Construction and Analysis of a New Resting-State Whole-Brain Network Model.

BACKGROUND: Mathematical modeling and computer simulation are important methods for understanding complex neural systems. The whole-brain network model can help people understand the neurophysiological mechanisms of brain cognition and functional diseases of the brain. METHODS: In this study, we constructed a resting-state whole-brain network model (WBNM) by using the Wendling neural mass model as the node and a real structural connectivity matrix as the edge of the network. By analyzing the correlation between the simulated functional connectivity matrix in the resting state and the empirical functional connectivity matrix, an optimal global coupling coefficient was obtained. Then, the waveforms and spectra of simulated EEG signals and four commonly used measures from graph theory and small-world network properties of simulated brain networks under different thresholds were analyzed. RESULTS: The results showed that the correlation coefficient of the functional connectivity matrix of the simulated WBNM and empirical brain networks could reach a maximum value of 0.676 when the global coupling coefficient was set to 20.3. The simulated EEG signals showed rich waveform and frequency-band characteristics. The commonly used graph-theoretical measures and small-world properties of the constructed WBNM were similar to those of empirical brain networks. When the threshold was set to 0.22, the maximum correlation between the simulated WBNM and empirical brain networks was 0.709. CONCLUSIONS: The constructed resting-state WBNM is similar to a real brain network to a certain extent and can be used to study the neurophysiological mechanisms of complex brain networks.

Pterostilbene Protects the Optic Nerves and Retina in a Murine Model of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis via Activation of SIRT1 Signaling.

Optic neuritis and retinal damage are common manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS). Pterostilbene (PT) has been used to treat multiple diseases for its anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis and neuroprotective activities. This study aimed to investigate whether PT exerts a therapeutic effect on optic neuritis and retinal damage triggered by MS. Here, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an experimental model for MS, was induced in female C57BL/6 mice by immunizing with MOG35-55 peptide and treating with pertussis toxin. The mice were intraperitoneally injected with 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg PT once daily for 25 days at 24 h post immunization. We found that PT alleviated EAE severity and delayed EAE onset. Moreover, PT mitigated EAE-induced optic nerves and retinal inflammation, as indicated by the decreased Iba-1+ and GFAP+ cells and mRNA levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1ß and the increased Iba-1+sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)+ and GFAP+SIRT1+ cells in the optic nerves and retina. PT also protected the optic nerves against demyelination and axonal loss and the retina against disorders in retinal morphology and apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells. High-dose PT had a more significant effect on protection of the optic nerves and retina in EAE than low-dose PT. In addition, PT activated SIRT1 signaling in the optic nerves and retina. Notably, EX-527, an inhibitor of SIRT1, reversed the effect of high-dose PT on the optic nerves and retina, indicating that PT exerted the protective effect via activating SIRT1 signaling. This study provides a potential candidate for treating MS.

Modified Separator Using Thin Carbon Layer Obtained from Its Cathode for Advanced Lithium Sulfur Batteries.

The realization of a practical lithium sulfur battery system, despite its high theoretical specific capacity, is severely limited by fast capacity decay, which is mainly attributed to polysulfide dissolution and shuttle effect. To address this issue, we designed a thin cathode inactive material interlayer modified separator to block polysulfides. There are two advantages for this strategy. First, the coating material totally comes from the cathode, thus avoids the additional weights involved. Second, the cathode inactive material modified separator improve the reversible capacity and cycle performance by combining gelatin to chemically bond polysulfides and the carbon layer to physically block polysulfides. The research results confirm that with the cathode inactive material modified separator, the batteries retain a reversible capacity of 644 mAh g(-1) after 150 cycles, showing a low capacity decay of about 0.11% per circle at the rate of 0.5C.