-like effects that were mediated via CA3 PyN activation.Conversely,genetic knockout or TGR5 knockdown in CA3 facilitated stress-induced depression-like behav⁃iors.Re-expression of TGR5 in CA3 PyNs rather than infusion of INT-777 significantly improved depression-like behaviors in Tgr5 knockout mice exposed to CSDS or CRS.Silencing and stimula⁃tion of CA3 PyNs→somatostatin-GABAergic(gamma-aminobutyric acidergic)neurons of the dorsolateral septum circuit bidirectionally regulat⁃ed depression-like behaviors,and blockade of this circuit abrogated the antidepressant-like effects from TGR5 activation of CA3 PyNs.CON⁃CLUSION TGR5 can regulate depression via CA3 PyNs→somatostatin-GABAergic neurons of dorsolateral septum transmission,suggesting that TGR5 could be a novel target for developing antidepressants.

Structural changes in pyramidal cell dendrites and synapses in the unaffected side of the sensorimotor cortex following transcranial magnetic stimulation and rehabilitation training in a rat model of focal cerebral infarct

Very little is known about the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation and rehabilitation training on pyramidal cell dendrites and synapses of the contralateral, unaffected sensorimotor cortex in a rat model of focal cerebral infarct. The present study was designed to explore the mechanisms underlying improved motor function via transcranial magnetic stimulation and rehabilitation training following cerebral infarction. Results showed that rehabilitation training or transcranial magnetic stimulation alone reduced neurological impairment in rats following cerebral infarction, as well as significantly increased synaptic curvatures and post-synaptic density in the non-injured cerebral hemisphere sensorimotor cortex and narrowed the synapse cleft width. In addition, the percentage of perforated synapses increased. The combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation and rehabilitation resulted in significantly increased total dendritic length, dendritic branching points, and dendritic density in layer V pyramidal cells of the non-injured cerebral hemisphere motor cortex. These results demonstrated that transcranial magnetic stimulation and rehabilitation training altered structural parameters of pyramidal cell dendrites and synapses in the non-injured cerebral hemisphere sensorimotor cortex, thereby improving the ability to compensate for neurological functions in rats following cerebral infarction.

Loading direction dependence of asymmetric response of pyramidal slip in rolled AZ31 magnesium alloy

Textured magnesium alloys usually exhibit anisotropic mechanical behavior due to the asymmetric activation of different twinning and slipping modes.This work focuses on the pyramidal slip responses of rolled AZ31 magnesium alloy under two loading conditions,compressive and tensile loading along the normal direction.Under the condition where the compressive loading direction is closely parallel to the c-axis of the unit cell,tensile twinning and basal slips are prohibited, dislocations then active and tend to accumulate at grain boundaries and form dislocation walls.Meanwhile,these dislocations exhibit zigzag morphologies,which result from the cross-slip from {10■1} first-order pyramidal plane to {11■2} second-order pyramidal plane,then back to {10■1} first-order pyramidal plane.Under the condition where tensile twins are prevalent,{10■1} first-order and {11■2} second-order pyramidal dislocations are favorable to be activated.Both types of dislocations behave climb-like dissociations onto the basal plane,forming zigzag dislocations.

Dual face of axonal inhibitory inputs in the modulation of neuronal excitability in cortical pyramidal neurons

Limited by the tiny structure of axons,the effects of these axonal hyperpolarizing inputs on neuronal activity have not been directly elucidated.Here,we imitated these processes by simultaneously recording the activities of the somas and proximal axons of cortical pyramidal neurons.We found that spikes and subthreshold potentials propagate between somas and axons with high fidelity.Furthermore,inhibitory inputs on axons have opposite effects on neuronal activity according to their temporal integration with upstream signals.Concurrent with somatic depolarization,inhibitory inputs on axons decrease neuronal excitability and impede spike generation.In addition,following action potentials,inhibitory inputs on an axon increase neuronal spike capacity and improve spike precision.These results indicate that inhibitory inputs on proximal axons have dual regulatory functions in neuronal activity（suppression or facilitation）according to neuronal network patterns.

