Our graph theory analysis of diffusion-tensor imaging data demonstrate a decreased characteristic path length, increased global efficiency, and increased clustering coefficient in childhood autism spectrum disorder compared typical development. Our findings also indicate an altered network organization, especially in the basal ganglia and paralimbic-limbic networks in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder. These altered patterns of global and local topologic properties may underlie the abnormal brain development process in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder and contribute to the neurophysiologic mechanisms involved. Purpose To investigate the topologic architecture of white matter connectivity networks in preschool-aged children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) versus typical development (TD). Materials and Methods Forty-two participants were enrolled, including 21 preschool children with ASD (14 male children and seven female children; mean age, 4.56 years ± 0.97 [standard deviation]) and 21 children with TD (11 males and 10 females; mean age, 5.13 years ± 0.82). The diagnosis of ASD was determined according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Global Assessment of Functioning scores (mean score, 8.00 ± 0.50). All participants underwent diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) and T2-weighted imaging on a 3-T magnetic resonance system. A graph theoretical analysis was applied to investigate the topologic organization of the brain network including global and local topologic parameters. Statistical analysis was then performed for the comparison between the groups. Results Compared with...

The aim of this study is to explore the effect progranulin (PGRN) has on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the NF‐κB activation in reactive astrocytes found in rat models with focal cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury. Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats were grouped into the sham, I/R, PGRN‐high dose, PGRN‐low dose, and negative control (NC) groups. TTC staining was applied in order to detect the cerebral infarction volume, a TUNEL assay to detect the apoptosis rate of neurons, an ELISA to measure MDA, SOD, iNOS, LDH, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐10 levels, and both RT‐qPCR and western blotting methods in order to detect PGRN, GFAP, GRP78, CHOP, and NF‐κB p65 expressions. The astrocytes (AST) cells were then assigned into the normal, I/R, negative control (NC), PGRN‐high dose, and PGRN‐low dose groups. After completing the transfection process, the proliferative capacity of AST cells was detected by use of the CCK‐8 assay. Both the in vivo and in vitro results, in comparison with the I/R and the NC groups, the PGRN‐high dose and PGRN‐low dose groups both presented a decrease in cerebral infarction volume, apoptosis rate of neurons, MDA, LDH, iNOS, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6 levels, and GFAP, GRP78, CHOP, NF‐κB p65 expressions, and an increase in SOD, IL‐10, and PGRN levels as well as cell proliferation depending on dosage. Based on our results, we came to the confirmation that PGRN can reduce neuronal apoptosis by mitigating ER stress in the reactive astrocytes as well as downregulating the inflammatory levels by suppressing the NF‐κB signaling pathway.

Introduction: Many studies have provided evidence of a damage effect triggered by total sleep deprivation (TSD). However, it remains unclear whether the motor preparation processing is affected by TSD.Methods: In the current study, 23 volunteers performed a stimulus-response compatibility visual search task before and after TSD while undergoing spontaneous electroencephalography (EEG).Results: Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that: Compared with that at baseline, the visual search task’s accuracy decreased after TSD, while the response time variance increased significantly. The peak amplitude of the stimulus-locked lateralized readiness potential (LRP) induced by a compatible stimulus was significantly more negative than that induced by an incompatible stimulus before TSD, whereas this difference was not significant after TSD. However, when taking sleep status into consideration, there were no significant main or interaction effects on response-locked LRPs.Discussion: Our findings suggest that TSD damages visual search behavior, selectively impairs the earlier sub-stages of motor preparation (sensory integration). These findings will provide a new perspective for understanding the effects of sleep loss.