Human Nervous System Research Articles

User-Centered Design of Neuroprosthetics: Advancements and Limitations.

Neurological conditions resulting from severe spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and other traumatic incidents often lead to the loss of essential bodily functions, including sensory and motor capabilities. Traditional prosthetic devices, though standard, have limitations in delivering the required dexterity and functionality. The advent of neuroprosthetics marks a paradigm shift, aiming to bridge the gap between prosthetic devices and the human nervous system. This review paper explores the evolution of neuroprosthetics, categorizing devices into sensory and motor neuroprosthetics and emphasizing their significance in addressing specific challenges. The discussion section delves into long-term challenges in clinical practice, encompassing device durability, ethical considerations, and issues of accessibility and affordability. Furthermore, the paper proposes potential solutions with a specific focus on enhancing sensory experiences and the importance of user-friendly interfaces. In conclusion, this paper offers a comprehensive overview of the current state of neuroprosthetics, outlining future research and development directions to guide advancements in the field.

Spike protein-related proteinopathies: A focus on the neurological side of spikeopathies.

The spike protein (SP) is an outward-projecting transmembrane glycoprotein on viral surfaces. SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), responsible for COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), uses SP to infect cells that express angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on their membrane. Remarkably, SP has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the brain and cause cerebral damage through various pathomechanisms. To combat the COVID-19 pandemic, novel gene-based products have been used worldwide to induce human body cells to produce SP to stimulate the immune system. This artificial SP also has a harmful effect on the human nervous system. Narrative review. This narrative review presents the crucial role of SP in neurological complaints after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but also of SP derived from novel gene-based anti-SARS-CoV-2 products (ASP). Literature searches using broad terms such as "SARS-CoV-2", "spike protein", "COVID-19", "COVID-19 pandemic", "vaccines", "COVID-19 vaccines", "post-vaccination syndrome", "post-COVID-19 vaccination syndrome" and "proteinopathy" were performed using PubMed. Google Scholar was used to search for topic-specific full-text keywords. The toxic properties of SP presented in this review provide a good explanation for many of the neurological symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection and after injection of SP-producing ASP. Both SP entities (from infection and injection) interfere, among others, with ACE2 and act on different cells, tissues and organs. Both SPs are able to cross the BBB and can trigger acute and chronic neurological complaints. Such SP-associated pathologies (spikeopathies) are further neurological proteinopathies with thrombogenic, neurotoxic, neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative potential for the human nervous system, particularly the central nervous system. The potential neurotoxicity of SP from ASP needs to be critically examined, as ASPs have been administered to millions of people worldwide.

Bioengineering tools for next-generation neural organoids.

Bioengineering tools for next-generation neural organoids.

Code poiesis: Life's fuel.

Code poiesis: Life's fuel.

Optimal Production of 3D Neuronal Lineage Population by Morphological Classification.

The increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases and toxic substance exposure highlights the need for neuronal cell models that closely mimic human neurons in vivo. Compared to traditional models, human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived three-dimensional models mimic human physiological characteristics and complex nervous system interactions. These models enable patient-specific treatments and improve the predictive accuracy of drug toxicity evaluations. However, differentiation efficiency varies based on organoid size, structure, and cell line characteristics, necessitating standardized protocols for consistent outcome. The morphological characteristics of hPSC-derived embryonic bodies (EBs) formed by concave microwells were analyzed at the early stage of neuronal differentiation. Criteria were established to identify cells with high differentiation efficiency, enabling the optimization of differentiation methods applicable across various cell lines. Neuronal organoids were generated using a microfluidic-concave chip, and their suitability for drug toxicity testing was assessed. EBs, formed in 500µm concave microwells, exhibited the highest efficiency for neuronal cell differentiation. Cavity-like EBs were more suitable for neuronal differentiation and maturation than cystic-like forms. The optimal neuronal lineage differentiation method was established, and the drug toxicity sensitivity of organoids generated from this method was validated. This study identified EB structures suitable for neuronal lineage differentiation based on morphological classification. Furthermore, this study suggested an optimal method for generating neuronal organoids. This method can be applied to various cell lines, enabling its precise use in patient-specific treatments and drug toxicity tests.

Neurotechnology and neural rights

Neurotechnology, which includes a range of devices and procedures that interact directly with the human nervous system, has become a pioneering field with the potential to revolutionize medicine, communication and human development. The rapid progress and constant development poses complex serious ethical and legal challenges. Especially, with regard to human rights such as mental privacy and cognitive freedom. The paper explores the definition and examples of neurotechnologies and its applications, their impact on cognitive behavior and emotions, the human rights they affect, and the emerging concept of neural rights. Existing systems are analyzed through a legal lens and the need to balance between innovation and ethical imperatives is sought.

