Functional near-infrared spectroscopy in non-invasive neuromodulation

Non-invasive cerebral neuromodulation technologies are essential for the reorganization of cerebral neural networks,which have been widely applied in the field of central neurological diseases,such as stroke,Parkinson’s disease,and mental disorders.Although significant advances have been made in neuromodulation technologies,the identification of optimal neurostimulation paramete rs including the co rtical target,duration,and inhibition or excitation pattern is still limited due to the lack of guidance for neural circuits.Moreove r,the neural mechanism unde rlying neuromodulation for improved behavioral performance remains poorly understood.Recently,advancements in neuroimaging have provided insight into neuromodulation techniques.Functional near-infrared spectroscopy,as a novel non-invasive optical brain imaging method,can detect brain activity by measuring cerebral hemodynamics with the advantages of portability,high motion tole rance,and anti-electromagnetic interference.Coupling functional near-infra red spectroscopy with neuromodulation technologies offe rs an opportunity to monitor the cortical response,provide realtime feedbac k,and establish a closed-loop strategy integrating evaluation,feedbac k,and intervention for neurostimulation,which provides a theoretical basis for development of individualized precise neuro rehabilitation.We aimed to summarize the advantages of functional near-infra red spectroscopy and provide an ove rview of the current research on functional near-infrared spectroscopy in transcranial magnetic stimulation,transcranial electrical stimulation,neurofeedback,and braincomputer interfaces.Furthermore,the future perspectives and directions for the application of functional near-infrared spectroscopy in neuromodulation are summarized.In conclusion,functional near-infrared spectroscopy combined with neuromodulation may promote the optimization of central pellral reorganization to achieve better functional recovery form central nervous system diseases.

Measuring Ca^(2+) influxes of TRPC1-dependent Ca^(2+) channels in HL-7702 cells with Non-invasive Micro-test Technique

AIM： To explore the possibility of using the Noninvasive Micro-test Technique （NMT） to investigate the role of Transient Receptor Potential Canonical 1 （TRPC1） in regulating Ca^2＋ influxes in HL-7702 cells, a normal human liver cell line.METHODS： Net Ca^2＋ fluxes were measured with NMT, a technology that can obtain dynamic information of specific/selective ionic/molecular activities on material surfaces, non-invasively. The expression levels of TRPCl were increased by liposomal transfection, whose effectiveness was evaluated by Western-blotting and single cell reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS： Ca^2＋ influxes could be elicited by adding 1 mmol/L CaCl2 to the test solution of HL-7702 cells. They were enhanced by addition of 20 μmol/L noradrenalin and inhibited by 100 μmol/L LaCl3 （a non-selective Ca^2＋ channel blocker）; 5 μmol/L nifedipine did not induce any change. Overexpression of TRPCl caused increased Ca^2＋ influx. Five micromoles per liter nifedipine did not inhibit this elevation, whereas 100 μmol/L LaCI3 did.CONCLUSION： In HL-7702 cells, there is a type of TRPCl-dependent Ca^2＋ channel, which could be detected v/a NMT and inhibited by La^3＋.

Measurement of Ca^(2+) Flow in Cochlear Cells Using Non-Invasive Micro-Test Technique

Objective To test Calcium ion(Ca2+) flow at the head and end of outer hair cells(OHCs) in resting state and in response to Nimodipine treatment.Methods Non-invasive micro-test techniques were used to study Ca2+ in isolated OHCs in adult guinea pigs.Results Four types of Ca2+ transport were identified in OHCs on basilar membrane tissue fragments:influx at the head of with efflux at the bottom(type 1):efflux at the head of OHCs with influx at the bottom(type 2);influx at the both head and bottom(type 3);and efflux at the both head and bottom(type 4).However,only type 1 and type 3 of Ca2+ ion transport were detected in the cochlea.We propose that Ca2+ ion transport exists in adult guinea pig cochlear OHCs in resting state and is variable.Ca2 + flow in OHC can be inhibited by Nimodipine in resting state.

