Functional Response Research Articles

Functional response of Franklinothrips vespiformis (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae) to eggs and nymphs of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae).

The Middle East Asia Minor 1 biotype of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a greenhouse and field crop pest of global significance. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of the generalist predatory thrips, Franklinothrips vespiformis Crawford (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae), as a biological control agent for B. tabaci. This was achieved by determining the functional responses of F. vespiformis larvae and adults to the egg and nymphal stages of B. tabaci under laboratory conditions. Analyses consisted of 10 replicates of each predator and prey stage combination on bean leaf discs for a 24-h period. Following logistic regression analyses to determine the functional response type exhibited, response parameters were estimated with nonlinear least squares regression using Roger's equation. Results showed that F. vespiformis larvae and adults exhibited a Type II functional response when feeding on immature B. tabaci. The handling times (Th) of F. vespiformis larvae and adults were magnitudes higher for B. tabaci nymphs than they were for eggs, which were in part driven by the higher attack rates (a) observed on eggs. The maximum attack rate (T/Th) for B. tabaci eggs and nymphs exhibited by first-stage larvae, second-stage larvae, and adult F. vespiformis increased with increasing predator age. Results from this study suggest that F. vespiformis larvae and particularly adults are promising biological control agents for B. tabaci and are efficient predators at both low and high prey densities.

A Synthetic Microbiome Based on Dominant Microbes in Wild Rice Rhizosphere to Promote Sulfur Utilization

Sulfur (S) is one of the main components of important biomolecules, which has been paid more attention in the anaerobic environment of rice cultivation. In this study, 12 accessions of rice materials, belonging to two Asian rice domestication systems and one African rice domestication system, were used by shotgun metagenomics sequencing to compare the structure and function involved in S cycle of rhizosphere microbiome between wild and cultivated rice. The sulfur cycle functional genes abundances were significantly different between wild and cultivated rice rhizosphere in the processes of sulfate reduction and other sulfur compounds conversion, implicating that wild rice had a stronger mutually-beneficial relationship with rhizosphere microbiome, enhancing sulfur utilization. To assess the effects of sulfate reduction synthetic microbiomes, Comamonadaceae and Rhodospirillaceae, two families containing the genes of two key steps in the dissimilatory sulfate reduction, aprA and dsrA respectively, were isolated from wild rice rhizosphere. Compared with the control group, the dissimilatory sulfate reduction in cultivated rice rhizosphere was significantly improved in the inoculated with different proportions groups. It confirmed that the synthetic microbiome can promote the S-cycling in rice, and suggested that may be feasible to construct the synthetic microbiome step by step based on functional genes to achieve the target functional pathway. In summary, this study reveals the response of rice rhizosphere microbial community structure and function to domestication, and provides a new idea for the construction of synthetic microbiome.

[Effects of helium-oxygen mechanical ventilation on inflammatory response of diseased lung segments and diaphragm function in patients with pneumonia].