Myricetin protects hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons and improves learning and memory impairments in rats with Alzheimer's disease

There is currently no treatment for effectively slowing the progression of Alzheimer＇s disease, so early prevention is very important. Numerous studies have shown that flavonoids can improve memory impairment. The present study investigated the effects of myricetin, a member of the flavonoids, on intracerebroventricular streptozotocin induced neuronal loss and memory impairment in rat models of Alzheimer＇s disease. Myricetin at 5 or 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected into rats over 21 days. Control rats were treated with 10 m L/kg saline. Behavioral test（the shuttle box test） was performed on day 22 to examine learning and memory in rats. Immediately after that, hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the morphological change in hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons. Myricetin greatly increased the number of hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons and improved learning and memory impairments in rats with Alzheimer＇s disease. These findings suggest that myricetin is beneficial for treatment of Alzheimer＇s disease.

Fabrication and Statics Performance of Pyramidal Lattice Stitched Foam Sandwich Composites

In this study,the pyramidal lattice stitched foam sandwich composite materials were manufactured by integrating top and bottom panels with pyramidal lattice core to overcome the weak interface between the core and the skins of the sandwich structure.The influence of the reinforcing core rods on the mechanical properties including compressive,shear,and three-point bending performances of the foam sandwich compositematerialswere revealed through theoretical analysis and comparative experiments.The theoretical predictions were consistent with the experimental results.Compressive test,shear test and three-point bending test were performed.The experimental results show that the core rods can significantly improve the compressive performance and energy absorption efficiency of the pyramidal lattice stitched foam sandwich structure.The effect is related to the diameter of the core rod.The core rod with large diameter has better effect.Compared with the foamsandwich structure,the pyramidal lattice reinforcing foam composites have stronger shear and bending resistance.The failure modes and failure mechanisms of the pyramidal lattice stitched foam sandwich structure under the shear load are given.The failure modes and failure mechanisms of the pyramidal lattice stitched foam sandwich structure under the three-point bending load are also given.The study concludes that compared with the foam sandwich structure,the overall mechanical properties of the lattice stitched foam sandwich structure composites are significantly improved.

The optimum layer number of multi-layer pyramidal core sandwich columns under in-plane compression

The effect of the face thickness to core height ratio on different multi-layer pyramidal core sandwich columns under in-plane compression is investigated theoretically and numerically. Numerical simulation is in good agreement with theory. Results indicate that one specified face thickness to core height ratio corresponds to one optimum layer number of multi-layer pyramidal core sandwich columns in consideration of engineering application. This result can guide the sandwich structure design.

Motor recovery via aberrant pyramidal tract in a patient with a cerebral peduncle infarct

The presence of the aberrant pyramidal tract has been demonstrated by several studies; however, little is known about its role in motor recovery in stroke patients. In the present study, we reported a 69-year-old right-handed female patient with an infarct in the mid to lateral portion of the left cerebra peduncle, who showed an aberrant pyramidal tract by diffusion tensor tractography. The patient presented with severe weakness of the right extremities at stroke onset. The patient showed progressive motor recovery as much as being able to extend the affected extremities against some resistance at 6 months after onset. At 20 months after stroke onset, motor function of the left extremities had recovered to a nearly normal state. Diffusion tensor tractography results showed that the PT was disrupted at the lower midbrain of the affected （left） hemisphere at 3 weeks after stroke onset and this disruption was not changed at 20 months. An aberrant pyramidal tract in the left hemisphere was also observed, which originated from the primary motor cortex and descended through the corona radiata, posterior limb of the internal capsule, thalamus, the medial lemniscus pathway from the midbrain to the pons, and then entered into the pyramidal tract area at the pontomedullary junction. Transcranial magnetic stimulation did not elicit motor evoked potential from the affected hand muscle at 3 weeks, but it elicited motor evoked potential with mildly delayed latency and low amplitude in the affected hand muscle at 20 months. The main motor functions of the affected extremities in this patient appeared to be recovered via this aberrant pyramidal tract.