Efficient removal of naturally-occurring lipofuscin autofluorescence in human nervous tissue using high-intensity white light.

Efficient removal of naturally-occurring lipofuscin autofluorescence in human nervous tissue using high-intensity white light.

Elucidating SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism: a comprehensive Mendelian randomization study on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and their relevance to COVID-19 neurological manifestations

A mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 invaded the human nervous system. This was confirmed by an increase in biomarkers found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma of COVID-19 patients. To confirm the neuroinvasive properties of SARS-CoV-2, a series of analyses were conducted utilizing accessible datasets by MR. In addition, external validation was conducted by testing specific proteins in a retrospective cohort study, which included 40 COVID-19 patients with neurological complications and 15 disease controls (DC). Our investigation revealed the hospitalization, severity of COVID-19 increased the area and volume of certain brain regions, but no other significant causal effects were found of brain imaging-derived phenotypes (IDPs) on COVID-19. Notably, the COVID-19 hospitalization significantly increased the area and volume of the left caudal middle frontal gyrus (p_fdr = 0.012; p_fdr = 0.012, respectively). Additionally, COVID-19 severity was linked to the area, volume of the right caudal anterior-cingulate cortex and the volume of the right cuneus cortex (p_fdr = 0.023; p_fdr = 0.025; p_fdr = 0.026, respectively). In the CSF of COVID-19 patients, the median level of CHI3L1 was significantly higher (13677 pg/mL) compared to the DC group (8421 pg/mL, p < 1.00E-04). Similar trends were also found in CSF KLK6 and NGF-β. Additionally, the median NRGN level in plasma was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group (1013.00 pg/mL) compared to the control group (360.00 pg/mL, p = 6.50E-03). A subgroup analysis demonstrated that COVID-19 patients experiencing moderate to critical symptoms exhibited higher levels of GFAP in their CSF compared to those without. Elevated CSF levels of GFAP and S100B were also found in COVID-19 patients with decreased consciousness and comorbidities. This MR analysis provided evidence that SARS-CoV-2 may invade the human nervous system, as indicated by the increased levels of CSF biomarkers CHI3L1, NGF-β, and KLK6 in COVID-19 patients. These findings suggested that neuroinflammation could be a potential mechanism underlying the neurological complications seen in COVID-19 patients.

Advancing Prosthetic Hand Capabilities Through Biomimicry and Neural Interfaces.

Background and ObjectivesProsthetic hand development is undergoing a transformative phase, blending biomimicry and neural interface technologies to redefine functionality and sensory feedback. This article explores the symbiotic relationship between biomimetic design principles and neural interface technology (NIT) in advancing prosthetic hand capabilities.MethodsDrawing inspiration from biological systems, researchers aim to replicate the intricate movements and capabilities of the human hand through innovative prosthetic designs. Central to this endeavor is NIT, facilitating seamless communication between artificial devices and the human nervous system. Recent advances in fabrication methods have propelled brain-computer interfaces, enabling precise control of prosthetic hands by decoding neural activity.ResultsAnatomical complexities of the human hand underscore the importance of understanding biomechanics, neuroanatomy, and control mechanisms for crafting effective prosthetic solutions. Furthermore, achieving the goal of a fully functional cyborg hand necessitates a multidisciplinary approach and biomimetic design to replicate the body's inherent capabilities. By incorporating the expertise of clinicians, tissue engineers, bioengineers, electronic and data scientists, the next generation of the implantable devices is not only anatomically and biomechanically accurate but also offer intuitive control, sensory feedback, and proprioception, thereby pushing the boundaries of current prosthetic technology.ConclusionBy integrating machine learning algorithms, biomechatronic principles, and advanced surgical techniques, prosthetic hands can achieve real-time control while restoring tactile sensation and proprioception. This manuscript contributes novel approaches to prosthetic hand development, with potential implications for enhancing the functionality, durability, and safety of the prosthetic limb.

Construction of Multicellular Neural Tissue Using Three-Dimensional Printing Technology: Cell Interaction.

The study of the human nervous system remains challenging due to its inherent complexity and difficulty in obtaining original samples. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a rapidly evolving technology in the field of tissue engineering that has made significant contributions to several disciplines, including neuroscience. In order to more accurately reflect the intricate multicellular milieu of the invivo environment, an increasing number of studies have commenced experimentation with the coprinting of diverse cell types. This article provides an overview of technical details and the application of 3D bioprinting with multiple cell types in the field of neuroscience, focusing on the challenges of coprinting and the research conducted based on multicellular printing. This review discusses cell interactions in coprinting systems, stem cell applications, the construction of brain-like organoids, the establishment of disease models, and the potential for integrating 3D bioprinting with other 3D culture techniques.

