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Analytical Methods : Advancing Methods... Jun 2024A nanoporous gold microelectrode (NPG-μE) was fabricated and used for Pb(II) detection in seawater samples square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The Au...
A nanoporous gold microelectrode (NPG-μE) was fabricated and used for Pb(II) detection in seawater samples square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The Au microelectrode (Au-μE) was fabricated by embedding a gold microfiber into a Pasteur pipette, and its surface was further modified by an anodization-electrochemical reduction (A-ECR) method, yielding the NPG-μE. The fabricated electrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) for electrochemical and structural morphological investigations. SWASV results show a Pb(II) stripping peak at around -0.05 V Ag/AgCl, sat. KCl, which is unusual for common Pb(II) detection (typically occurring at around -0.40 V) in anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) analysis. The Pb(II) detection at less negative stripping potential is more beneficial. Hence, it exhibited anti-interference properties with Cd(II), which is attributed to the preferential deposition and stripping of the target analyte on the low-indexed crystal planes of the NPG structure. The calibration plot obtained by SWASV was linear in the concentration range of 0.1-10 μM, and the detection limit was found to be 57 nM (correlation coefficient of 0.9974). The NPG microsensor presented a 15-fold enhanced current response compared to Au-μE, with excellent sensitivity (27.2 μA μM cm). The application of the NPG microsensor was examined by detecting Pb(II) in seawater samples, and a satisfactory performance was obtained.
PubMed: 38904354
DOI: 10.1039/d4ay00698d -
ACS Nano Jun 2024Although neuronal network models hold great potential for advancing neuroscience research, with the capacity to provide fundamental insights into mechanisms underlying...
Although neuronal network models hold great potential for advancing neuroscience research, with the capacity to provide fundamental insights into mechanisms underlying neuronal functions, the dynamics of cell communication within such networks remain poorly understood. Here, we develop a customizable, polymer modified three-dimensional gold microelectrode array with sufficient stability for high signal-to-noise, long-term, neuronal recording of cultured networks. By using directed spatial and temporal patterns of electrical stimulation of cells to explore synaptic-based communication, we monitored cell network dynamics over 3 weeks, quantifying communication capability using correlation heatmaps and mutual information networks. Analysis of synaptic delay and signal speed between cells enabled us to establish a communication connectivity model. We anticipate that our discoveries of the dynamic changes in communication across the neuronal network will provide a valuable tool for future studies in understanding health and disease as well as in developing effective platforms for evaluating therapies.
PubMed: 38902594
DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c03983 -
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in... Jun 2024Developing real-time, dynamic, and in situ analytical methods with high spatial and temporal resolutions is crucial for exploring biochemical processes in the brain....
Developing real-time, dynamic, and in situ analytical methods with high spatial and temporal resolutions is crucial for exploring biochemical processes in the brain. Although in vivo electrochemical methods based on carbon fiber (CF) microelectrodes are effective in monitoring neurochemical dynamics during physiological and pathological processes, complex post modification hinders large-scale productions and widespread neuroscience applications. Herein, we develop a general strategy for the in situ engineering of carbon-based materials to mass-produce functional CFs by introducing polydopamine to anchor zeolitic imidazolate frameworks as precursors, followed by one-step pyrolysis. This strategy demonstrates exceptional universality and design flexibility, overcoming complex post-modification procedures and avoiding the delamination of the modification layer. This simplifies the fabrication and integration of functional CF-based microelectrodes. Moreover, we design highly stable and selective H+, O2, and ascorbate microsensors and monitor the influence of CO2 exposure on the O2 content of the cerebral tissue during physiological and ischemia-reperfusion pathological processes.
PubMed: 38898543
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202407063 -
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach,... Jun 2024Despite of the substantial potential of human-derived retinal organoids, the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) during maturation limits their utility in...
Despite of the substantial potential of human-derived retinal organoids, the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) during maturation limits their utility in assessing the functionality of later-born retinal cell subtypes. Additionally, conventional analyses primarily rely on fluorescent emissions, which limits the detection of actual cell functionality while risking damage to the three-dimensional (3D) cytoarchitecture of organoids. Here, we present an electrophysiological analysis to monitor RGC development in early to mid-stage retinal organoids, and compare distinct features with fully-mature mouse retina. Our approach utilizes high-resolution 3D printing of liquid-metal microelectrodes, enabling precise targeting of specific inner retinal layers within organoids. The adaptable distribution and softness of these microelectrodes facilitate the spatiotemporal recording of inner retinal signals. Our study not only demonstrates the functional properties of RGCs in retinal organoid development but also provides insights into their synaptic connectivity, reminiscent of fetal native retinas. Further comparison with fully-mature mouse retina in vivo verifies the organoid features, highlighting the potential of early-stage retinal organoids in biomedical research. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PubMed: 38896876
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202404428 -
Biophysics Reviews Jun 2024Microelectrode recordings from human peripheral and cranial nerves provide a means to study both afferent and efferent axonal signals at different levels of detail, from...