Semantic segmentation of pyramidal neuron skeletons using geometric deep learning

Neurons can be abstractly represented as skeletons due to the filament nature of neurites.With the rapid development of imaging and image analysis techniques,an increasing amount of neuron skeleton data is being produced.In some scienti fic studies,it is necessary to dissect the axons and dendrites,which is typically done manually and is both tedious and time-consuming.To automate this process,we have developed a method that relies solely on neuronal skeletons using Geometric Deep Learning(GDL).We demonstrate the effectiveness of this method using pyramidal neurons in mammalian brains,and the results are promising for its application in neuroscience studies.

Existence and uniqueness of a class of double pyramidal central configurations in six-body problems

Under the necessary conditions for a double pyramidal central configuration with a diamond base to exist in the real number space, the existence and uniqueness of such configurations were studied by employing combinedly the algebraic method and numerical calculation. It is found that there exists a planar curl triangle region G in a square Q such that any point in G and given by the ratio of the two diagonal lengths of the diamond base and the ratio of one diagonal length of the base to the height of the double pyramid configuration determines a unique double pyramid central configuration, while all points in Q-G have no referance to any central configuration.

Effect of temperature on the compressive behavior of carbon fiber composite pyramidal truss cores sandwich panels with reinforced frames

This paper focuses on the effect of temperature on the out-of-plane compressive properties and failure mechanism of carbon fiber/epoxy composite pyramidal truss cores sandwich panels （CF/CPTSP）. CFJCPTSP with novel reinforced frames are manufactured by the water jet cutting and interlocking assembly method in this paper. The theoretical analysis is presented to predict the out-of-plane compressive stiffness and strength of CFJCPTSP at different ambient temperatures. The tests of composite sandwich panels are per- formed throughout the temperature range from -90℃ to 180℃. Good agreement is found between theo- retical predictions and experimental measurements. Experimental results indicate that the low tempera- ture increases the compressive stiffness and strength of CF/CPTSP. However, the high temperature causes the degradation of the compressive stiffness and strength. Meanwhile, the effects of temperature on the failure mode of composite sandwich panels are also observed.

Pyramidal Structure of Chinese Publicly-Listed Private Firms:Motivations, Correlations and Paths to Governance

It is generally believed in academia that there are two theoretical explanations of tunneling and financing advantage for the creation of pyramidal structure. However, there is no definitive conclusion on which explanation holds sway. Based on non-equilibrium panel data of seven years between 2004 and 2010, this empirical study uses the product market competition variables of ＂inter-sector competition＂ and ＂intra-sector competition＂ and the hierarchy and complexity of pyramidal structure, examines the correlation between pyramidal structure of Chinese private manufacturing listed firms and product market competition and patterns of change, and reveals the major causes of pyramidal structure. Empirical result indicates that, for Chinese private manufacturing listed companies, there is a significant negative correlation between product market competition and the hierarchy and complexity of pyramidal structure, which indicates that the creation of pyramidal structure has a preference on tunneling by controlling shareholders. On the basis of further considerations on corporate tunneling and financing restraint categorization, high-tunneling firms and firms with low financing restraint demonstrate significant tunneling motivations; low-tunneling firms and firms with high financing restraint demonstrate significant effect of financing advantage, which further testifies both theoretical explanations for the creation of pyramidal structure. Conclusions of these studies have not only enriched and supplemented relevant studies on the root causes for the creation of pyramidal structure by Chinese private business groups, but provide practical support for firms to make correct and effective use of pyramidal structure as well.

Neuroprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons through maintaining calbindin D28k immunoreactivity following subsequent transient cerebral ischemia

Ischemic preconditioning elicited by a non-fatal brief occlusion of blood flow has been applied for an experimental therapeutic strategy against a subsequent fatal ischemic insult. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning（2-minute transient cerebral ischemia） on calbindin D28k immunoreactivity in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 area following a subsequent fatal transient ischemic insult（5-minute transient cerebral ischemia）. A large number of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area died 4 days after 5-minute transient cerebral ischemia. Ischemic preconditioning reduced the death of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area. Calbindin D28k immunoreactivity was greatly attenuated at 2 days after 5-minute transient cerebral ischemia and it was hardly detected at 5 days post-ischemia. Ischemic preconditioning maintained calbindin D28 k immunoreactivity after transient cerebral ischemia. These findings suggest that ischemic preconditioning can attenuate transient cerebral ischemia-caused damage to the pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area through maintaining calbindin D28k immunoreactivity.

Subicular pyramidal neurons gate drug resistance in temporal lobe epilepsy

OBJECTIVE To understand the underlying mechanisms of drug resistant temporal lobe epilepsy(TLE).METHODS In vivo and vitro electrophysiology,optogenetics and chemogenetics were used in a classic multi-drug resistant TLE model.RESULTS Subicular pyramidal neuron activity was not inhibited by the anti-epileptic drug phenytoin in drug resistant rats.This phenomenon was specific to the subiculum,but did not involve surrounding temporal lobe regions.Selective inhibition of subicular pyramidal neurons by both optogenetics and chemogenetics reversed drug resistance.In contrast,selective activation of subicular pyramidal neurons directly induced drug resistance in drug responsive rats.Furthermore,long-term low frequency stimulation at the subiculum,which is clinically feasible,inhibited the activity of subicular pyramidal neurons and reversed drug resistance.CONCLUSION Subicular pyramidal neurons might be a key ″ switch″ mediating drug resistance in TLE and represent a new potential target for more precise treatment of drug resistant TLE.

Speckle Suppress for SAR Images Based on Pyramidal Morphology Algorithm

A Pyramidal Morphology Algorithm is developed for speckle reduction of SARimages in this paper. For reducing the loss of information in the pyramidal algorithm for morphologyprocessing, in this modified algorithm, the sub-images are processed parallel in the downsamplingoperation and the sub-images are reconstructed in the upsampling operation. It can be applied toimage filtering parallel. After analysis the computer simulations show that these two kinds offilters are both effective in speckle reduction of SAR images. The modified parallel algorithm doesbetter than the original algorithm and Lee filter on some characteristics.

Effects of Urtica dioica extract on CA3 hippocampal pyramidal cell loss in young diabetic rats

BACKGROUND： Urtica dioica extract has been shown to play a protective role in the neurodegeneration associated with diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVE： To verify the neuroprotective efficacy of nettle extract on pyramidal cell density in the CA3 hippocampal subfield following administration of Urtica dioica extract to young diabetic rats. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, neurobiological study was performed at the Department of Histology and Embryology at the Gorgan University of Medical Sciences in Iran from 2006 to 2007. MATERIALS： Urtica dioica leaves were collected from a cultivated plant in the suburb of Gorgan （northem Iran） and taxonomically identified by the Department of Pharmacognosy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. METHODS： A total of 20 male, albino, Wistar rats, aged 6-7 postnatal weeks, were randomly assigned to four groups： normal control, diabetic model, preventive, and treatment, with five rats in each group. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （80 mg/kg） in the diabetic and treatment groups. Rats from the preventive group received a hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica （100 mg/kg per day） during the first 5 days, and then streptozotocin （80 mg/kg） was administered on day 6. One week following the streptozotocin injection, rats in the treatment group were intraperitoneally administered hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica （100 mg/kg per day） for 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Following administration of Urtica dioica extract, the dorsal hippocampal formation of the right cerebral hemispheres was stained with cresyl violet. Area densities of CA3 pyramidal cells were measured. RESULTS： The diabetic, preventive, and treatment groups exhibited reduced cell densities compared with the control group （P 〈 0.05）. Moreover, densities of CA3 pyramidal cells in the treatment group were significantly reduced compared with the diabetic model group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： The Urtica dioica extract exhibited no significant neuroprotectJve benefits in diabetes-induced loss of pyramidal cells in the CA3 hippocampal subfields of young diabetic rats.

Hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells and neurotrophic factors in a rat model of vascular dementia following Xiongma drop pill versus Ginkgo leaf tablets

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of Xiongma drop pill （XMDP） in a mouse model of vascular dementia. Neurotrophic factors play an important role in repair and regeneration of injured neurons. OBJECTIVE： To compare the effects of XMDP and Ginkgo leaf tablets on the appearance and number of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, as well as neurotrophic factor content in brain tissues, during vascular dementia formation to explore the neuroprotective mechanisms of XMDP. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin University of Commerce between April 2007 and December 2008. MATERIALS： XMDP was prepared by the College of Pharmacy, Harbin University of Commerce, with each 40 mg pill containing ferulic acid （≥ 0.149 mg） and gastrodin （≥ 0.171 mg）. Ginkgo leaf tablets were purchased from Taiyuan Qianyuan Pharmacy, China. METHODS： Healthy, adult, male, Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups： sham-operation, model, XMDP （high-, middle-, and low- dose）, and Ginkgo leaf tablets. The 6 groups were subdivided into two subgroups according to administration days, i.e., 30 and 60 days, with 8 animals in each subgroup. Rats in the model, XMDP, and Ginkgo leaf tablets groups were subjected to permanent bilateral ligation of the common carotid artery to establish a vascular dementia model. At 8 days after model establishment, all groups received intragastric administration once daily of the following： 10 mL/kg normal saline in the sham-operation and model groups; 0.4, 0.2, and 0.1 g/kg XMDP in the high-, middle-, and low-dose XMDP groups, respectively; and 50 mg/kg Ginkgo leaf tablets in the Ginkgo leaf tablets group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe appearance and to quantify the number of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor concentrations in brain tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS： Following model establishment, hippocampal CA1 neurons exhibited pathological changes. Compared with the sham-operation group, the number of pyramidal neurons significantly decreased （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）, and neurotrophic factor concentration increased in the model rats （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）. XMDP attenuated neuronal injury in a dose-dependent manner： the number of pyramidal neurons and neurotrophic factor concentrations were significantly increased compared with the model group （P〈 0.05 or P〈 0.01）. High- and middle-dose XMDP resulted in equivalent effects to Ginkgo leaf tablets. In addition, neurotrophic factor concentrations in all XMDP groups, after 60 days of administration, were remarkably greater than corresponding concentrations at 30 days （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01 ）. CONCLUSION： Hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells exhibited pathological injury following establishment of the vascular dementia model. Middle- and high-dose XMDP increased neurotrophic factor expression in the brain of vascular dementia rats, which suggested neuroprotection equivalent to Ginkgo leaf tablets.

Delamination Testing of AlSi10Mg Sandwich Structures with Pyramidal Lattice Truss Core made by Laser Powder Bed Fusion

Sandwich structures possess a high bending stiffness compared to monolithic structures with a similar weight.This makes them very suitable for lightweight applications,where high stiffness to weight ratios are needed.Most common manufacturing methods of sandwich structures involve adhesive bonding of the core material with the sheets.However,adhesive bonding is prone to delamination,a failure mode that is often difficult to detect.This paper presents the results of delamination testing of fully additive manufactured(AM)AlSi10Mg sandwich structures with pyramidal lattice truss core using Laser Powder Bed Fusion(LPBF).The faces and struts are 0.5 mm thick,while the core is 2 mm thick.The inclination of the struts is 45°.To characterise the bonding strength,climbing drum peel tests and out-of-plane tensile tests are performed.Analytical formulas are derived to predict the expected failure loads and modes.The analytics and tests are supported by finite element(FE)calculations.From the analytic approach,design guidelines to avoid delamination in AM sandwich structures are derived.The study presents a critical face sheet thickness to strut diameter ratio for which the structure can delaminate.This ratio is mainly influenced by the inclination of the struts.The peel tests resulted in face yielding,which can also be inferred from the analytics and numerics.The out-of-plane tensile tests didn’t damage the structure.