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The dependence of the curcumin loading capacity (CLC) of octenylsuccinate oat β-glucan (OSG) micelles on the structural parameters (degree of substitution, DS; molecular weight, Mw) of OSG was unknown and explored in this study. Meanwhile, the curcumin-loaded OSG micelle (COM) was first characterized. The results from response surface methodology revealed that the linear effects of Mw and stirrer input power, as well as the quadratic effect of DS, were significant (p < 0.05). The maximum CLC value of the OSG micelle was obtained as 4.21 μg/mg. Dynamic light scattering showed that the average size and ζ potential of the COM were 308 nm and -10.8 mV, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy evidenced that the COM was elliptical in shape. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimeltry, and X-ray diffraction revealed that curcumin was loaded in OSG micelles in an amorphous form by interacting with OSG molecules.

Graphical Abstract Highlights d DS neurons in a non-dorsal visual area (V2) were studied with map-guided recordings d V2 DS neurons exhibit features distinct from the DS neurons in the dorsal area MT d Clusters of V2 DS neurons form functional architectures sensitive to motion contrast d Response properties of V2 DS neurons are suitable for figureground segregation SUMMARY In the primate visual system, direction-selective (DS) neurons are critical for visual motion perception. While DS neurons in the dorsal visual pathway have been well characterized, the response properties of DS neurons in other major visual areas are largely unexplored. Recent optical imaging studies in monkey visual cortex area 2 (V2) revealed clusters of DS neurons. This imaging method facilitates targeted recordings from these neurons. Using optical imaging and single-cell recording, we characterized detailed response properties of DS neurons in macaque V2. Compared with DS neurons in the dorsal areas (e.g., middle temporal area [MT]), V2 DS neurons have a smaller receptive field and a stronger antagonistic surround. They do not code speed or plaid motion but are sensitive to motion contrast. Our results suggest that V2 DS neurons play an important role in figure-ground segregation. The clusters of V2 DS neurons are likely specialized functional systems for detecting motion contrast.

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