A Neural Circuit Controlling Virgin Female Aggression Induced by Mating-related Cues in Drosophila / 神经科学通报·英文版

Females increase aggression for mating opportunities and for acquiring reproductive resources. Although the close relationship between female aggression and mating status is widely appreciated, whether and how female aggression is regulated by mating-related cues remains poorly understood. Here we report an interesting observation that Drosophila virgin females initiate high-frequency attacks toward mated females. We identify 11-cis-vaccenyl acetate (cVA), a male-derived pheromone transferred to females during mating, which promotes virgin female aggression. We subsequently reveal a cVA-responsive neural circuit consisting of four orders of neurons, including Or67d, DA1, aSP-g, and pC1 neurons, that mediate cVA-induced virgin female aggression. We also determine that aSP-g neurons release acetylcholine (ACh) to excite pC1 neurons via the nicotinic ACh receptor nAChRα7. Together, beyond revealing cVA as a mating-related inducer of virgin female aggression, our results identify a neural circuit linking the chemosensory perception of mating-related cues to aggressive behavior in Drosophila females.

DTI analysis on white matter changes in children with ametropic amblyopia / 眼科新进展

Objective To evaluate white matter nerve fiber changes of children with binocular ametropic amblyopia by applying the technology of diffusion tensor imaging and the whole brain analysis method of deterministic tractography,and analyze its correlation with visual acuity.Methods Fourteen binocular ametropic amblyopia children was collected from the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University as study subject of experimental group,14 cases of normal sight children as the control group.All children were scanned by MRI system,conventional MRI examination,3DTlWI scan were made,then echo-planar sequence scanning was used to obtain diffusion tensor imaging.Quantitative analysis was made to all diffusion tensor imaging using deterministic tractography.Using the experimental group tracts with statistic changes of FA value,volume and tract count as the region of interest(ROI),the correlation analysis with vision for each ROI was performed.Results Isoametropic amblyopia children demonstrated low FA values in the right ventral and dorsal pathway,right optic radiation and corpus callosum compared to control group.There was low volume of fibers in the bilateral ventral and dorsal pathway,the left optic radiation and body of corpus callosum compared to control group.The tract count of right dorsal pathway had reduced compared to control group.Among FA value,tract count and volume,FA value had the maximum regression coefficient with visual acuity,the regression coefficient of tract count and volume was small.The relative correlation coefficient of FA value at right optic radiation,right ventral pathway and body of corpus callosum with vision acuity were 0.486,0.534 and 0.456,respectively,the right ventral pathway had the maximum correlation with visual acuity.Conclusion Isoametropic amblyopia patients shows abnormal structure on bilateral optic radiation,bilateral ventral and dorsal pathway and body of corpus cailosum,these may cause the capability loss of object recognition and spatial position recognition.The FA value of right ventral pathway has the maximum influence on visual acuity.

An experimental study of the remodeling mechanism of the retrodiscal tissues by traction of the mandibular ramus and zygomatic arch in rabbits / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective; To investigate the remodeling mechanism of the retrodiscal tissues of temporomandibular joint after mechanical loading. Methods; 15 adult New Zealand rabbits were subjected to traction between the mandibular ramus and zygomatic arch in the postero-superior direction unilaterally using elastic force. The animals were killed respectively at 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The histologic features were observed by Hematoxylin & Eosin and Alcian blue staining. The expressions of aggre can and collagen II antigen in the articular disc of temporomandibular joint were observed by immunohistochemical staining. Results: The articular disc of the traction side in temporomandibular joint was characterized by an early phase (2 weeks postoperatively) with partial anterior disc displacement and disc deformity and subsequently in deposition of fibrous material in the matrix of the retrodiscal tissues. With time going on, fibroblasts significantly decreased and connective tissues increased. A small quantity of cartilage-like cells were also investigated in that area. However, no obvious histological change was observed in the control group. Compared with the control group, glycosaminoglycan, ag-grecan and collagen II were weakly positive in the intermediate zone of articular disc in experimental group. Aggrecan was stronger positive in the intermediate zone of articular disc after two weeks in experimental group. When traction period prolonged, glycosaminoglycan, aggrecan and collagen II were strong positive in the retrodiscal tissue of articular disc in experimental group. Conclusion; These investigations reveal that distracting mandibule towards rear and top through ansa capitis, the synthesis of cartilage matrix increase and a small quantity of cartilage cells appear to adjust to its functions.