Spectral ripple discrimination (SRD) has been widely used to evaluate the spectral resolution in cochlear implant (CI) recipients based on its strong correlation with speech perception performance. ...However, despite its usefulness for predicting speech perception outcomes, SRD performance exhibits large across-subject variabilities even among subjects implanted with the same CIs and sound processors. The potential factors of this observation include current spread, nerve survival, and CI mapping. Previous studies have found that the spectral resolution reduces with increasing distance of the stimulation electrode from the auditory nerve fibers (ANFs), attributable to increasing current spread. However, it remains unclear whether the spread of excitation is the only cause of the observation, or whether other factors such as temporal interaction also contribute to it. In this study, we used a computational model to investigate channel interaction upon non-simultaneous stimulation with respect to the electrode-ANF distance, and evaluated the SRD performance for five electrode-ANF distances. The SRD performance was determined based on the similarity between two neurograms in response to standard and inverted stimuli and used to evaluate the spectral resolution in the computational model. The spread of excitation was observed to increase with increasing electrode-ANF distance, consistent with previous findings. Additionally, the preceding pulses delivered from neighboring channels induced a channel interaction that either inhibited or facilitated the neural responses to subsequent pulses depending on the electrode-ANF distance. The SRD performance was also found to decrease with increasing electrode-ANF distance. The findings of this study suggest that variation of the neural responses (inhibition or facilitation) with the electrode-ANF distance in CI users may cause spectral smearing, and hence poor spectral resolution. A computational model such as that used in this study is a useful tool for understanding the neural factors related to CI outcomes, such as cannot be accomplished by behavioral studies alone.
To determine whether categorical search is guided we had subjects search for teddy bear targets either with a target preview (specific condition) or without (categorical condition). Distractors were ...random realistic objects. Although subjects searched longer and made more eye movements in the categorical condition, targets were fixated far sooner than was expected by chance. By varying target repetition we also determined that this categorical guidance was not due to guidance from specific previously viewed targets. We conclude that search is guided to categorically-defined targets, and that this guidance uses a categorical model composed of features common to the target class.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a long-term neurodegenerative disease characterized by dopaminergic neuronal loss and the aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain. Cell therapy using ...regulatory T cells (Tregs) has therapeutic potential on PD progression in a mouse model; however, several challenges were associated with its applications. Here, we propose a strategy for α-syn specific Treg expansion (α-syn Treg). We presented α-syn to T cells via dendritic cells. This method increased the mobility of Tregs towards the site of abundant α-syn in vitro (p < 0.01; α-syn Tregs versus polyclonal Tregs (poly Tregs)) and in vivo. Consequently, α-syn Tregs showed noteworthy neuroprotective effects against motor function deficits (p < 0.05, p < 0.01; α-syn Tregs versus poly Tregs), dopaminergic neuronal loss (p < 0.001; α-syn Tregs versus poly Tregs), and α-syn accumulation (p < 0.05; α-syn Tregs versus poly Tregs) in MPTP-induced PD mice. Furthermore, the adoptive transfer of α-syn Tregs exerted immunosuppressive effects on activated microglia, especially pro-inflammatory microglia, in PD mice. Our findings suggest that α-syn presentation may provide a significant improvement in neuroprotective activities of Tregs and suggest the effective clinical application of Treg therapy in PD.
The aging global population is placing an increasing burden on healthcare systems, and the social impact of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is on the rise. However, the availability of safe and effective ...treatments for AD remains limited. Adoptive Treg therapy has been explored for treating neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. To facilitate the clinical application of Treg therapy, we developed a Treg preparation protocol and highlighted the therapeutic effects of Tregs in 5xFAD mice. CD4
CD25
Tregs, isolated after Aβ stimulation and expanded using a G-rex plate with a gas-permeable membrane, were adoptively transferred into 5xFAD mice. Behavioral analysis was conducted using Y-maze and passive avoidance tests. Additionally, we measured levels of Aβ, phosphorylated tau (pTAU), and nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) in the hippocampus. Real-time RT-PCR was employed to assess the mRNA levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory markers. Our findings indicate that Aβ-specific Tregs not only improved cognitive function but also reduced Aβ and pTAU accumulation in the hippocampus of 5xFAD mice. They also inhibited microglial neuroinflammation. These effects were observed at doses as low as 1.5 × 10
cells/head. Collectively, our results demonstrate that Aβ-specific Tregs can mitigate AD pathology in 5xFAD mice.
•We purified the phlorotannins for the first time using chromatographic methods.•Purified phlorotannins contents and recovery were 905mg PGE/g and 92%.•We developed the process for an ...industrial-scale purification of phlorotannins.
Phlorotannins are one of the most important bioactive polyphenols; however, their purification using chromatographic methods has not been explored. Here, we studied purification of phlorotannins from the crude phlorotannin extract (CPhE) of the brown seaweed Ecklonia cava using macroporous adsorption resins. For purification of phlorotannins, four resins (HP-20, SP-850, XAD-7HP, and XAD-2) were screened. Among them, HP-20 resin showed the highest adsorption and desorption capacities. In static adsorption tests, the adsorption capacity of HP-20 increased with increasing temperature (25–45°C). Optimal conditions for the dynamic experiments can be summarized as follows: total phlorotannin content (TPhC) in loading solution: 1.5mg PGE/mL, processing volume: 4 BV, flow rate: 1mL/min, temperature: 45°C, desorption solvent: 40% ethanol solution. After purification, TPhC (452mg PGE/g) and arsenic (180μg/g) of CPhE increased and decreased to 905mg PGE/g and 48μg/g, respectively. Recovery rate of phlorotannins from CPhE was 92%.
Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots have been attracting increasing research interest in recent years with particular attention to their development and integration into language classrooms. ...However, the attempts and discussions on how AI chatbots could support the learning of English for specific purposes (ESP) remain subpar. To address this gap, this article aimed to suggest possible ways to develop and apply AI chatbots for ESP, especially focusing on cabin crews’ English communication in their workplaces. A needs analysis consisting of ethnographic interviews and document analysis was conducted to identify the representative scenarios relevant to cabin crews’ duty, serving as the basis for the development of the AI chatbot. Thereafter, a pilot study was conducted with 24 cabin crews. Data were then analyzed based on thematic analysis, descriptive statistics, and frequency analysis using SPSS 24. The results revealed the cabin crews’ positive perceptions toward the chatbot, thereby supporting the educational value of the chatbot in the ESP field. The study also provided a list of implications for the future enhancement and application of AI chatbots for ESP. KCI Citation Count: 8
Trimethyltin (TMT) is a potent neurotoxicant that leads to hippocampal neurodegeneration. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in maintaining the immune balance in the central nervous ...system (CNS), but their activities are impaired in neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we aimed to determine whether adoptive transfer of Tregs, as a living drug, ameliorates hippocampal neurodegeneration in TMT-intoxicated mice.
CD4
CD25
Tregs were expanded in vitro and adoptively transferred to TMT-treated mice. First, we explored the effects of Tregs on behavioral deficits using the Morris water maze and elevated plus maze tests. Biomarkers related to memory formation, such as cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), protein kinase C (PKC), neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN), nerve growth factor (NGF), and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) in the hippocampus were examined by immunohistochemistry after killing the mouse. To investigate the neuroinflammatory responses, the polarization status of microglia was examined in vivo and in vitro using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, the inhibitory effects of Tregs on TMT-induced microglial activation were examined using time-lapse live imaging in vitro with an activation-specific fluorescence probe, CDr20.
Adoptive transfer of Tregs improved spatial learning and memory functions and reduced anxiety in TMT-intoxicated mice. Additionally, adoptive transfer of Tregs reduced neuronal loss and recovered the expression of neurogenesis enhancing molecules in the hippocampi of TMT-intoxicated mice. In particular, Tregs inhibited microglial activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine release in the hippocampi of TMT-intoxicated mice. The inhibitory effects of TMT were also confirmed via in vitro live time-lapse imaging in a Treg/microglia co-culture system.
These data suggest that adoptive transfer of Tregs ameliorates disease progression in TMT-induced neurodegeneration by promoting neurogenesis and modulating microglial activation and polarization.
The advancement of automated writing evaluation (AWE) has made it possible to complement instructor input with immediate scoring and qualitative feedback to inform students' writing development. ...However, little is known about the usefulness of AWE holistic scores for classroom purposes. In our longitudinal mixed-methods study, we utilized Criterion®, an AWE service developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS), to investigate the use of holistic scores in three university-level English as second language (ESL) writing courses. We investigated the correlation between AWE scores and instructors' numeric grades and analytic ratings on two major course assignments and analyzed AWE score use from the perspectives of three ESL writing instructors and 67 students. Quantitative analyses yielded a series of low to moderate positive correlations between Criterion scores and both the instructors' grades and analytic ratings, which raised issues in integrating the scores for pedagogical purposes; survey and interview data showed that instructors used Criterion scores strategically to gauge students' writing needs. The students also made efforts to revise their papers in order to get a higher score. These findings added to previous work on the usefulness of AWE programs and provided justification for use or non-use of automatically generated scores for classroom-based formative assessment.
Introduction Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) presents a growing health concern in pediatric populations due to its association with obesity and metabolic syndrome. ...Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) offers a non-invasive and potentially effective alternative for identifying MASLD risk in youth with overweight or obesity. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the utility of BIA for screening for MASLD in the youth. Method This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 206 children and adolescents aged <20 years who were overweight and obese. The correlations between anthropometric measurements and BIA parameters and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were assessed using Pearson’s correlation analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the associations between these parameters and ALT level elevation and MASLD score. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess the predictive ability of the parameters for MASLD. Results Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), percentage body fat (PBF), and BIA parameters combined with anthropometric measurements were correlated with ALT level. Logistic regression revealed that WHR, skeletal muscle mass/WHR, PBF-WHR, fat-free mass/WHR, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass/WHR were correlated with ALT level elevation after adjusting for age, sex, and puberty. WHR, PBF-WHR, and visceral fat area (VFA)-WHR were positively correlated with the MASLD score in the total population after adjusting for age, sex, and puberty. PBF-WHR and VFA-WHR were correlated with the MASLD score even in youth with a normal ALT level. The cutoff points and area under the ROC curves were 34.6 and 0.69 for PBF-WHR, respectively, and 86.6 and 0.79 for VFA-WHR, respectively. Discussion This study highlights the utility of combining BIA parameters and WHR in identifying the risk of MASLD in overweight and obese youth, even in those with a normal ALT level. BIA-based screening offers a less burdensome and more efficient alternative to conventional MASLD screening methods, facilitating early detection and intervention in youth at risk of MASLD.
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by lipids and calcareous accumulations in the vascular wall due to an inflammatory reaction. Recent reports have demonstrated that regulatory ...T (Treg) cells have an important role as a new treatment for atherosclerosis. This study suggests that bee venom phospholipase A2 (bvPLA2) may be a potential therapeutic agent in atherosclerosis by inducing Treg cells. We examined the effects of bvPLA2 on atherosclerosis using
and
/Foxp3
mice. In this study, bvPLA2 increased Treg cells, followed by a decrease in lipid accumulation in the aorta and aortic valve and the formation of foam cells. Importantly, the effect of bvPLA2 was found to depend on Treg cells. This study suggests that bvPLA2 can be a potential therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis.
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