EnSLDe: an enhanced short-range and long-range dependent system for brain tumor classification.

Brain tumors pose significant harm to the functionality of the human nervous system. There are lots of models which can classify brain tumor type. However, the available methods did not pay special attention to long-range information, which limits model accuracy improvement. To solve this problem, in this paper, an enhanced short-range and long-range dependent system for brain tumor classification, named as EnSLDe, is proposed. The EnSLDe model consists of three main modules: the Feature Extraction Module (FExM), the Feature Enhancement Module (FEnM), and the Classification Module. Firstly, the FExM is used to extract features and the multi-scale parallel subnetwork is constructed to fuse shallow and deep features. Then, the extracted features are enhanced by the FEnM. The FEnM can capture the important dependencies across a larger sequence range and retain critical information at a local scale. Finally, the fused and enhanced features are input to the classification module for brain tumor classification. The combination of these modules enables the efficient extraction of both local and global contextual information. In order to validate the model, two public data sets including glioma, meningioma, and pituitary tumor were validated, and good experimental results were obtained, demonstrating the potential of the model EnSLDe in brain tumor classification.

Diverse toxins exhibit a common binding mode to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Diverse toxins exhibit a common binding mode to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

A Cu2+-triggered turn-on fluorescence non-enzymatic probe based on covalent organic framework for the detection of methyl parathion.

A Cu2+-triggered turn-on fluorescence non-enzymatic probe based on covalent organic framework for the detection of methyl parathion.

A light in the darkness: Early phases of development and the emergence of cognition.

A light in the darkness: Early phases of development and the emergence of cognition.

ҚОЙ ЕТІНЕН КЕСЕК ЕТ ТАҒАМДАР ТЕХНОЛОГИЯСЫН ЖАСАУ

This study aims to increase polyunsaturated fatty acids in sheep meat with the addition of buckwheat flour and pumpkin juice. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially arachidonic, linoleic and linolenic acids, play an important role in the functioning of the human nervous system and cognitive processes. The results of the study showed that the addition of these components improves the nutritional value of the finished product and increases its functional properties. This study investigated the benefits of using buckwheat flour and pumpkin juice to improve the fatty acid composition of sheep meat. Buckwheat flour contains a high level of antioxidants and vitamins, which allows you to improve the nutritional value of the product. Pumpkin juice composition containing carotenoids and vitamin A improves antioxidant properties of the ready product. In addition, the results of the study showed an improvement in the overall nutritional composition and functionality of the finished product. This method helps to increase the beneficial properties of sheep meat, while maintaining its traditional nutritional qualities. Thus, the study opens up opportunities for enriching sheep meat with new functional products.

Advances in Detection Technologies for Pesticide Residues and Heavy Metals in Rice: A Comprehensive Review of Spectroscopy, Chromatography, and Biosensors.

Pesticide residues and heavy metals, originating from diverse sources such as agricultural practices and industrial activities, pose substantial risks to human health and the ecological environment. For instance, residues of organophosphorus pesticides may damage the human nervous system, while heavy metals such as mercury and cadmium accumulate in living organisms, potentially leading to severe organ damage. The contamination of rice with these pollutants has become a critical concern, necessitating the development of innovative detection techniques that are sensitive, accurate, rapid, portable, and intelligent. This review offers an in-depth analysis of the types, sources, health risks, and ecological impacts of pesticide residues and heavy metals in rice, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and solutions associated with these contaminants. It further provides the fundamental principles, comparative advantages, and technical constraints of both conventional and emerging detection methodologies. These encompass traditional analytical techniques such as spectroscopy and chromatography, well-established immunoassay systems, as well as innovative biosensing technologies. This discussion is substantiated with representative case studies demonstrating their practical applications in rice quality assessment and safety testing. In addition, this review envisions future directions for the development of detection technologies, emphasizing the importance of miniaturization, multiplexed detection, integration with nanotechnology, and real-time monitoring systems. By providing a theoretical foundation for advancing food safety innovation, this review aims to contribute to the ongoing efforts to ensure rice quality and safety, protect public health, and preserve ecological balance.

Emerging Liquid-Based Memristive Devices for Neuromorphic Computation.

