Behavior and Approximate Entropy of Right-eye Lateralization During Predation in the Music Frog

Brain asymmetry for processing visual information is widespread in animals.However,it is still unknown how the complexity of the underlying neural network activities represents this asymmetrical pattern in the brain.In the present study,we investigated this complexity using the approximate entropy(ApEn)protocol for electroencephalogram(EEG)recordings from the forebrain and midbrain while the music frogs(Nidirana daunchina)attacked prey stimulus.The results showed that(1)more significant prey responses were evoked by the prey stimulus presented in the right visual field than that in the left visual field,consistent with the idea that right-eye preferences for predatory behaviors exist in animals including anurans;(2)in general,the ApEn value of the left hemisphere(especially the left mesencephalon)was greatest under various stimulus conditions,suggesting that visual lateralization could be reflected by the dynamics of underlying neural network activities and that the stable left-hemisphere dominance of EEG ApEn may play an important role in maintaining this brain asymmetry.

Changes in Electroencephalogram Approximate Entropy Reflect Auditory Processing and Functional Complexity in Frogs

Brain systems engage in what are generally considered to be among the most complex forms of information processing. In the present study, we investigated the functional complexity of anuran auditory processing using the approximate entropy（Ap En） protocol for electroencephalogram（EEG） recordings from the forebrain and midbrain while male and female music frogs（Babina daunchina） listened to acoustic stimuli whose biological significance varied. The stimuli used were synthesized white noise（reflecting a novel signal）, conspecific male advertisement calls with either high or low sexual attractiveness（reflecting sexual selection） and silence（reflecting a baseline）. The results showed that 1） Ap En evoked by conspecific calls exceeded Ap En evoked by synthesized white noise in the left mesencephalon indicating this structure plays a critical role in processing acoustic signals with biological significance; 2） Ap En in the mesencephalon was significantly higher than for the telencephalon, consistent with the fact that the anuran midbrain contains a large well-organized auditory nucleus（torus semicircularis） while the forebrain does not; 3） for females Ap En in the mesencephalon was significantly different than that of males, suggesting that males and females process biological stimuli related to mate choice differently.

Analysis of post-traumatic growth status and its influencing factors in patients with facial palsy

Background:Facial nerve paralysis in patients occurs in varying degrees of self-image disorders,both physically and mentally,resulting in low self-esteem,anxiety,depression,and even suicide;however,there were few researches on psychological problems in facial palsy patients at home and abroad.This study's objective was to investigate post-traumatic growth(PTG)in facial nerve palsy patients and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:Using the convenience sampling method,a total of 47 patients with facial nerve paralysis were enrolled in the current study between June 1,2016,and May 31,2017.Post-traumatic growth rating scale was utilized to investigate the post-traumatic growth of these patients,and factors influencing patients'post-traumatic growth were analyzed through collecting the general sociological information,disease-related information,simple coping style questionnaire,and social support rating scale.Results:The total score of post-traumatic growth in patients with facial nerve paralysis was mean(M)=63.1,standard deviation(SD)=19.14.The ranking of five dimensional scores from high to low was as follows:new possibilities,personal strength enhancement,appreciation of life,mental changes,and improvement of relationships with others.Multiple linear regression analysis showed that six variables,namely,the personality type,duration with facial nerve paralysis,and four coping styles,consisting of three types of positive coping styles and one negative coping style,could explain 71.6%of the total post-traumatic growth score.Conclusions:Post-traumatic growth in facial nerve palsy patients is moderate.The personality type of patients,the disease duration,and the coping style are the primary influencing factors.Therefore,clinical staffs should perform personalized nursing protocol and psychological intervention for facial nerve palsy patients to reduce their negative mood,improve their compliance with treatment,and help them recover more rapidly.

Hierarchical auditory perception for species discrimination and individual recognition in the music frog

The ability to discriminate species and recognize individuals is crucial for reproductive success and/or survival in most animals.However,the temporal order and neural localization of these decision-making processes has remained unclear.In this study,event-related potentials(ERPs)were measured in the telencephalon,diencephalon,and mesencephalon of the music frog Nidirana daunchina.These ERPs were elicited by calls from 1 group of heterospecifics(recorded from a sympatric anuran species)and 2 groups of conspecifics that differed in their fundamental frequencies.In terms of the polarity and position within the ERP waveform,auditory ERPs generally consist of 4 main components that link to selective attention(N1),stimulus evaluation(P2),identification(N2),and classification(P3).These occur around 100,200,250,and 300 ms after stimulus onset,respectively.Our results show that the N1 amplitudes differed significantly between the heterospecific and conspecific calls,but not between the 2 groups of conspecific calls that differed in fundamental frequency.On the other hand,the N2 amplitudes were significantly different between the 2 groups of conspecific calls,suggesting that the music frogs discriminated the species first,followed by individual identification,since N1 and N2 relate to selective attention and stimuli identification,respectively.Moreover,the P2 amplitudes evoked in females were significantly greater than those in males,indicating the existence of sexual dimorphism in auditory discrimination.In addition,both the N1 amplitudes in the left diencephalon and the P2 amplitudes in the left telencephalon were greater than in other brain areas,suggesting left hemispheric dominance in auditory perception.Taken together,our results support the hypothesis that species discrimination and identification of individual characteristics are accomplished sequentially,and that auditory perception exhibits differences between sexes and in spatial dominance.