To investigate the clinical effect of helium-oxygen mechanical ventilation on inflammation of the diseased lung segment and diaphragm function in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by pneumonia who suffered difficulty weaning from mechanical ventilation. A prospective controlled study was conducted. A total of 40 patients with ARDS caused by pneumonia and requiring tracheal intubation with difficulty weaning from mechanical ventilation, admitted to the department of critical care medicine in Pingtan Branch of Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from October 2020 to December 2021 were enrolled. Patients were divided into nitrogen oxygen ventilation group and helium-oxygen ventilation group according to random number table, with 20 cases in each group. The nitrogen oxygen ventilation group was given 60% nitrogen and 40% oxygen ventilation treatment, and the helium-oxygen ventilation group was given 60% helium and 40% oxygen ventilation treatment. Peak airway pressure (Ppeak), plateau airway pressure (Pplat), tidal volume (VT), minute ventilation volume (MV) and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) were collected at 0, 1, 2, 3 hours after ventilation treatment. At the same time, the concentrations of inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in epithelial lining fluid in patients with diseased lung segments were measured before and after ventilation treatment for 3 hours, and the diaphragmatic excursion and the diaphragmatic thickening fraction were measured before and after ventilation treatment for 3 hours. There were no significant differences in gender, age, oxygenation index, serum CRP, serum procalcitonin (PCT), body temperature, serum creatinine (SCr), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), fasting blood glucose (FPG), hemoglobin (Hb), and basic heart and lung diseases between the two groups. Under the condition that VT and SpO2 are relatively unchanged, the airway pressure in helium-oxygen ventilation group decreased significantly after 1 hour of ventilation [Ppeak (cmH2O, 1 cmH2O≈0.098 kPa): 22.80±4.47 vs. 28.00±5.07, Pplat (cmH2O): 19.15±3.90 vs. 23.20±3.81, both P < 0.05], and the airway pressure in the nitrogen oxygen ventilation group increased significantly after 1 hour [Ppeak (cmH2O): 22.35±2.13 vs. 19.75±1.94, Pplat (cmH2O): 18.50±1.70 vs. 16.50±1.88, both P < 0.05]. There were no significant differences in CRP and IL-6 levels in epithelial lining fluid in the diseased lung segment before and after ventilation in the nitrogen oxygen ventilation group, while the levels of these indexes in the helium-oxygen ventilation group after ventilation were significantly lower than those before ventilation, and significantly lower than those in the nitrogen oxygen ventilation group [CRP (mg/L): 10.15 (6.39, 15.84) vs. 16.10 (11.63, 18.66), IL-6 (μg/L): 1.15 (0.78, 1.86) vs. 2.67 (1.67, 4.85), both P < 0.05]. There were no statistically significant differences in the diaphragmatic excursion and the diaphragmatic thickening fraction before and after ventilation in the nitrogen oxygen ventilation group, while the above indexes in the helium-oxygen ventilation group were significantly higher than those before ventilation, and were significantly higher than those in the nitrogen oxygen ventilation group [diaphragmatic excursion (cm): 1.93 (1.69, 2.20) vs. 1.34 (1.22, 1.83), diaphragmatic thickening fraction: (48.22±8.61)% vs. (33.29±11.04)%, both P < 0.05]. Helium-oxygen ventilation can reduce the airway pressure of patients with mechanical ventilation, alleviate the inflammatory response of lung segment, improve the function of respiratory muscle, and is expected to be an important treatment for severe lung rehabilitation.

The role of JAK2/STAT3 pathway in non-cytotoxic concentrations of DON-induced aggravation of inflammatory response in IL-10 deficient RAW264.7 cells

Deoxynivalenol (DON) as a mycotoxin was commonly found in food and cereals which can affect immune function and inflammatory response. The majority of foods contain DON at levels below the official limit. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of non-cytotoxic concentration of DON on inflammation and its mechanisms using the IL-10 gene-silenced RAW264.7 cell model. The results showed that a non-cytotoxic concentration of DON at 25 ng/ml aggravated IL-10 knockdown-induced inflammation, which was manifested by increasing IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA expression, migration and phagocytosis, decreasing IL-10 mRNA expression, and enhancing JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation. Adding JAK2 inhibitor AG490 attenuated the aggravating effect of DON on IL-10 knockdown-induced inflammation. In conclusion, a non-cytotoxic concentration of DON enhances the inflammatory response through the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway when inflammation occurs in the body. These results indicated that non-cytotoxic concentrations of DON could aggravate inflammation when inflammation was induced by IL-10 knockdown, which increases vigilance against DON contamination at low concentration especially when an animal's body has inflammation.

Effects of Isometric Handgrip Exercise on Carotid Arterial Function and Cardiovascular Vasoreactivity Response to Sympathetic Stress in Young Adults

Effects of Isometric Handgrip Exercise on Carotid Arterial Function and Cardiovascular Vasoreactivity Response to Sympathetic Stress in Young Adults

Simultaneous enhancement of mechanical and functional properties by heat-treatment in CuAlNi shape memory alloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is a promising manufacturing method for fabricating Cu-based shape memory alloys (SMAs), but further performance improvement is needed to ensure service stability and broaden the engineering applications. To achieve simultaneous enhancement of mechanical and functional properties of CuAlNi ternary SMAs fabricated via the LPBF process, this study conducts isochronous and isothermal quenching treatments to tailor the microstructure. The heat-treated specimens with a high quenching temperature and long soaking time exhibited high ultimate tensile strength of 696 ± 10 MPa, large ductility of 8.9 ± 0.2%, and excellent recoverable strain under 2% pre-strain with a shape recovery rate of 100%, which were considerably superior than those of as-built specimens (ultimate tensile strength of 612 ± 10 MPa, elongation of 2.6 ± 0.1%, and 1.26% recoverable strain). This is attributed to the element homogenization during heat treatment, release of residual stress, and coordinated martensite network boundary. However, no significant strain platform of martensite reorientation or detwinning was found in the tensile deformation of the as-built and heat-treated samples, due to localized strain concentration in the parent grain. The microstructural evolution under different quenching treatments and the underlying mechanisms for the improvement of mechanical and functional properties are discussed in detail. This work not only reveals the unique functional response of LPBF fabricated Cu-based SMAs, but also provides a simple and effective method to improve their performance.

