Age,growth and reproduction of Sarcocheilichthys nigripinnis from the Qingyi Stream in the Huangshan Mountains

Identifying the life-history strategies of fish and their associations with the surrounding environment is the basic foundation in the conservation and sustainable utilization of fish species.We examined the age,growth,and reproduction of Sarcocheilichthys nigripinnis using 352 specimens collected monthly from May 2009 to April 2010 in the Qingyi Stream.We found the sex ratio of this study population was 0.58:1(female:male),significantly different from expected 1:1.Females and males both comprised four age groups.The annuli on the scales were formed during February and March.No obvious between-sex difference was observed in length-weight and length-scale-radius relationships.The total length in back-calculation significantly increased with age for both sexes,but did not differ significantly at each age between the two sexes.An inflection point was observed in the growth curves given by the von Bertalanffy growth function for total weight.At this inflection point,fish were 3.95 years.Both sexes reach their 50% sex maturity at age 2,when females and males were 94.7 mm and 103.0 mm total length.The temporal pattern of the gonado-somatic index corresponded to a spawning period that occurred from April through July.The non-synchronicity of egg diameter in each mature ovary during the breeding period suggested these fish may be batch spawners.The absolute fecundity increased significantly with total length and weight,whereas no significant correlation was observed between the relative fecundity and body size.

Important population viability analysis parameters for giant pandas(Aliuropoda melanoleuca)

Population viability analysis(PVA) is a tool to evaluate the risk of extinction for endangered species and aid conservation decision-making.The quality of PVA output is dependent on parameters related to population dynamics and life-history;however,it has been difficult to collect this information for the giant panda(Aliuropoda melanoleuca),a rare and endangered mammal native to China,confined to some 30 fragmented habitat patches.Since giant pandas are long-lived,mature late,have lower reproductive rates,and show little sexual dimorphism,obtaining data to perform adequate PVA has been difficult.Here,we develop a parameter sensitivity index by modeling the dynamics of six giant panda populations in the Minshan Mountains,in order to determine the parameters most influential to giant panda populations.Our data shows that the giant panda populations are most sensitive to changes in four female parameters:initial breeding age,reproductive rate,mortality rate between age 0 and 1,and mortality rate of adults.The parameter sensitivity index strongly correlated with initial population size,as smaller populations were more sensitive to changes in these four variables.This model suggests that demographic parameters of females have more influence on the results of PVA,indicating that females may play a more important role in giant panda population dynamics than males.Consequently,reintroduction of female individuals to a small giant panda population should be a high priority for conservation efforts.Our findings form a technical basis for the coming program of giant panda reintroduction,and inform which parameters are crucial to successfully and feasibly monitoring wild giant panda populations.

The structure of integument and wax glands of Phenacoccus fraxinus(Hemiptera:Coccoidea:Pseudococcidae)

Using scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy,we studied the structure of the integument and wax glands of the mealybug,Phenacoccus fraxinus Tang(Hemiptera:Coccoidea:Pseudococcidae).We observed the ultrastructure of four wax pores including trilocular,quinquelocular,and multilocular pores as well as tubular ducts,recording characteristics of their structure,size and distribution.We found that that the integument of the mealybug consists of three main layers-the procuticle,epidermis and basement membrane-and four sub-layers of the procuticle-the epicuticle,exocuticle,endocuticle and formation zone.The waxsecreting gland cells were closely arranged in epidermis.All of them were complex and composed of one central cell and two or more lateral cells.These complex cells possess a large common reservoir for collection and storage.Synthesized by the glandular cells,the wax is excreted outside integument through canals.