Microelectrode recordings from human peripheral and cranial nerves provide a means to study both afferent and efferent axonal signals at different levels of detail, from multi- to single-unit activity. Their analysis can lead to advancements both in diagnostic and in the understanding of the genesis of neural disorders. However, most of the existing computational toolboxes for the analysis of microneurographic recordings are limited in scope or not open-source. Additionally, conventional burst-based metrics are not suited to analyze pathological conditions and are highly sensitive to distance of the microelectrode tip from the active axons. To address these challenges, we developed an open-source toolbox that offers advanced analysis capabilities for studying neuronal reflexes and physiological responses to peripheral nerve activity. Our toolbox leverages the observation of temporal sequences of action potentials within inherently cyclic signals, introducing innovative methods and indices to enhance analysis accuracy. Importantly, we have designed our computational toolbox to be accessible to novices in biomedical signal processing. This may include researchers and professionals in healthcare domains, such as clinical medicine, life sciences, and related fields. By prioritizing user-friendliness, our software application serves as a valuable resource for the scientific community, allowing to extract advanced metrics of neural activity in short time and evaluate their impact on other physiological variables in a consistent and standardized manner, with the final aim to widen the use of microneurography among researchers and clinicians.
PubMed: 38895135
DOI: 10.1063/5.0202385 -
Cell Death & Disease Jun 2024Tauopathies are characterised by the pathological accumulation of misfolded tau. The emerging view is that toxic tau species drive synaptic dysfunction and potentially...
Tauopathies are characterised by the pathological accumulation of misfolded tau. The emerging view is that toxic tau species drive synaptic dysfunction and potentially tau propagation before measurable neurodegeneration is evident, but the underlying molecular events are not well defined. Human non-mutated 0N4R tau (tau) and P301L mutant 0N4R tau (tau) were expressed in mouse primary cortical neurons using adeno-associated viruses to monitor early molecular changes and synaptic function before the onset of neuronal loss. In this model tau was differentially phosphorylated relative to tau with a notable increase in phosphorylation at ser262. Affinity purification - mass spectrometry combined with tandem mass tagging was used to quantitatively compare the tau and tau interactomes. This revealed an enrichment of tau with ribosomal proteins but a decreased interaction with the proteasome core complex and reduced tau degradation. Differences in the interaction of tau with members of a key synaptic calcium-calmodulin signalling pathway were also identified, most notably, increased association with CaMKII but reduced association with calcineurin and the candidate AD biomarker neurogranin. Decreased association of neurogranin to tau corresponded with the appearance of enhanced levels of extracellular neurogranin suggestive of potential release or leakage from synapses. Finally, analysis of neuronal network activity using micro-electrode arrays showed that overexpression of tau promoted basal hyperexcitability coincident with these changes in the tau interactome and implicating tau in specific early alterations in synaptic function.
Topics: Animals; tau Proteins; Humans; Mice; Neurons; Phosphorylation; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; Tauopathies; Synapses; Neurogranin; Calcineurin
PubMed: 38890273
DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06815-2 -
Operative Neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.) Jun 2024Long-term outcomes in deep brain stimulation (DBS) depend on accuracy of lead placement. Microelectrode recording (MER) is a long-used adjunct to leverage...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Long-term outcomes in deep brain stimulation (DBS) depend on accuracy of lead placement. Microelectrode recording (MER) is a long-used adjunct to leverage neurophysiological information to confirm satisfactory trajectory of implanted electrodes. The goal of this study was to evaluate the consistency in which electrodes are placed in sampled microelectrode trajectories.
METHODS
This is a retrospective study using intraoperative computed tomography to measure final electrode deviation from MER probe placement during the DBS insertion targeting subthalamic nucleus. Fifteen patients had 29 DBS leads placed using MER assistance. Radial distance between the probe and the lead were measured for each patient using intraoperative imaging. In addition, the preoperative target to final lead error was measured in 14 patients undergoing subthalamic nucleus implants without the use of MER and compared with the 15 patients in which MER was used as an adjunct.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the mean radial target error (1.2 vs 1.0 mm, P = .156) when comparing the leads placed with or without MER assistance, respectively. The mean difference in final position of microelectrode compared with DBS lead was 0.9 ± 0.1 (range 0.4-2.0 mm). Of all MER-assisted electrodes placed, 44.8% (13) of electrode final positions radially deviated 1.0 mm or more from the MER probe.
