Imbalanced Gamma-band Functional Brain Networks of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Resting gamma-band brain networks are known as an inhibitory component in functional brain networks. Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is considered as with imbalanced brain networks, the inhibitory component remains not fully explored. The study reported 10 children with ASD and 10 typically-developing (TD) controls. The power spectral density analysis of the gamma-band signal in the cerebral cortex was performed at the source level. The normalized phase transfer entropy values (nPTEs) were calculated to construct brain connectivity. Gamma-band activity of the ASD group was lower than the TD children. The significantly inhibited brain regions were mainly distributed in the bilateral frontal and temporal lobes. Connectivity analysis showed alterations in the connections from key nodes of the social brain network. The behavior assessments in the ASD group revealed a significantly positive correlation between the total score of Childhood Autism Rating Scale and the regional nPTEs of the right transverse temporal gyrus. Our results provide strong evidence that the gamma-band brain networks of ASD children have a lower level of brain activities and different distribution of information flows. Clinical meanings of such imbalances of both activity and connectivity were also worthy of further explorations.

Network pharmacology for the identification of phytochemicals in traditional Chinese medicine for COVID-19 that may regulate interleukin-6.

OBJECTIVE: ´Three formulas and three medicines,' namely, Jinhua Qinggan Granule, Lianhua Qingwen Capsule, Xuebijing Injection, Qingfei Paidu Decoction, HuaShi BaiDu Formula, and XuanFei BaiDu Granule, were proven to be effective for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment. The present study aimed to identify the active chemical constituents of this traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and investigate their mechanisms through interleukin-6 (IL-6) integrating network pharmacological approaches. METHODS: We collected the compounds from all herbal ingredients of the previously mentioned TCM, but those that could down-regulate IL-6 were screened through the network pharmacology approach. Then, we modeled molecular docking to evaluate the binding affinity between compounds and IL-6. Furthermore, we analyzed the biological processes and pathways of compounds. Finally, we screened out the core genes of compounds through the construction of the protein-protein interaction network and the excavation of gene clusters of compounds. RESULTS: The network pharmacology research showed that TCM could decrease IL-6 using several compounds, such as quercetin, ursolic acid, luteolin, and rutin. Molecular docking results showed that the molecular binding affinity with IL-6 of all compounds except γ-aminobutyric acid was < -5.0 kJ/mol, indicating the potential of numerous active compounds in TCM to directly interact with IL-6, leading to an anti-inflammation effect. Finally, Cytoscape 3.7.2 was used to topologize the biological processes and pathways of compounds, revealing potential mechanisms for COVID-19 treatment. CONCLUSION: These results indicated the positive effect of TCM on the prevention and rehabilitation of COVID-19 in at-risk people. Quercetin, ursolic acid, luteolin, and rutin could inhibit COVID-19 by down-regulating IL-6.

Adipocyte ADRB3 Down-Regulated in Chinese Overweight Individuals Adipocyte ADRB3 in Overweight.

OBJECTIVES: Activation of ß3-adrenoceptor (ADRB3) is essential in the process of human adipose tissue browning, but obese subjects suffered from reduced ability of brown adipose tissue activation. The present study aims to detect the adipocyte ADRB3 expression in overweight individuals and the relationship between adipocyte ADRB3 expression and adiposity in adults. METHODS: Visceral adipose tissue samples were obtained from 85 subjects who underwent abdominal surgery. ADRB3 mRNA and protein expression levels in mature adipocytes and adipose tissue stromal vascular cells were examined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot assay, respectively. UCP-1mRNA expression levels in mature adipocytes were examined by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: The data revealed that ADRB3 mRNA (p = 0.021) and protein (p = 0.025) expression levels in mature adipocytes were significantly higher in the normal-weight than in the overweight group. Similar results were also found for ADRB3 mRNA (p = 0.041) and protein (p = 0.025) expressions of stromal vascular cells. An inverse correlation was verified between mature adipocyte ADRB3 mRNA expression and BMI (r = -0.362, p = 0.012). UCP-1 mRNA expression levels in mature adipocytes were higher in the normal-weight group compared with the overweight group (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Adipocyte ADRB3 expression levels were down-regulated before the onset of obesity, which indicated that the reduction of ADRB3 expression might be the cause of compromised adipose tissue browning and obesity rather than the result. Thus, the interference of the ADRB3 pathway in adipocytes may provide a potential treatment target for obesity.