Vaccination impact on impending HIV-COVID-19 dual epidemic with autogenous behavior modification: Hill-type functional response and premeditated optimization technique.

An HIV-COVID-19 co-infection dynamics is modeled mathematically assimilating the vaccination mechanism that incorporates endogenous modification of human practices generated by the COVID-19 prevalence, absorbing the relevance of the treatment mechanism in suppressing the co-infection burden. Envisaging a COVID-19 situation, the HIV-subsystem is analyzed by introducing COVID-19 vaccination for the HIV-infected population as a prevention, and the "vaccination influenced basic reproduction number" of HIV is derived. The mono-infection systems experience forward bifurcation that evidences the persistence of diseases above unit epidemic thresholds. Delicate simulation methodologies are employed to explore the impacts of baseline vaccination, prevalence-dependent spontaneous behavioral change that induces supplementary vaccination, and medication on the dual epidemic. Captivatingly, a paradox is revealed showing that people start to get vaccinated at an additional rate with the increased COVID-19 prevalence, which ultimately diminishes the dual epidemic load. It suggests increasing the baseline vaccination rate and the potency of propagated awareness. Co-infection treatment needs to be emphasized parallelly with single infection medication under dual epidemic situations. Further, an optimization technique is introduced to the co-infection model integrating vaccination and treatment control mechanisms, which approves the strategy combining vaccination with awareness and medication as the ideal one for epidemic and economic gain. Conclusively, it is manifested that waiting frivolously for any anticipated outbreak, depending on autogenous behavior modification generated by the increased COVID-19 prevalence, instead of elevating vaccination campaigns and the efficacy of awareness beforehand, may cause devastation to the population under future co-epidemic conditions.

Functional Responses of Prey-Predator Models in Population Dynamics; A Survey

Functional Responses of Prey-Predator Models in Population Dynamics; A Survey

Functional ultrasound imaging of the human spinal cord

Utilizing the first in-human functional ultrasound imaging (fUSI) of the spinal cord, we demonstrate the integration of spinal functional responses to electrical stimulation. We record and characterize the hemodynamic responses of the spinal cord to a neuromodulatory intervention commonly used for treating pain and increasingly used for the restoration of sensorimotor and autonomic function. We found that the hemodynamic response to stimulation reflects a spatiotemporal modulation of the spinal cord circuitry not previously recognized. Our analytical capability offers a mechanism to assess blood flow changes with a new level of spatial and temporal precision invivo and demonstrates that fUSI can decode the functional state of spinal networks in a single trial, which is of fundamental importance for developing real-time closed-loop neuromodulation systems. This work is a critical step toward developing a vital technique to study spinal cord function and effects of clinical neuromodulation.

Cardiodynamic adjustments in skilled civil aircraft pilots while unexpected emergency conditions appeared during a simulated flight within a homemade Airbus A300 cockpit

To highlight which cardiodynamic adjustments take place in civil aircraft pilots when unexpected mechanical accidents occur while they are in flight, in 8 skilled pilots we detected the mean blood arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) while a unexpected failing of one engine occurred when they were engaged in a simulated flight with a homemade Airbus A300 cockpit. Comparing these two cardiovascular variables in a simulated flight test, just as when the accident happened, together with the values assessed in a simulated control flight without accidents, by the non-parametric Wilcoxon test for paired data it has been found a significant increase of MAP’s median (+ 20.3%, P = 0.008) without significant increase in HR one. However, in several tested pilots this sudden MAP increase tended to progressively recover baseline values while simulating the flight despite the event triggering this functional response was still present.We concluded that the cardiovascular apparatus of skilled aircraft civil pilots adapts in such a way of sudden respond to unexpected emergency conditions by adjusting mean arterial blood pressure for adequate blood flow to limb muscles, and this happens without a concomitant tachycardia response in order to maintain an optimal mechanical/metabolic efficiency of the heart.

