The effect of target detection on memory retrieval.

Attention and memory are fundamental cognitive processes that closely interact. In the attentional boost effect (ABE), the stimuli that co-occur with targets are remembered better than those that co-occur with distractors in target detection tasks performed during memory encoding. In target detection tasks performed during retrieval, the stimuli that co-occur with targets are recognized as 'old' more easily than the stimuli that co-occur with distractors.

Aberrant temporal correlations of ongoing oscillations in disorders of consciousness on multiple time scales.

Unlabelled: Changes in neural oscillation amplitude across states of consciousness has been widely reported, but little is known about the link between temporal dynamics of these oscillations on different time scales and consciousness levels. To address this question, we analyzed amplitude fluctuation of the oscillations extracted from spontaneous resting-state EEG recorded from the patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) and healthy controls. Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) and measures of life-time and waiting-time were employed to characterize the temporal structure of EEG oscillations on long time scales (1-20 s) and short time scales (< 1 s), in groups with different consciousness states: patients in minimally conscious state (MCS), patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and healthy subjects.

Disrupted Control Architecture of Brain Network in Disorder of Consciousness.

The human brain controls various cognitive functions via the functional coordination of multiple brain regions in an efficient and robust way. However, the relationship between consciousness state and the control mode of brain networks is poorly explored. Using multi-channel EEG, the present study aimed to characterize the abnormal control architecture of functional brain networks in the patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC).

Altered inter-frequency dynamics of brain networks in disorder of consciousness.

Objective: Growing evidence have linked disorders of consciousness (DOC) with the changes in frequency-specific functional networks. However, the alteration of inter-frequency dynamics in brain networks remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the network integration and segregation across frequency bands in a multiplex network framework.

Characterization of network switching in disorder of consciousness at multiple time scales.

Objective: Recent works have shown that flexible information processing is closely related to the reconfiguration of human brain networks underlying brain functions. However, the role of network switching for consciousness is poorly explored and whether such transition can indicate the behavioral performance of patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) remains unknown. Here, we investigate the relationship between the switching of brain networks (states) over time and the consciousness levels.

Optical Depolarization of DCX-Expressing Cells Promoted Cognitive Recovery and Maturation of Newborn Neurons via the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway.

Electrical excitability by membrane depolarization is crucial for survival and maturation of newborn cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. However, traditional technology for membrane depolarization lacks temporal and spatial precision. Optogenetics can be used to activate channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), allowing cationic current to depolarize genetically targeted cells.

Quality of life and related factors in adult patients with epilepsy in China.

Objective: The objective of this work was to study the quality of life (QOL) of adult patients with epilepsy in northern China.

Methods: Three hundred three adult patients with epilepsy were identified using a strict procedure of diagnosis at the outpatient clinic of the epilepsy center, and then their QOL was evaluated with the Chinese version of the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-89.

Results: QOLIE-89 total score and many of the subscale scores were decreased.

Relationship between high-mobility group box 1 protein release and T-cell suppression in rats after thermal injury.

To study whether high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) has an effect on T-cell-mediated immunity secondary to burn injury, 96 male Wistar rats weighing 250 to 300 g were randomly divided into three groups as follows:sham burn group, burn group, and burn with ethyl pyruvate treatment group, and they were killed on postburn days (PBDs)1, 3, 5, and 7, respectively, with 8 animals at each time point. Columns of nylon wool were used to isolate splenic T cells. T-Cell proliferation was analyzed with thiazolyl blue and expression of IL-2 receptor alpha (IL-2Ralpha) on the surface of T cell with flow cytometry.

[The role of Janus kinase-signal transducer and transcription activator pathway in the regulation of synthesis and release of lipopolysaccharide-induced high mobility group box-1 protein].

Objective: To investigate the role of Janus kinase-signal transducer and transcription activator (JAK-STAT) pathway in the regulation of synthesis and release of lipopolysaccharide-induced high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1).

Methods: Peritoneal macrophages harvested from male Wistar rats were incubated for 3 days before the experiment. The activation of Janus kinase-2 (JAK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) and STAT3 was observed before and 10, 30, 60 and 120 mins after LPS stimulation (4 determinations at each time point) and it was expressed as A value (absorption).

[Effects of ethyl pyruvate on splenocyte proliferation and apoptosis in burn rats with delayed resuscitation].

Objective: To investigate the effects of ethyl pyruvate (EP) on splenocyte proliferation and apoptosis in burn rats with delayed resuscitation, and its potential underlying mechanism.

Methods: Seventy two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-scalded control group (n=24), scald group (n=24), and scald with EP treatment group (n=24). Animals were sacrificed on days 1, 3, and 5 postburn, and spleen samples were collected to determine splenocyte proliferation and apoptosis.

[Effects of ethyl pyruvate on cell-mediated immune function in rats with delayed resuscitation after burn injury].

Objective: To investigate the effects of ethyl pyruvate (EP) on cell-mediated immune function in rats with delayed resuscitation after burn injury, and its potential regulatory mechanism.

Methods: Wistar rats were subjected to 30% full-thickness scald injury with delayed resuscitation. One hundred and three male rats were randomly divided into normal controls (n=7), sham scald group (n=32), scald group (n=32) in which 40 ml/kg normal saline was infused peritoneally 6 hours after scald, and EP treatment group (n=32) in which 40 mg/kg EP was injected peritoneally 6 hours after scald.

[High mobility group box-1 protein activates Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway in rat peritoneal macrophages].

Objective: To investigate the potential signal transduction mechanism in high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1)-induced inflammatory response in rat peritoneal macrophages.

Methods: Peritoneal macrophages obtained from male Wistar rats were incubated for 3 days before they were stimulated by HMGB1 (10 microg/ml). At various time points after HMGB1 stimulation, macrophages were denatured directly in cell culture flasks to detect activation of Janus kinase-2 (JAK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) and STAT3 by immunoprecipitation, Western blotting and electrophoretic mobility shift assay, respectively.