The software helps to record the thoughts in the brain into writing on the computer. The combination of mental effort and modern technology has allowed a motionless man (T5) to communicate by text at a speed comparable to that of healthy colleagues texting. on smartphone. Study participant (T5) almost lost all mobility below the neck because of a spinal cord injury in 2007. The scientists placed two brain-computer interface chips, each about the same size. an aspirin pill, on the left side of T5’s brain. Each chip has 100 electrodes that pick up signals from trigger neurons in the motor cortex, an area on the outermost surface of the brain that governs hand movements. Those neural signals are sent over wires to a computer, where artificial intelligence algorithms decode the signal and infer the T5’s intended hand and finger movements. Algorithms were designed in Stanford’s Neural Prosthetic Translation Lab. T5 generated text at a rate of about 18 words per minute (the average person can say about 23 words per minute on a smartphone). Even, T5 then reached a record of 40 characters per minute. The study was published online May 12, 2021 in the journal Nature. It offers hope to hundreds of thousands of Americans and millions around the globe, who have lost the ability to use their upper limbs or speak due to spinal cord injury, stroke or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Recently, the team upgraded the technique to power and program the multipoint biostimulator from a single transmitter. Thanks to new research, electrical and computer engineer Kaiyuan Yang and colleagues at the George R. Brown School of Engineering (Rice University) won an award at the Society of Electrical and Electrical Engineers’ Custom Integrated Circuits Conference death (IEEE). The researchers performed experiments showing that an alternating magnetic field can be controlled by a battery-powered generator outside the body. The transmitter can be mounted on a belt or harness, powering and programming two or more implants at least 60 millimeters away. The implant can be programmed with a delay measured in microseconds. That could allow them to coordinate the activation of multiple wireless pacemakers in individual heart chambers, says engineer Yang. “Our study shows that it is possible to program the implants to stimulate in a coordinated pattern. We sync every device, like a symphony. That gives us a lot of scope in stimulant treatments, whether it’s for the heart rhythm or the spinal cord.” The scientists also experimented using small implants. Each tissue is about the size and weight of a vitamin. Experiments performed on hydra vulgaris rodents have demonstrated that, for at least a short distance, such devices can stimulate two separate hydras to contract. Then, activate a fluorescent tag to respond to electrical signals and respond at controlled amplitudes along the rodent’s sciatic nerve. “A study on spinal cord regeneration showed that multipoint stimulation in a certain pattern helps restore the nervous system. Several clinical studies are underway, but all are using desktop devices. There is no implantable tool that can do this,” said engineer Yang. Lab devices, called MagNI (for electromagnetic nerve implantation). MagNI was introduced early last year as a cordless spinal cord stimulator for power and programming. That means the wire does not need to be passed through the patient’s skin. Because, putting the wire through the skin is a method that can cause infection.

The team at Kyoto University Japan has created inducible pluripotent stem cells (iPS) that can overcome the immune system’s failure to accept transplanted cells in cell treatments. The research team is headed by lecturer Akitsu Hotta at the iPS Research and Application Center of Kyoto University. The team said they used gene editing to replace proteins on cell surfaces, which can cause the immune system to reject transplanted cells. According to the researchers, through animal testing and other means, they have confirmed that the iPS cells they generate reduce the risk of transplant rejection. IPS cells can be used to create cells that can regenerate any type of tissue in the body. Their method is able to generate 7 types of iPS cells and is applicable to more than 95% of the Japanese population. Previously, researchers at Keio University – Japan submitted a proposal to the Government for a clinical trial using iPS stem cells to treat patients with spinal cord injuries. Each year, about 5,000 people are said to lose the ability to move their limbs due to spinal cord injuries, the disease currently has no effective treatment. IPS cells can be used to create replacement cells for any tissue in the body. The team’s goal is to transplant cells into the patient so that these cells develop into nerve cells that transmit signals from the brain to restore the ability of the patient to move arms and legs. Japanese researchers have also made significant strides in their efforts to seek treatment for Parkinson’s disease (fibrillation paralysis). According to the group of researchers, for the first time in the world they have successfully transplanted iPS stem cells into the patient’s brain. “We did the transplant for the first time. The patient is recovering well now ”. GS. Ryosuke Takahashi at Kyoto University said. They performed this groundbreaking surgery recently, which implanted 2.4 million iPS cells into the brain of a 50-year-old male patient. The purpose of this procedure is to prevent Parkinson’s disease from causing depleted neurons. business. The research team will follow the patient for about 2 years to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this method. Not stopping there, the above research group has developed iPS into the precursor cells of the reproductive cells. These cells were then cultured for about 3 months, in the same box as the oocytes isolated from the pups. The team claims to have obtained spherical cells with large cell nuclei. After analyzing the shape and characteristics of these cells, the team concluded that these are oocytes, the precursors of oocytes. The team says the work will help develop techniques for making human eggs from induction pluripotent stem cells. They can explain the cause of infertility through research on egg formation. Stem cells can develop into every other type of cell in the body. Breakthroughs … The pioneer in this technology is the laboratory of GS. Shinya Yamanaka at Kyoto University, Japan. In 2006, he published four genes with specially coded transcription factors that help transform from adult cells to multipotential stem cells. Together with Professor John Gurdon, he was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Biomedical Sciences for “discoveries of adult cells that have the ability to be reprogrammed to become multi-potential stem cells”. Previous studies have concerned that reprogramming adult cells into iPS poses major risks, making the method limited in humans. For example, if a virus is used to alter the genotype in a cell, some oncogene expression genes are likely to be activated. However, scientists have announced the invention of a technology that helps to remove cancer-causing genes after multi-potential induction, making the application of iPS in the treatment of human diseases become more feasible. time is over. Currently, iPS cells are opening up a promising research direction in the treatment of genetic diseases in humans such as Down or polycystic kidney disease. In addition, iPS cells from impaired patients, which are not observed in iPS cells from healthy people, also provide additional physiological insights into these diseases. Nguyen Hung ( (Theo japantimes, nature) )