A novel network pharmacology strategy to decode mechanism of Wuling Powder in treating liver cirrhosis

BackgroundLiver cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease with hepatocyte necrosis and lesion. As one of the TCM formulas Wuling Powder (WLP) is widely used in the treatment of liver cirrhosis. However, it’s key functional components and action mechanism still remain unclear. We attempted to explore the Key Group of Effective Components (KGEC) of WLP in the treatment of Liver cirrhosis through integrative pharmacology combined with experiments.MethodsThe components and potential target genes of WLP were extracted from published databases. A novel node importance calculation model considering both node control force and node bridging force is designed to construct the Function Response Space (FRS) and obtain key effector proteins. The genetic knapsack algorithm was employed to select KGEC. The effectiveness and reliability of KGEC were evaluated at the functional level by using gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Finally, the effectiveness and potential mechanism of KGEC were confirmed by CCK-8, qPCR and Western blot.Results940 effective proteins were obtained in FRS. KEGG pathways and GO terms enrichments analysis suggested that effective proteins well reflect liver cirrhosis characteristics at the functional level. 29 components of WLP were defined as KGEC, which covered 100% of the targets of the effective proteins. Additionally, the pathways enriched for the KGEC targets accounted for 83.33% of the shared genes between the targets and the pathogenic genes enrichment pathways. Three components scopoletin, caryophyllene oxide, and hydroxyzinamic acid from KGEC were selected for in vivo verification. The qPCR results demonstrated that all three components significantly reduced the mRNA levels of COL1A1 in TGF-β1-induced liver cirrhosis model. Furthermore, the Western blot assay indicated that these components acted synergistically to target the NF-κB, AMPK/p38, cAMP, and PI3K/AKT pathways, thus inhibiting the progression of liver cirrhosis.ConclusionIn summary, we have developed a new model that reveals the key components and potential mechanisms of WLP for the treatment of liver cirrhosis. This model provides a reference for the secondary development of WLP and offers a methodological strategy for studying TCM formulas.

O-Antigen decorations in Salmonella enterica play a key role in eliciting functional immune responses against heterologous serovars in animal models.

Different serovars of Salmonella enterica cause systemic diseases in humans including enteric fever, caused by S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A, and invasive nontyphoidal salmonellosis (iNTS), caused mainly by S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis. No vaccines are yet available against paratyphoid fever and iNTS but different strategies, based on the immunodominant O-Antigen component of the lipopolysaccharide, are currently being tested. The O-Antigens of S. enterica serovars share structural features including the backbone comprising mannose, rhamnose and galactose as well as further modifications such as O-acetylation and glucosylation. The importance of these O-Antigen decorations for the induced immunogenicity and cross-reactivity has been poorly characterized. These immunological aspects were investigated in this study using Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA) as delivery systems for the different O-Antigen variants. This platform allowed the rapid generation and in vivo testing of defined and controlled polysaccharide structures through genetic manipulation of the O-Antigen biosynthetic genes. Results from mice and rabbit immunization experiments highlighted the important role played by secondary O-Antigen decorations in the induced immunogenicity. Moreover, molecular modeling of O-Antigen conformations corroborated the likelihood of cross-protection between S. enterica serovars. Such results, if confirmed in humans, could have a great impact on the design of a simplified vaccine composition able to maximize functional immune responses against clinically relevant Salmonella enterica serovars.

Prediction of functional therapeutic response to thrombectomy in acute stroke using neural networks

Prediction of functional therapeutic response to thrombectomy in acute stroke using neural networks

Distinct bacterial succession and functional response to alginate in the South, Equatorial, and North Pacific Ocean.