To mimic the neural functions of the human brain, developing hardware with natural similarities to the human nervous system is crucial for realizing neuromorphic computing architectures. Owing to their capability to emulate artificial neurons and synapses, memristors are widely regarded as a leading candidate for achieving neuromorphic computing. However, most current memristor devices are solid-state. In contrast, biological nervous systems operate within an aqueous environment, and the human brain accomplishes intelligent behaviors such as information generation, transmission, and memory by regulating ion transport in neuronal cells. To achieve computing systems that are more analogous to biological systems and more energy-efficient, memristor devices based on liquid environments are developed. In contrast to traditional solid-state memristors, liquid-based memristors possess advantages such as anti-interference, low energy consumption, and low heat generation. Simultaneously, they demonstrate excellent biocompatibility, rendering them an ideal option for the next generation of artificial intelligence systems. Numerous experimental demonstrations of liquid-based memristors are reported, showcasing their unique memristive properties and novel neuromorphic functionalities. This review focuses on the recent developments in liquid-based memristors, discussing their operating mechanisms, structures, and functional characteristics. Additionally, the potential applications and development directions of liquid-based memristors in neuromorphic computing systems are proposed.

Organic Artificial Nerves: Neuromorphic Robotics and Bioelectronics.

Neuromorphic electronics are inspired by the human brain's compact, energy-efficient nature and its parallel-processing capabilities. Beyond the brain, the entire human nervous system, with its hierarchical structure, efficiently preprocesses complex sensory information to support high-level neural functions such as perception and memory. Emulating these biological processes, artificial nerve electronics have been developed to replicate the energy-efficient preprocessing observed in human nerves. These systems integrate sensors, artificial neurons, artificial synapses, and actuators to mimic sensory and motor functions, surpassing conventional circuits in sensor-integrated electronics. Organic synaptic transistors (OSTs) are key components in constructing artificial nerves, offering tunable synaptic plasticity for complex sensory processing and the mechanical flexibility required for applications in soft robotics and bioelectronics. Compared to traditional sensor-integrated electronics, early implementations of organic artificial nerves (OANs) incorporating OSTs have demonstrated a higher signal-to-noise ratio, lower power consumption, and simpler circuit designs along with on-device processing capabilities and precise control of actuators and biological limbs, driving progress in neuromorphic robotics and bioelectronics. This paper reviews the materials, device engineering, and system integration of the OAN design, highlights recent advancements in neuromorphic robotics and bioelectronics utilizing the OANs, and discusses current challenges and future research directions.

The conductance of KCNQ2 and its pathogenic variants is determined by individual subunit gating.

KCNQ2 channel subunits form part of the M-current and underlie one of the major potassium currents throughout the human nervous system, regulating resting membrane potentials, shaping action potentials, and impeding repetitive neuronal firing. However, how individual subunits within tetramers control channel functionality remains unresolved. Here, we investigate (i) whether opening of KCNQ2 channels requires a concerted step or can result from independent subunit activation and (ii) how individual subunits regulate gate opening and conductance. The E140R mutation in the S2 segment prevents activated voltage sensor conformations, but concatemeric constructs containing up to three E140R subunits retain KCNQ2-like currents. The underlying single-channel currents show subconductance levels resulting from limitations in inner gate dimensions, determined by the number of activated subunits and their spatial arrangement. Channel opening is allosteric and requires activation of only a single subunit, which can accentuate the influence of clinically relevant heterozygous mutations at threshold voltages.

Expression of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 (FGFR3) in the Human Peripheral Nervous System: Implications for the Putative Pathogenic Role of FGFR3 Autoantibodies in Neuropathy.

Autoantibodies to the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 (FGFR3-AAbs) have been associated with idiopathic sensory-predominant neuropathy. The pathogenicity of FGFR3-AAbs in this disorder is unknown. Pathogenic mechanisms of autoantibodies in other dysimmune neuropathies commonly involve their direct binding to antigens on either neurons or glia. The expression of FGFR3 in the human peripheral nervous system is unknown. Therefore, as an initial step toward clarifying the pathogenicity of FGFR3-AAbs, we characterized the expression of FGFR3 in nerve (hNerve), dorsal root ganglia (hDRG) and spinal cord (hSC) in human. FGFR3 mRNA was assayed via in situ hybridization (ISH) on post-mortem sections of hNerve, hDRG and hSC, and by re-analysis of RNA-sequencing data from hDRG. FGFR3 protein was assayed in these tissues using capillary electrophoretic immunoassays (CEIA) with several validated anti-FGFR3 antibodies. FGFR3 mRNA was not detected in hNerve or hDRG but was abundant in hSC by ISH. FGFR3 protein was absent from hNerve and hDRG by CEIA but was moderately expressed in hSC. A direct pathogenic mechanism of FGFR3-AAbs in sensory neuropathy would require the expression of FGFR3 in either neurons or non-neuronal cells in nerve or DRG. Using multiple methods, we did not detect FGFR3 expression at the mRNA or protein levels in these tissues. Given the absence of FGFR3 from hNerve and hDRG, it is improbable that FGFR3-AAbs cause direct damage to the neural components involved in neuropathy and thus are unlikely to be pathogenic, although indirect mechanisms via non-neural cells cannot be excluded.