Molecular physiology of vesicular glutamate transporters in the digestive system

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Packaging and storage of glutamate into glutamatergic neuronal vesicles require ATP-dependent vesicular glutamate uptake systems, which utilize the electrochemical proton gradient as a driving force. Three vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUT1-3) have been recently identified from neuronal tissue where they play a key role to maintain the vesicular glutamate level. Recently, it has been demonstrated that glutamate signaling is also functional in peripheral neuronal and non-neuronal tissues, and occurs in sites of pituitary, adrenal, pineal glands, bone, GI tract, pancreas,skin, and testis. The glutamate receptors and VGLUTs in digestivesystem have been found in both neuronal and endocrinal cells. The glutamate signaling in the digestive system may have significant relevance to diabetes and GI tract motility disorders. This review will focus on the most recent update of molecular physiology of digestive VGLUTs.

Effects of Acupuncture on Monoamine Neurotransmitters in Raphe Nuclei in Obese Rats

Effects of acupuncture on the levels of neurotransmitters in the raphe nuclei were investigated in obeserats.It was found that the levels of tryptophan (Trp) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) wereincreased,and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) level and 5-HT/5-HIAA ratio decreased in the raphe nucleiof the obese group as compared with the normal group;and that acupuncture could produce weightreduction,increase the 5-HT level and 5-HT/5-HIAA ratio,and decrease the contents of Trp and5-HIAA,but did not change the levels of dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA).It is indicated thatbenign regulative action of acupuncture on 5-HT and its metabolism in the raphe nuclei is possibly oneof the factors for reducing weight by acupuncture.

Zoological Research Call for papers The 1^(st) issue,2013,"Special Issue for Primates and Animal Models of Human Diseases"

To whom it may concern： Co-organized by the Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences ＆ Yunnan Province and Zoological Research, two special issues for Primates and Animal models of Human diseases [32（1）,2011 ＆ 33（1）,2012] have been released. The first special issue [32（1）, 2011] has significantly increased the journal hits on PubMed （500 times more than last month） and during the next couple of months, the editorial office received about 40 related submissions. After peer-reviewing, 18 manuscripts have been accepted and published in the second special issue [33（1）,2012].

Voxel-based analyses of magnetization transfer imaging of the brain in hepatic encephalopathy

AIM: To evaluate the spatial distribution of cerebral abnormalities in cirrhotic subjects with and without hepatic encephalopathy (HE) found with magnetization transfer imaging (MTI).METHODS: Nineteen cirrhotic patients graded from neurologically normal to HE grade 2 and 18 healthy control subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging. They gave institutional-review-board-approved written consent. Magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) maps were generated from MTI. We tested for significant differences compared to the control group using statistical non-parametric mapping (SnPM) for a voxelbased evaluation.RESULTS: The MTR of grey and white matter was lower in subjects with more severe HE. Changes were found in patients with cirrhosis without neurological defi cits in the basal ganglia and bilateral white matter. The loss in magnetization transfer increased in severity and spatial extent in patients with overt HE. Patients with HE grade 2 showed an MTR decrease in white and grey matter: the maximum loss of magnetization transfer effect was located in the basal ganglia [SnPM (pseudo-)t = 17.98, P = 0.0001].CONCLUSION: The distribution of MTR changes in HE points to an early involvement of basal ganglia and white matter in HE.

Pathogenesis of achalasia cardia

Achalasia cardia is one of the common causes of motor dysphagia.Though the disease was first described more than 300 years ago,exact pathogenesis of this condition still remains enigmatic.Pathophysiologically,achalasia cardia is caused by loss of inhibitory ganglion in the myenteric plexus of the esophagus.In the initial stage,degeneration of inhibitory nerves in the esophagus results in unopposed action of excitatory neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine,resulting in high amplitude non-peristaltic contractions(vigorous achalasia);progressive loss of cholinergic neurons over time results in dilation and low amplitude simultaneous contractions in the esophageal body(classic achalasia).Since the initial description,several studies have attempted to explore initiating agents that may cause the disease,such as viral infection,other environmental factors,autoimmunity,and genetic factors.Though Chagas disease,which mimics achalasia,is caused by an infective agent,available evidence suggests that infection may not be an independent cause of primary achalasia.A genetic basis for achalasia is supported by reports showing occurrence of disease in monozygotic twins,siblings and other first-degree relatives and occurrence in association with other genetic diseases such as Down's syndrome and Parkinson's disease.Polymorphisms in genes encoding for nitric oxide synthase,receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide,interleukin 23 and the ALADIN gene have been reported.However,studies on larger numbers of patients and controls from different ethnic groups are needed before definite conclusions can be obtained.Currently,the disease is believed to be multi-factorial,with autoimmune mechanisms triggered by infection in a genetically predisposed individual leading to degeneration of inhibitory ganglia in the wall of the esophagus.