The availability of alginate, an abundant macroalgal polysaccharide, induces compositional and functional responses among marine microbes, but these dynamics have not been characterized across the Pacific Ocean. We investigated alginate-induced compositional and functional shifts (e.g., heterotrophic production, glucose turnover, hydrolytic enzyme activities) of microbial communities in the South Subtropical, Equatorial, and Polar Frontal North Pacific in mesocosms. We observed that shifts in response to alginate were site-specific. In the South Subtropical Pacific, prokaryotic cell counts, glucose turnover, and peptidase activities changed the most with alginate addition, along with the enrichment of the widest range of particle-associated taxa (161 amplicon sequence variants; ASVs) belonging to Alteromonadaceae, Rhodobacteraceae, Phormidiaceae, and Pseudoalteromonadaceae. Some of these taxa were detected at other sites but only enriched in the South Pacific. In the Equatorial Pacific, glucose turnover and heterotrophic prokaryotic production increased most rapidly; a single Alteromonas taxon dominated (60% of the community) but remained low (<2%) elsewhere. In the North Pacific, the particle-associated community response to alginate was gradual, with a more limited range of alginate-enriched taxa (82 ASVs). Thus, alginate-related ecological and biogeochemical shifts depend on a combination of factors that include the ability to utilize alginate, environmental conditions, and microbial interactions.

Removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution using ball mill modified biochar: multivariate modeling, optimization and experimental study

Chromium (Cr(VI)) pollution has attracted wide attention due to its high toxicity and carcinogenicity. Modified biochar has been widely used in the removal of Cr(VI) in water as an efficient and green adsorbent. However, the existing biochar prepared by chemical modification is usually complicated in process, high in cost, and has secondary pollution, which limits its application. It is urgent to explore modified biochar with simple process, low cost and environmental friendliness. Therefore, ball milling wheat straw biochar (BM-WB) was prepared by ball milling technology in this paper. The adsorption characteristics and mechanism of Cr(VI) removal by BM-WB were analyzed by functional group characterization, adsorption model and response surface method. The results showed that ball milling effectively reduced the particle size of biochar, increased the specific surface area, and more importantly, enhanced the content of oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of biochar. After ball milling, the adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) increased by 3.5–9.1 times, and the adsorption capacity reached 52.21 mg/g. The adsorption behavior of Cr(VI) follows the pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm adsorption model rate. Moreover, the Cr(VI) adsorption process of BM-WB is endothermic and spontaneous. Under the optimized conditions of pH 2, temperature 45 °C, and adsorbent dosage 0.1 g, the removal rate of Cr(VI) in the solution can reach 100%. The mechanism of Cr(VI) adsorption by BM-WB is mainly based on electrostatic attraction, redox and complexation. Therefore, ball milled biochar is a cheap, simple and efficient Cr(VI) removal material, which has a good application prospect in the field of remediation of Cr(VI) pollution in water.

Implementation of FOPID controller with modified harmony search optimization for precise modelling and auto-tuning of nonlinear systems

This research aims to optimize the fractional order proportional integral derivative (FOPID) controller for nonlinear process tests. Instead of relying on the traditional trial-and error method for dynamic parameter selection, this proposes a modified harmony search optimization method to compute the optimal dynamic parameters. Based on the physical parameters, using mathematical modelling techniques system transfer function is determined. Additionally, the delay of the control scheme is determined using the Open Loop Transfer Function (OLTF) response. The dynamic parameters of the FOPID controller are evaluated using the Harmonic Search Algorithm – Fractional Order Proportional Integral Derivative (HAS_FOPID) optimization technique, which aims to minimize the system's Integral Square Error (ISE). Time responses, including rise time, peak time, and peak overshoot, are obtained and optimized through the HAS_FOPID algorithm. To verify systems stability, the output response is analysed using various techniques such as bode plots, pole placement, and Nyquist plots. Furthermore, the HAS_FOPID optimization technique is compared with other natural optimization techniques to assess its effectiveness. The research also evaluates the system's robustness by supply/ load disturbances. The objective is to demonstrate that, the optimized HAS_FOPID technique, has significantly enhanced control performance, stability, and robustness of nonlinear systems compared to natural and alternative optimization approaches.

Assessment of focused ultrasound stimulation to induce peripheral nerve activity and potential damage in vivo.