Neuromodulation for tinnitus treatment:an overview of invasive and non-invasive techniques

Tinnitus is defined as a perception of sound without any external sound source.Chronic tinnitus is a frequent condition that can affect the quality of life.So far,no causal cure for tinnitus has been documented,and most pharmacologic and psychosomatic treatment modalities aim to diminish tinnitus’impact on the quality of life.Neuromodulation,a novel therapeutic modality,which aims at alternating nerve activity through a targeted delivery of a stimulus,has emerged as a potential option in tinnitus treatment.This review provides a brief overview of the current neuromodulation techniques as tinnitus treatment options.The main intention is to provide updated knowledge especially for medical professionals counselling tinnitus patients in this emerging field of medicine.Non-invasive methods such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,transcranial electrical stimulation,neurofeedback,and transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation were included,as well as invasive methods such as implanted vagus nerve stimulation and invasive brain stimulation.Some of these neuromodulation techniques revealed promising results;nevertheless,further research is needed,especially regarding the pathophysiological principle as to how these neuromodulation techniques work and what neuronal change they induce.Various studies suggest that individually different brain states and networks are involved in the generation and perception of tinnitus.Therefore,in the future,individually tailored neuromodulation strategies could be a promising approach in tinnitus treatment for achieving a more substantial and longer lasting improvement of complaints.

Non-invasive evaluation of liver stiffness after splenectomy in rabbits with CCl_4-induced liver fibrosis

AIM To investigate the diagnostic performance of liver stiffness measurement(LSM) by elastography point quantification(Elast PQ) in animal models and determine the longitudinal changes in liver stiffness by Elast PQ after splenectomy at different stages of fibrosis.METHODS Liver stiffness was measured in sixty-eight rabbits with CCl4-induced liver fibrosis at different stages and eight healthy control rabbits by Elast PQ. Liver biopsies and blood samples were obtained at scheduled time points to assess liver function and degree of fibrosis. Thirty-one rabbits with complete data that underwent splenectomy at different stages of liver fibrosis were then included for dynamic monitoring of changes in liver stiffness by Elast PQ and liver function according to blood tests.RESULTS LSM by Elast PQ was significantly correlated with histologic fibrosis stage(r = 0.85, P < 0.001). The optimal cutoff values by Elast PQ were 11.27, 14.89, and 18.21 k Pa for predicting minimal fibrosis, moderate fibrosis, and cirrhosis, respectively. Longitudinalmonitoring of the changes in liver stiffness by Elast PQ showed that early splenectomy(especially F1) may delay liver fibrosis progression.CONCLUSION Elast PQ is an available, convenient, objective and non-invasive technique for assessing liver stiffness in rabbits with CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. In addition, liver stiffness measurements using Elast PQ can dynamically monitor the changes in liver stiffness in rabbit models, and in patients, after splenectomy.

Non-Invasive Early Diagnosis of Obstructive Lung Diseases Leveraging Machine Learning Algorithms

Lungs are a vital human body organ,and different Obstructive Lung Diseases(OLD)such as asthma,bronchitis,or lung cancer are caused by shortcomings within the lungs.Therefore,early diagnosis of OLD is crucial for such patients suffering from OLD since,after early diagnosis,breathing exercises and medical precautions can effectively improve their health state.A secure non-invasive early diagnosis of OLD is a primordial need,and in this context,digital image processing supported by Artificial Intelligence(AI)techniques is reliable and widely used in the medical field,especially for improving early disease diagnosis.Hence,this article presents an AIbased non-invasive and secured diagnosis for OLD using physiological and iris features.This research work implements different machine-learning-based techniques which classify various subjects,which are healthy and effective patients.The iris features include gray-level run-length matrix-based features,gray-level co-occurrence matrix,and statistical features.These features are extracted from iris images.Additionally,ten different classifiers and voting techniques,including hard and soft voting,are implemented and tested,and their performances are evaluated using several parameters,which are precision,accuracy,specificity,F-score,and sensitivity.Based on the statistical analysis,it is concluded that the proposed approach offers promising techniques for the non-invasive early diagnosis of OLD with an accuracy of 97.6%.

