Toward Building Hybrid Biological/in silico Neural Networks for Motor Neuroprosthetic Control

WOS: 000370402900001PubMed ID: 26321943In this article, we introduce the Bioinspired Neuroprosthetic Design Environment (BNDE) as a practical platform for the development of novel brain-machine interface (BMI) controllers, which are based on spiking model neurons. We built the BNDE around a hard real-time system so that it is capable of creating simulated synapses from extra-cellularly recorded neurons to model neurons. In order to evaluate the practicality of the BNDE for neuroprosthetic control experiments, a novel, adaptive BMI controller was developed and tested using real-time closed-loop simulations. The present controller consists of two in silico medium spiny neurons, which receive simulated synaptic inputs from recorded motor cortical neurons. In the closed-loop simulations, the recordings from the cortical neurons were imitated using an external, hardware-based neural signal synthesizer. By implementing a reward-modulated spike timing-dependent plasticity rule, the controller achieved perfect target reach accuracy for a two-target reaching task in one-dimensional space. The BNDE combines the flexibility of software-based spiking neural network (SNN) simulations with powerful online data visualization tools and is a low-cost, PC-based, and all-in-one solution for developing neurally inspired BMI controllers. We believe that the BNDE is the first implementation, which is capable of creating hybrid biological/in silico neural networks for motor neuroprosthetic control and utilizes multiple CPU cores for computationally intensive real-time SNN simulations.Bogazici University BAP Grants [10XD3]; Bogazici University Life Sciences and Technologies Research Center [09K120520]This research was supported by Bogazici University BAP Grants #10XD3 and Bogazici University Life Sciences and Technologies Research Center #09K120520

Interrupted inferior vena cava and partial anomalous pulmonary venous return with atrial septal defect in a 38-year-old adult: a case report

We present a woman having congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava and partial anomalous pulmonary venous return from the right lung with atrial septal defect in a 38-year-old. Congenital anomalies of inferior vena cava are rare. They are seen more often in young males. If there are not other anomalies, they are latent for a long time. Peripheral venous thrombosis, chronic venous insufficiency, dyspnea and fatigue are often the first symptoms of these anomalies. Surgical repair of atrial septal defect with partial anomalous pulmonary venous return include provision of durably unobstructed systemic and pulmonary venous pathways, closure of the atrial septal defect, and avoidance of arrhythmias. The diagnosis has been determined by compression ultrasonography with color doppler assessment, multidetector computed tomography angiography and echocardiography

Comparing different amplitude thresholds in extracellular neural recordings Hücre dişi sinirsel kayitlarda farkli genlik eşiklerinin karşilaştirilmasi

Hücre dışı sinirsel kayıtlardan bilgi çıkarımında genlik eşikleri kullanılmaktadır. Genlik eşiği davranış değişkenlerinin sinirsel etkinlikte en yüksek işaret-gürültü oranıyla kodlanmasını sağlayacak şekilde kestirilebildiği gibi en yüksek olabilirlikle de kestirilebilmektedir. Bu çalışmada bu iki eşik türü iyi öğrenilmiş bir görsel-motor görev sırasında iki sıçanın motor korteksinden (M1) kaydedilen hücre dışı kayıtlar kullanılarak kestirilmiştir ve kestirilen eşik değerleri karşılaştırılmıştır. Sonuçlar bu iki eşik türü arasında anlamlı bir fark bulunmadığını göstermektedir. Ayrıca en yüksek olabilirlikle kestirilen eşik değerinin güven aralığının genişliğinin şifre çözüm doğruluğu ile ilintili olduğu bulunmuştur. Bu sonuçlar beyin-makine ara yüzlerinde kullanılacak uygun genlik eşiklerinin belirlenmesi açısından önemlidir.Amplitude thresholds are used in extracting information from extracellular neural recordings. While the amplitude threshold may be estimated by ensuring that behavioral variables are encoded in neural activity with maximum signal-to-noise ratio, it can also be estimated by maximum likelihood. Here, these two types of threshold are estimated using extracellular recordings collected from the motor cortex (M1) of two rats performing a well-learned visuomotor task and the estimates are compared. The results show that these two types of threshold are not significantly different. On the other hand, the width of the confidence interval of the maximum likelihood estimate is found to be related to decoding accuracy. These results are important for determining appropriate amplitude thresholds to be used in brain-machine interfaces