Peripheral neuroprostheses are aimed to restore loss of sensory and motor functions by interfacing axons in the peripheral nerves. Most common interfaces in neuroprostheses are electrodes that establish electrical connection with peripheral axons. However, some challenges arise related to long-term functionality, durability, and body response. Recently, focused ultrasound stimulation (FUS) has emerged as a non-invasive approach to modulate the nervous system. However, it is controversial whether FUS can induce axon depolarization. We have assessed FUS applied in vivo to the rat peripheral nerve, with two objectives: first, to test whether FUS activates peripheral nerves under different stimulation conditions, and second, to evaluate if FUS inflicts damage to the nerve. FUS was delivered with three ultrasound transducers (Sonic Concept H115, H107, and H102) covering the largest set of parameters examined for FUS of peripheral nerves so far. We did not obtain reliable evoked action potentials in either nerves or muscles, under any FUS condition applied, neither over the skin nor directly to the nerve exposed. Additional experiments ex vivo and in vivo on mice, confirmed this conclusion. When FUS stimulation was applied directly to the exposed sciatic nerve, neuromuscular function decreased significantly, and recovered one week later, except for FUS at 0.25 MHz. Histologically, degenerating nerve fibers were observed, with a tendency to be higher with the lower FUS frequency. Past reports on the ability of ultrasound to stimulate the peripheral nerve are controversial. After testing a wide range of FUS conditions, we conclude that it is not a reliable and safe method for stimulating the peripheral nerve. Special consideration should be taken, especially when low-frequency FUS is applied, as it may lead to nerve damage.

Codimension-one bifurcation analysis and chaos of a discrete prey–predator system

In this paper, we explore local dynamics at equilibrium points, the existence of bifurcation sets and codimension-one bifurcation analysis of a discrete prey–predator system with Holling type-II functional response. Further, OGY and Hybrid control strategies are utilized to control chaos in the under study discrete model due to the occurrence of Neimark–Sacker and flip bifurcations. Finally, numerical simulations are given to verify theoretical results.

Stem cell-derived CAR T cells show greater persistence, trafficking, and viral control compared to ex vivo transduced CAR T cells

Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is an area of intense investigation in the treatment of malignancies and chronic viral infections. One of the limitations of ACT-based CAR therapy is the lack of in vivo persistence and maintenance of optimal cell function. Therefore, alternative strategies that increase the function and maintenance of CAR-expressing T cells are needed. In our studies using the humanized bone marrow/liver/thymus (BLT) mouse model and nonhuman primate model (NHP) of HIV infection, we evaluated two CAR-based gene therapy approaches. In ACT approach, we utilized cytokine enhancement and preconditioning to generate greater persistence of anti-HIV CAR+ T cells. We observed limited persistence and expansion of anti-HIV CAR T cells which led to minimal control of the virus. In our stem-cell based approach, we modified hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) with anti-HIV CAR to generate anti-HIV CAR T cells in vivo. We observed CAR-expressing T cell expansion which led to better plasma viral load suppression. HSPC-derived CAR cells in infected NHPs showed superior trafficking and persistence in multiple tissues. Our results suggest a stem cell-based CAR T cell approach may be superior to generate long-term persistence and functional antiviral responses against HIV infection.

Language brain responses and neurodevelopmental outcome in preschoolers with congenital heart disease: A fNIRS study

Neurodevelopmental disabilities affect up to 50% of survivors of congenital heart disease (CHD). Language difficulties are frequently identified during preschool period and can lead to academic, social, behavioral, and emotional difficulties. Structural brain alterations are associated with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes in patients with CHD during infancy, childhood, and adolescence. However, evidence is lacking about the functional brain activity in children with CHD and its relationship with neurodevelopment. This study therefore aimed to characterize brain responses during a passive story-listening task in 3-year-old children with CHD, and to investigate the relationship between functional brain patterns of language processing and neurodevelopmental outcomes. To do so, we assessed hemodynamic concentration changes, using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and neurodevelopmental outcomes, using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – 4th Edition (WPPSI-IV), in children with CHD (n = 19) and healthy controls (n = 23). Compared to their healthy peers, children with CHD had significantly lower scores on the Verbal comprehension index (VCI), the Vocabulary acquisition index (VAI), the General ability index (GAI), and the Information and the Picture Naming subtests of the WPPSI-IV. During the passive story-listening task, healthy controls showed significant hemodynamic brain responses in the temporal and the temporal posterior regions, with stronger activation in the temporal posterior than in the temporal regions. In contrast, children with CHD showed reduced activation in the temporal posterior regions compared to controls, with no difference of activation between regions. Reduced brain responses in the temporal posterior regions were also correlated with lower neurodevelopmental outcomes in both groups. This is the first study that reveals reduced brain functional responses in preschoolers with CHD during a receptive language task. It also suggests that the temporal posterior activation could be a potential brain marker of cognitive development. These findings provide support for the feasibility of identifying brain correlates of neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities in children with CHD.