Progress in neurorehabilitation research and the support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China from 2010 to 2022

The National Natural Science Foundation of China is one of the major funding agencies for neuro rehabilitation research in China.This study reviews the frontier directions and achievements in the field of neurorehabilitation in China and wo rldwide.We used data from the Web of Science Core Collection(WoSCC) database to analyze the publications and data provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China to analyze funding information.In addition,the prospects for neurorehabilitation research in China are discussed.From 2010 to 2022,a total of 74,220 publications in neurorehabilitation were identified,with there being an overall upward tendency.During this period,the National Natural Science Foundation of China has funded 476 research projects with a total funding of 192.38 million RMB to support neuro rehabilitation research in China.With the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China,China has made some achievements in neurorehabilitation research.Research related to neurorehabilitation is believed to be making steady and significant progress in China.

Double-target neural circuit-magnetic stimulation improves motor function in spinal cord injury by attenuating astrocyte activation

Multi-target neural circuit-magnetic stimulation has been clinically shown to improve rehabilitation of lower limb motor function after spinal cord injury. However, the precise underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we performed double-target neural circuit-magnetic stimulation on the left motor cortex and bilateral L5 nerve root for 3 successive weeks in a rat model of incomplete spinal cord injury caused by compression at T10. Results showed that in the injured spinal cord, the expression of the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein and inflammatory factors interleukin 1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α had decreased, whereas that of neuronal survival marker microtubule-associated protein 2 and synaptic plasticity markers postsynaptic densification protein 95 and synaptophysin protein had increased. Additionally, neural signaling of the descending corticospinal tract was markedly improved and rat locomotor function recovered significantly. These findings suggest that double-target neural circuit-magnetic stimulation improves rat motor function by attenuating astrocyte activation, thus providing a theoretical basis for application of double-target neural circuit-magnetic stimulation in the clinical treatment of spinal cord injury.

脑小血管病伴淡漠研究进展

淡漠是脑小血管病(cerebral small vessel disease,CSVD)常见的神经精神症状,可导致患者生活质量下降,致残率增加、自杀率升高以及照顾者负担加重。然而,CSVD伴淡漠的诊治未被充分认识并且被严重低估。本文对CSVD伴淡漠的概念、流行病学特征、神经影像机制、评估与诊断、与抑郁和认知功能的关系、治疗等进行综述。已有研究显示CSVD伴淡漠的发生机制可能涉及前额叶-基底神经节环路的白质纤维损害以及脑网络功能障碍;CSVD伴淡漠参与介导认知功能损害,而不是由抑郁介导,且淡漠可能增加痴呆的发生风险;多巴胺类药物及神经调控技术在CSVD伴淡漠的治疗中具备前景。

Clinical Trial Demonstrates Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Improving Pain Management from Post-Laminectomy Syndrome