A novel positive modulator of GABA_(A) receptor exhibiting antidepressive properties

γ-Aminobutyric acid(GABA) neurotransmission alterations have been implicated to play a role in depression pathogenesis. While GABA_(A) receptor positive allosteric modulators are emerging as promising in clinical practice, their precise antidepressant mechanism remains to be further elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of LY-02, a novel compound derived from the metabolite of timosaponin, on depression in animals and its mechanism. The results of behavioral tests showed that LY-02 exhibited better antidepressant effects in both male C57BL/6 mice and Sprague Dawley(SD) rats. The results of cellular voltage clamp experiments showed that LY-02 enhanced GABA-mediated currents in HEK293T cells expressing recombinant α6β3δ subunitcontaining GABA_(A) receptors. Electrophysiological recording from brain slices showed that LY-02 decreased the amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current(sIPSC) and increased action potentials of pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC) of C57BL/6 mice. Western blot results showed that LY-02 dose-dependently up-regulated the protein expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), tropomyosin related kinase B(TrkB) and postsynaptic density protein 95(PSD-95) in m PFC of mice. The above results suggest that LY-02, as a positive modulator of GABA_(A) receptors, reduces inhibitory neurotransmission in pyramidal neurons. It further activates the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway, thus exerting antidepressant effects. It suggests that LY-02 is a potential novel therapeutic agent for depression treatment.

Role of brain serotonin in modulating fish behavior

The organization of the brain serotonergic system appears to have been highly conserved across the vertebrate subphylum. In fish as well as in other vertebrates, brain serotonin （5-HT）, mainly acts as a neuromodulator with complex effects on multiple functions. It is becoming increasingly clear that acute and chronic increase in brain 5-HT neurotransmission have very different effects. An acute 5-HT activation, which is seen in both winners and losers of agonistic interactions, could be related to a general arousal effect, whereas the chronic activation observed in subordinate fish is clearly linked to the behavioral inhibition displayed by these individuals. Fish displaying diver- gent stress coping styles （proactive vs. reactive） differ in 5-HT functions. In teleost fish, brain monoaminergic function is also related to life history traits.

Presynaptic inhibition of nociceptive neurotransmission by somatosensory neuron-secreted suppressors

Noxious stimuli cause pain by activating cutaneous nociceptors.The Aδ-and C-fibers of dorsal root ganglion(DRG) neurons convey the nociceptive signals to the laminae Ⅰ—Ⅱ of spinal cord.In the dorsal horn of spinal cord,the excitatory afferent synaptic transmission is regulated by the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid and modulators such as opioid peptides released from the spinal interneurons,and by serotonin,norepinepherine and dopamine from the descending inhibitory system.In contrast to the accumulated evidence for these central inhibitors and their neural circuits in the dorsal spinal cord,the knowledge about the endogenous suppressive mechanisms in nociceptive DRG neurons remains very limited.In this review,we summarize our recent findings of the presynaptic suppressive mechanisms in nociceptive neurons,the BNP/NPR-A/PKG/BK_(Ca) channel pathway,the FSTL1/α1Na^+-K^+ ATPase pathway and the activin C/ERK pathway.These endogenous suppressive systems in the mechanoheat nociceptors may also contribute differentially to the mechanisms of nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain or inflammation-induced pain.