CONCLUSION
Electrode placement may deviate significantly from MER trajectories. Given the concern that physiological data may not be representative of the final electrode trajectory, surgeons should consider using intraoperative imaging or other adjunctive techniques during DBS to confirm accuracy and satisfactory trajectory of DBS leads.
PubMed: 38888341
DOI: 10.1227/ons.0000000000001224 -
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental... 2024Osseointegration commences with foreign body inflammation upon implant placement, where macrophages play a crucial role in the immune response. Subsequently, during the...
Osseointegration commences with foreign body inflammation upon implant placement, where macrophages play a crucial role in the immune response. Subsequently, during the intermediate and late stages of osseointegration, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) migrate and initiate their osteogenic functions, while macrophages support MSCs in osteogenesis. The utilization of ferroelectric P(VDF-TrFE) covered ITO planar microelectrodes facilitated the simulation of various surface charge to investigate their effects on MSCs' osteogenic differentiation and macrophage polarization and the results indicated a parabolic increase in the promotional effect of both with the rise in piezoelectric coefficient. Furthermore, the surface charge with a piezoelectric coefficient of -18 exhibited the strongest influence on the promotion of M1 polarization of macrophages and the promotion of MSCs' osteogenic differentiation. The impact of macrophage polarization and MSC osteogenesis following the interaction of macrophages affected by surface charge and MSC was ultimately investigated. It was observed that macrophages affected by the surface charge of -18 piezoelectric coefficient still exerted the most profound induced osteogenic effect, validating the essential role of M1-type macrophages in the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs.
PubMed: 38887522
DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1401917 -
Nature Communications Jun 2024Despite decades of research, we still do not understand how spontaneous human seizures start and spread - especially at the level of neuronal microcircuits. In this...
Despite decades of research, we still do not understand how spontaneous human seizures start and spread - especially at the level of neuronal microcircuits. In this study, we used laminar arrays of micro-electrodes to simultaneously record the local field potentials and multi-unit neural activities across the six layers of the neocortex during focal seizures in humans. We found that, within the ictal onset zone, the discharges generated during a seizure consisted of current sinks and sources only within the infra-granular and granular layers. Outside of the seizure onset zone, ictal discharges reflected current flow in the supra-granular layers. Interestingly, these patterns of current flow evolved during the course of the seizure - especially outside the seizure onset zone where superficial sinks and sources extended into the deeper layers. Based on these observations, a framework describing cortical-cortical dynamics of seizures is proposed with implications for seizure localization, surgical targeting, and neuromodulation techniques to block the generation and propagation of seizures.
Topics: Humans; Seizures; Neocortex; Male; Electroencephalography; Adult; Female; Young Adult; Cerebral Cortex; Microelectrodes; Neurons
PubMed: 38886376
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48746-8 -
Journal of Neural Engineering Jun 2024Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are technologies that bypass damaged or disrupted neural pathways and directly decode brain signals to perform intended actions. BCIs...
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are technologies that bypass damaged or disrupted neural pathways and directly decode brain signals to perform intended actions. BCIs for speech have the potential to restore communication by decoding the intended speech directly. Many studies have demonstrated promising results using invasive micro-electrode arrays and electrocorticography. However, the use of stereo-electroencephalography (sEEG) for speech decoding has not been fully recognized.In this research, recently released sEEG data were used to decode Dutch words spoken by epileptic participants. We decoded speech waveforms from sEEG data using advanced deep-learning methods. Three methods were implemented: a linear regression method, an recurrent neural network (RNN)-based sequence-to-sequence model (RNN), and a transformer model.Our RNN and transformer models outperformed the linear regression significantly, while no significant difference was found between the two deep-learning methods. Further investigation on individual electrodes showed that the same decoding result can be obtained using only a few of the electrodes.This study demonstrated that decoding speech from sEEG signals is possible, and the location of the electrodes is critical to the decoding performance.
Topics: Humans; Deep Learning; Electroencephalography; Speech; Brain-Computer Interfaces; Male; Female; Epilepsy; Stereotaxic Techniques; Adult; Neural Networks, Computer
PubMed: 38885688
DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ad593a