Chronic pain, a multidimensional experience affecting individuals’ sensory, cognitive, and emotional aspects, significantly impacts their quality of life. Post-laminectomy syndrome, a condition characterized by persistent back pain following spinal surgery, often leads to disability and increased healthcare utilization. Methods: This randomized, controlled, blind clinical trial aimed to investigate the efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in managing pain from post-laminectomy syndrome in patients. Twenty-four participants were assigned to three groups: sham stimulation, active stimulation over primary motor cortex (M1), or stimulation over dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Stimulation was administered for five consecutive days, 20 minutes per session, using a current of 1.5 mA through 25 cm2 electrodes. Pain intensity was assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before, during, and after intervention. Results: An ANOVA model demonstrates significant reduction in pain intensity compared to baseline in VAS, (F(7, 285) = 12.292;p 0.001;Power = 1.000;η2p = 0.534), in tDCS applied to M1, after five days of intervention. After stimulation, a significant improvement was observed in WHOQoL-Bref Quality of life item 1 (p = 0.04), considering statistical significant difference p 0.05. Correlation between the variables: quality of life, depression, anxiety and pain also demonstrates reduction in depression and anxiety according to Beck’s Depression and Anxiety Inventories (BDI and BAI), p 0.05. This effect was not observed in DLPFC stimulation group. Patients who believed they received active stimulation, in sham group, demonstrated potential for effective blinding. Conclusion: The tDCS applied to primary motor cortex effectively improved pain management and psychiatry symptoms in post-laminectomy syndrome patients. The technique’s low cost, ease of use, and high tolerability make it a promising adjuvant therapy for chronic pain conditions like post-laminectomy syndrome.

基于非损伤微测技术监测贮期鸡蛋氧呼吸规律

鸡蛋作为一个生命体,呼吸作用是其产后重要的生理活动,也是影响鸡蛋贮运效果的重要因素,研究鸡蛋氧呼吸规律对其贮藏保鲜意义重大。该文应用非损伤微测技术,搭建特有的微测试验平台,实时监测鸡蛋与外界微环境的O2交换速率以及交换强度。通过预试验选定探针与鸡蛋表面的最佳距离为50μm,选定鸡蛋最佳测试位置为钝端。试验选取一天中的4个时间点(6:00,12:00,18:00,24:00)来测试鸡蛋O2呼吸,借以研究鸡蛋在一天不同时间点的氧呼吸强弱;另外在每天同一时间点测试鸡蛋O2流速,连续测一个月,来研究鸡蛋贮藏期间的氧呼吸变化规律。试验发现:一天中鸡蛋的氧呼吸存在凌晨高下午低的规律性,无论是受精蛋还是非受精蛋,在每天的不同时间点呼吸强度有差异,受精蛋比非受精蛋的生命活动及新陈代谢变化更强烈,昼夜呼吸差异显著;一个月中,鸡蛋在贮期会产生2次呼吸峰值,分别出现在质变的转折点,并且第2次的峰值明显高于第1次的峰值。试验结果表明鸡蛋存在自身特有呼吸规律,生命代谢活动强时其对应氧呼吸活动也强,反之则弱;刚产下的鸡蛋的呼吸较为活跃。该研究可为如何优化贮藏条件以及提高种蛋的孵化率提供参考。

双侧颞叶海马病变致药物难治性癫的外科治疗

目的探讨双侧颞叶海马病变致药物难治性癫的外科手术治疗方法及效果。方法 5例MRI显示双侧颞叶病变的患者,临床症状、核磁共振成像(MRI)、长程视频脑电监测(V-EEG)及正电子发射断层显像-计算机断层显像(PET-CT)等检查均不能定位起源病灶,行MRI引导立体定向下双侧海马深部电极置入术,对术后V-EEG,综合分析结果,确定起源病灶侧别后行手术治疗。结果术后随访半年以上,按照Engel的疗效判断标准:Ⅰ级4例(行起源侧前颞叶海马杏仁核切除术),Ⅱ级1例(行起源侧海马神经调控治疗)。结论对双侧颞叶海马病变致药物难治性癫,通过立体定向下双侧海马深部电极置入术及术后长程V-EEG方法,综合分析结果能较准确确定癫起源灶,同时也能成功指导外科手术。

精神外科:从毁损术到神经调控技术

精神外科是指精神疾病的神经外科治疗,有着漫长而富有争议的历史。该文系统综述了精神外科的诞生,额叶白质切断术的繁荣与其后的没落,立体定向技术的发展及常用术式,以及现代神经调控技术(包括经颅磁刺激,迷走神经刺激及深部脑刺激等)的新发展,最后讨论了国内精神外科发展现状,并提出对未来的展望。