Wnt signaling in the nervous system and in Alzheimer＇s disease

Wnts comprise a large family of proteins that have shown to be part of a signaling cascade that regulates several aspects of develop- ment including organogenesis, mid brain development as welt as stem cell proliferation. Wnt signaling pathway plays different roles in the development of neuronal circuits and also in the adult brain, where it regulates synaptic transmission and plasticity. It has been also implicated in various diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, reflecting its relevance in fundamental biological pro- cesses. This review summarizes the progress about Wnts function in mature nervous system with a focus on Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）. We discuss the prospects of modulating canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling as a strategy for neuroprotection. This will include the potential of Wnts to： （i） act as potent regulators of hippocampai synapses and impact in learning and memory; （ii） regulate adult neurogenesis; and finally （iii） control AD pathogenesis.

Study of Neuropathways of Acupuncture Effect on Functional Regulation and Disease Treatment

Objective： To reveal the neuropathways of acupuncture effect on regulation of autonomic functions, treatment of diseases and the relationship between treating acupoint and certain target tissue or organ. Methods： it is reviewed for the authors＇ studies of characteristics of afferent nerve response, somato-sympathetic reflex （one of the somato-autonomic reflexes） and glutamate derived central modulation, target tissue and organ responses to somatic stimulation of acupuncture or electrical shock in rats and mice. Results and Conclusion： An electrical discharge from the nerve afferent serving Zusanli （ST 36） was recorded by applying manual acupuncture or electroacupuncture to Zusanli （ST 36）. Such process could be replaced by applying electric shock directly to the afferent nerve assumingly. Somatic electrical stimulation of the afferent nerve e.g. tibia nerve can reflexively elicit an electrical discharge from autonomic efferent nerve e.g. sympathetic nerve that is defined as somato-sympathetic reflex. The reflex can be modulated by an excitatory neurotransmitter of glutamate in the central pathways. On the other hand, somatic stimulation of Zusanli （ST 36）, etc. by electroacupuncture showed that there were inhibitory modulation of somatic sensory input from target tissue of the inflammatory pain in the hind paw of the mouse and visceral sensory input from target organ of the colorectum hyperagesia in the irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） rat. Spinal GABA and NMDA receptors were proved to be involved in the former and latter processes, respectively.

Prediction of Heat Transfer Rates for Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers by Artificial Neural Networks Approach

This work used artificial neural network(ANN)to predict the heat transfer rates of shell-and-tube heatexchangers with segmental baffles or continuous helical baffles,based on limited experimental data.The BackPropagation (BP) algorithm was used in training the networks.Different network configurations were alsostudied.The deviation between the predicted results and experimental data was less than 2%.Comparison withcorrelation for prediction shows ANN superiority.It is recommended that ANN can be easily used to predict theperformances of thermal systems in engineering applications,especially to model heat exchangers for heattransfer analysis.

Astrocyte calcium wave induces seizure-like behavior in neuron network

It has been revealed experimentally that astrocytes can participate in synaptic transmission by modulating and responding to the release of neurotransmitters with calcium elevations. Researches suggest that seizure-like discharges(SDs) or seizure-like firings(SFs) in neurons, characterizing neurological disorder, may arise locally in restricted areas(focal area) and then propagate throughout the brain. But the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To study the possible role astrocytes playing in the SDs propagation, we construct a minimal neuron-astrocyte network model by connecting a neurons chain and an astrocytes chain.The focal area is modelled by an IP3 reservoir which provides persistent IP3 out-flux. The study suggests that calcium wave propagation in astrocytes determines the propagation of SDs in the connected neurons. On the other hand, SDs in neurons allows the calcium wave propagates longer distance in the astrocytes, which suggests the mutually cooperating of astrocytes and neurons in accomplishing SD propagation. Furthermore, once SDs propagate and occupy the neuron network, it could not be terminated by recovery of the focal area. The results may imply that treatment of brain disorders should not only focus on local area but the whole neuron network.