THE EFFECTS OF THE PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS ON ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES

This study describes in vitro the effect of three plant growth regulators (PGRs) such as mepiquat chloride, beta-naphthoxyacetic acid and gibberellic acid on the human blood antioxidant enzyme activites of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Enzyme activities have determined spectrophotometrically. PGRs have different effects on antioxidant enzyme activities. I-50 values of PGRs on antioxidant enzymes were determined by means of PGR concentration-activity % graph. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were changed by different concentrations of PGRs. PGRs behaved as an inhibitor on the antioxidant enzymes. The inhibition power of PGRs was different from enzyme to enzyme. The most power inhibitor for all enzymes studied was gibberellic acid, followed by beta-naphthoxyacetic acid and mepiquat chloride. When I-50 values compared with the results of metal ions in literature, PGRs had more inhibition powder than the metal ions. PGR toxicity caused a significant decrease in the antioxidant enzyme activity

The effects of vitamin D, C, E and zinc supplementation in chronic non specific low back pain

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D3, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc supplements on pain and functional capacity in Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP).Methods: 20 patients (female/male:10/10) with CLBLP, aged between 28 and 57 years (mean age: 41.25±9.12), participated in the study. Mcgill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) was used to measure the state of pain. Pain-related functional capacity was evaluated through Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) used to assess fear-avoiding beliefs based on physical activity and the effects of work in chronic low back pain. The Finger Floor Test (FFT)used to assess the flexibility of trunk flexion. Evaluations were performed before and after treatment.&nbsp;Result: Before treatment; the mean of MPQ was 50,55±6,03, the mean of FFT was 5,5±2,35 cm, the mean of RMDQ was 14,9±2,38, the mean of FABQ was 50,7±5,68. After treatment; the mean of MPQ was 23,45±5,35, the mean of FFT was 2,45±0,89 cm, the mean of RMDQ was 6,95±1,70, the mean of FABQ was 22,5±5,73. The results were statistically significant difference between before and after assesment scores (p&lt;0,05).Conclusion: Vitamin D, C, E and zinc have been found to be effective in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain.</p

Evaluation of anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with acne vulgaris, and quality of life in their families

Background/Objectives: Dermatological diseases not only affect patients' lives but also the lives of their family members. Our aim was to evaluate anxiety and depression risk in patients with acne vulgaris and the effect of acne vulgaris on quality of life of the patients and their families. Methods: A total of 125 patients with acne vulgaris, 110 of their family members, and 100 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Patients with acne vulgaris were requested to complete the Acne Quality of Life Scale (AQOL) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) at the time of the first admission and 2 months later. The healthy volunteers were only asked to complete the HAD, and the family members filled out the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) at the time of the first admission and 2 months later. Results: The acne and control groups showed no significant differences between the HAD anxiety subscale (HAD-A) and HAD depression subscale (HAD-D) scores. The mean AQOL score of the patients was 6.8 ± 5.3. AQOL scores were positively correlated with HAD-A, HAD-D and FDLQI scores. The mean score of the FDLQI was 7.6 ± 5.3. FDLQI scores showed a statistically significant change after 2 months (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Acne vulgaris does not have an effect on quality of life and the risk of anxiety or depression. In the cases of acne, when the quality of life decreases, the risk of depression as well as anxiety increases and the quality of life of the family members is negatively affected. Acne vulgaris negatively affects the quality of life of the family members of the patients

Synchronous chondrosarcoma originating from two distant ribs

A chondrosarcoma is a rare bone tumour derived from cartilage-producing malignant mesenchymal cells. A 25-year-old male patient was operated upon to treat a chondrosarcoma arising in the left 2nd and 6th ribs. The tumour underwent en bloc wide resection in collaboration with a plastic surgeon for reconstruction of the resected area. Costal chondrasarcoma is very rare but chondrosarcoma arising from two ribs at the same time has not been reported before in the literature

Recent Advances in Lignin-Based Biofuel Production

Lignin is a polymer found in the cell walls of plants and is an important component of wood. Lignin-derived fuels have attracted attention as a means of producing biofuels from biomass in recent years. There are two basic methods for converting lignin into fuel: thermochemical and catalytic. Lignin-derived fuels have the potential to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, more research is needed to optimize the production of lignin-derived fuels and to determine their environmental impact. This review aims to evaluate the development of lignin-derived fuels from an economic and environmental point of view while presenting a broad perspective