非侵入性神经调控对脑损伤后意识障碍的疗效观察

目的观察非侵入性神经调控技术经颅直流电刺激(tDCS)结合正中神经电刺激(MNES)对脑损伤后患者意识水平和体感诱发电位的影响。方法纳入脑损伤后存在意识障碍的患者102例,随机分为3组,每组34例,A组给予常规治疗及阳极经颅直流电刺激,B组常规治疗及正中神经电刺激,C组给予常规治疗、阳极经颅直流电刺激及正中神经电刺激,分别于治疗前、治疗后4周及治疗后8周进行体感诱发电位N20潜伏期及波幅测定,格拉斯哥昏迷量表(GCS)及昏迷恢复量表(CRS-R)测评。结果(1)体感诱发电位:3组经4周治疗后N20潜伏期均治疗前缩短、波幅均较治疗前提高(P<0.05);3组经8周治疗后,与治疗4周时相比,N20潜伏期均缩短、波幅均增高,且C组N20潜伏期[(19.06±2.01)ms]及波幅[(2.23±0.45)μV]变化显著高于A组[N20潜伏期(21.06±2.36)ms,波幅(1.99±0.36)μV]、B组[N20潜伏期(20.92±2.33)ms及波幅(2.04±0.27)μV](P<0.01)。(2)GCS、CRS-R测评:3组经4周治疗后,GCS、CRS-R量表测评分值均提高(P<0.05);治疗8周后,3组GCS、CRS-R测评得分较4周时均提高(P<0.05),A、B组提高情况接近,而C组GCS[(12.76±1.46)分]、CRS-R[(16.23±0.49)分]评分显著优于A组[GCS(11.06±1.35)分,CRS-R(13.99±0.56)分]、B组[GCS(11.52±1.82)分,CRS-R(14.04±0.33)分](P<0.05)。结论中枢结合外周的非侵入性神经调控技术对提高脑损伤后患者意识水平及体感诱发电位的改善具有显著作用。

经颅直流电刺激治疗强迫症的研究进展

强迫症是一种以反复持久出现强迫观念或强迫行为为基本特征的致残性疾病,目前的一线治疗方法主要包括药物治疗和心理治疗以及二者联合使用,但仍有将近40%的患者对于这些治疗无反应。在近期发展的治疗方法中,非侵入性脑刺激技术,如经颅直流电刺激(transcranial direct current stimulation,tDCS)有望缓解多种精神疾病的症状并改善认知功能。tDCS 已应用于抑郁症、精神分裂症、普遍性焦虑以及其他精神心理疾病的治疗中,并取得确切的临床疗效。但有关tDCS 技术治疗强迫症的研究较少,尤其是随机对照研究数量少,多为开放性试验或案例报道,且结果存在不一致性。该文回顾现有报道中tDCS 治疗强迫症患者的效果,分析未来将tDCS 广泛应用于治疗强迫症患者的可能性。

Application of Non-invasive Microsensing System to Simultaneously Measure Both H^＋ and O2 Fluxes Around the Pollen Tube

Various Ionic and molecular activities in the extraceUular environment are vital to plant cell physiological processes. A noninvasive microsensing system （NMS） based on either the scanning ion-selective electrode technique （SIET） or the scanning polarographlc electrode technique （SPET） is able to obtain information regarding the transportation of various Ions/molecules in Intact samples under normal physiological conditions. The two-probe simultaneous test system （2STS） Is an Integrated system composed of SIET, SPET, and a Xu-Kunkel sampling protocol. In the present study, 2STS was able to simultaneously measure fluxes of H^＋ and O2 of the Uly （Lillum Iongiflorum Thunb. cv. Ace） pollen tube while avoiding interference between the two probes. The results Indicate that the proton fluxes were effluxes, whereas the oxygen fluxes were Influxes, and they were closely correlated to each other surrounding the constitutive alkaline band region. Specifically, when the proton effluxes increased, the oxygen Influxes also increased. Therefore, the hypothesis of condensed active mitochondria existing in the alkalized area of the pollen tube proposed by Hepler＇s group is supported.