The rare disease ‘lurks’ through pain in the neck and neck pain

Ms. H. was admitted to the hospital for examination in the condition of pain in the neck and neck area, right shoulder pain, and numbness increased for nearly 2 months. The pain symptoms are not related to movement, still pain, feeling heavy and reduce the strength of the right hand muscle during work. Symptoms do not improve with rest, massage, acupressure, or warm compresses.

Doctor Vu Hai Yen – Neuroscientist Specialist at Thu Cuc General Clinic – 32 Dai Tu, Hoang Mai, Hanoi, under Thu Cuc Medical System) said that Mrs. H. had a healthy history. family and 2 children, who are office workers and travel regularly by motorbike. or degenerative cervical vertebrae, a common disease in office workers. But the special thing is that through the examination, patient H. does not recognize heat and cold in his right hand, does not know pain even though his right arm is cut, his left arm is still normal. In addition, the tendon reflexes in the patient’s right arm are also reduced, even without reflexes. In the presence of these suspicious signs, I have assigned the patient to have a MRI of the spine and spinal cord to assess the condition of the injury and to rule out other related diseases..- Dr. Hai Yen said.

Magnetic resonance imaging MRI is considered “the gold standard” in the diagnosis of diseases of the brain, eye socket, spine, neck area, pelvic abdomen, musculoskeletal area, mammary gland … (illustration)

Diagnostic radiologist Nguyen Chi Phon – Thu Cuc General Clinic said: “In Ms. H.’s case, it was MRI of the spine and spinal cord with an injection of magnetic antagonist to detect nerve damage. This is the most reliable tool to diagnose hollow spinal disease. For those who suspect that the patient has a hollow spinal cord, if only X-ray or computerized CT scan is indicated, it will be difficult to accurately assess ”.

The image obtained from the MRI of Mrs. H.’s spinal cord MRI shows that in her spinal cord a hollow of fluid is formed, which accumulates to form cavities and cavities, this is a manifestation of the root. hollow marrow disease. Immediately after the results of the subclinical examination, Thu Cuc’s doctors consulted to determine the cause of the disease and find the best treatment for Ms. H.

Early detection is an important “key” to protect health even in rare cases

According to chiropractors, osteomyelitis is caused in the spinal cord forming a hollow in the center of the gray matter containing cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid accumulates to form cavities or cavities that grow and cause damage to the marrow, pinching nerves, making the disease manifest as movement disorders, sensory and nutritional disorders. The disease is often discovered by chance when examining related diseases or when having symptoms such as neck and neck pain, numbness of the hands, loss of feeling of muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, loss of tendon reflexes, loss of sensation. pain or heat, especially in the hands.

It is known that syringomyelia is an uncommon chronic disease in the spinal cord with the incidence of 8.4 / 100 000 and is common in the age of 20-50 years old .. The disease can be found in the neck, chest. and lumbar, however, the most common prevalence lies in the border between the cervical and thoracic marrow.

There are many causes of myelosuppression, including some idiopathic cases (the cause cannot be determined). Some have root causes such as: birth defects of the spine; after injury; lumbar spondylitis …

The pulp is empty due to the formation in the cavity containing fluid to gradually develop, causing pressure and damage to the marrow. (illustration)

There are many causes of myelosuppression, including some idiopathic cases (the cause cannot be determined). Some have root causes such as: birth defects of the spine; after injury; lumbar spondylitis …

In Ms. H.’s case, she was idiopathic, so doctors advised that she should visit regularly every 2 months, take MRI every 6 months to evaluate and supplement vitamins of group B, Using some medicines to help relieve the symptoms of fatigue, numbness. It is necessary to limit the work that needs a lot of bending, the jobs that need sophistication in the right hand, especially the right hand. In addition, the patient needs to exercise spinal cord damage rehabilitation exercises. If the severity causes many neurological deficiencies, doctors may have to prescribe surgical intervention to draw fluid in the hollow canal to release a compression of the marrow, stopping the progression of the disease, because the empty marrow is not present. There is a radical treatment.

Currently, Thu Cuc Medical System is equipped with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) systems in all affiliated facilities. This is considered as the “gold standard” to help detect and early detect many diseases in important organs such as the brain, abdomen, spine, joints, … this helps detect many diseases including diseases. difficult and rare cases, from which there is a way to promptly handle and intervene. In addition, the leading team of endocrine specialists in Thu Cuc will directly examine and consult interdisciplinary not to “fall” the disease and advise the best treatment for patients. Contact Thu Cuc Health System by phone number 0904.97.0909 to make an appointment.