Effects and mechanisms of store-operated calcium channel blockade on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

AIM:To further investigate the important role of store-operated calcium channels (SOCs) in rat hepatocytes and to explore the effects of SOC blockers on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI).METHODS:Using freshly isolated hepatocytes from a rat model of HIRI (and controls),we measured cyto-solic free Ca 2+ concentration (by calcium imaging),net Ca 2+ fluxes (by a non-invasive micro-test technique),the SOC current (I SOC ;by whole-cell patch-clamp record-ing),and taurocholate secretion [by high-performance liquid chromatography and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays].RESULTS:Ca 2+ oscillations and net Ca 2+ fluxes medi-ated by Ca 2+ entry via SOCs were observed in rat he-patocytes.I SOC was significantly higher in HIRI groups than in controls (57.0 ± 7.5 pA vs 31.6 ± 2.7 pA,P <0.05) and was inhibited by La 3+.Taurocholate secretion by hepatocytes into culture supernatant was distinctly lower in HIRI hepatocytes than in controls,an effect reversed by SOC blockers.CONCLUSION:SOCs are pivotal in HIRI.SOC blockers protected against HIRI and assisted the recovery of se-cretory function in hepatocytes.Thus,they are likely to become a novel class of effective drugs for prevention or therapy of HIRI patients in the future.

低强度聚焦超声对神经调控作用研究进展

超声波是临床上常见的影像学检查手段和物理治疗方法,随着相关研究的开展,低强度聚焦超声(LIFU)在神经调控领域展现出独特优势和潜力。相比目前常用的电、磁等调控方法,LIFU神经调控具有无创、可逆、精准等特点,这也刷新对超声波及神经调控的认识。该文就LIFU对神经调控作用研究进展进行综述。

Effects of music therapy in depression and anxiety disorder

Mental disorders are considerate "the evil of the century" by renowned researchers, because a large part of the population in many countries is a diagnosticated, and currently afect youth and children. Among the numerous therapeutic interventions, the music therapy is a non-invasive approach. However, there are very few people who are professionally engaged in research and studies on the subject. Therefore, this article is a literature to talk about the benefits of music therapy sessions for people with stress, depression and anxiety disorders.

Split internal-loop photobioreactor for Scenedesmus sp.microalgae:Culturing and hydrodynamics

In this study,the evaluation of the performance of the split internal loop photobioreactor for culturing a species of green microalgae,Scenedesmus sp.under different operating superficial gas velocity and during a different time of growth(i.e.,starting for the first day until end day of the culturing process)was addressed.The evaluation of the performance of the split internal loop photobioreactor was included assessing the density,pH,temperature,viscosity,surface tension,the optical density,cell population,dry biomass,and chlorophyll of the culture medium of the microalgae culturing.Additionally,the hydrodynamics of a Split Internal-Loop Photobioreactor with microalgae culturing was comprehensively quantified.Radioactive particle tracking(RPT)and gamma-ray computed tomography(CT)techniques were applied for the first time to quantify and address the influence of microalgae culture on the hydrodynamic parameters.The hydrodynamics parameters such as local liquid velocity field,shear stresses,turbulent kinetic energy,and local gas holdup profiles were measured at different superficial gas velocities as well as under different times of algae growth.The obtained results indicate that the flow distribution may significantly affect the performance of the photobioreactor,which may have substantial effects on the cultivation process.The obtained experimental data can serve as benchmark data for the evaluation and validation of computational fluid dynamics(CFD)codes and their closures.This,in turn,allows us to develop efficient reactors and consequently improving the productivity and selectivity of these photobioreactors.