Article
Ecology
Jon Richardson, Marlene Zuk
Summary: Research shows that males generally prefer virgin females, even in species with sperm precedence. Although virginity cannot be selected for in terms of female reproductive success, strong preference for virgins may affect selection on other traits. However, caution is needed in assuming male preference for virgins due to unexplained heterogeneity in effect sizes.
Review
Cell Biology
Priscila Vazquez-Leon, Abraham Miranda-Paez, Kenji Valencia-Flores, Hugo Sanchez-Castillo
Summary: Serotonin is a crucial neurotransmitter that regulates various physiological processes and psychiatric disorders. The periaqueductal gray matter is an important center for defensive behaviors, and electrical stimulation in this region can induce panic, fight-flight, and freezing responses. Serotonergic activity in the periaqueductal gray matter is influenced by other brain areas and the activation of specific receptors, promoting serotonin release. This review emphasizes the role of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A/C receptors in anxiety, panic, fear, analgesia, and aggression, suggesting their potential for the treatment of mental disorders.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Shuyun Xiao, Valerie Michael, Richard Mooney
Summary: This study reveals that neurons suppressing vocalizations are activated by predator cues or inhibitory social contexts in mice. It also uncovers how the brain weighs factors promoting and suppressing vocal production, and how the activation of specific neurons influences the decision to vocalize in mice.
Article
Neurosciences
Jun Zhou, Fang Zeng, Shirui Cheng, Xiaohui Dong, Nannan Jiang, Xinyue Zhang, Chenjian Tang, Wenhua He, Yang Chen, Ning Sun, Yuanfang Zhou, Xinling Li, Shengjie Hu, Ruirui Sun, Max Wintermark, Weihua Yang, Fanrong Liang, Zhengjie Li
Summary: This study compares the modulation effects of acupuncture, NSAIDs, and placebo medication on the DPMS in KOA knee pain patients. The results show that acupuncture treatment can modulate vlPAG DPMS and alleviate knee pain by influencing brain regions associated with cognitive control, attention, and reappraisal.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Huihui Liu, Cheng Zhang, Yanqiong Meng, Fengyu Zhang, Nuo Huang, Jianan Wang, Yiyong Li
Summary: Ginkgo biloba is a dioecious heterophyllous tree species with two leaf types. Long-shoot leaves have lower specific leaf area (SLA) and higher leaf thickness, gas exchange rates, and average tracheid number compared to short-shoot leaves. Male trees have higher leaf hydraulic conductance (K-leaf) and leaf water potential of 50% loss in K-leaf (leaf P50) than short-shoot leaves, while female trees exhibit relatively higher K-leaf. Male trees also have greater leaf gas exchange rates, leaf thickness, leaf dissection index, vein density (VD), and predawn leaf water potential compared to female trees.
Article
Neurosciences
Fernando M. C. V. Reis, Dean Mobbs, Newton S. Canteras, Avishek Adhikari
Summary: This article discusses the central role of the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) in controlling various defensive responses and explores how PAG-centered circuits influence both innate and learned defensive actions in rodents and humans. It highlights the use of traditional methods like lesions, electrical stimulation, and pharmacology, as well as recent advancements in neural activity imaging and anatomical and genetic control methods to gain a better understanding of PAG function.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Maaike E. Straat, Borja Martinez-Tellez, Aashley Sardjoe Mishre, Magdalena M. A. Verkleij, Mirjam Kemmeren, Iris C. M. Pelsma, Juan M. A. Alcantara, Andrea Mendez-Gutierrez, Sander Kooijman, Mariette R. Boon, Patrick C. N. Rensen
Summary: Cold-induced thermogenesis is higher in the morning for males, while lipid metabolism is more modulated in the morning for females.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Biology
Mimi Q. La-Vu, Ekayana Sethi, Sandra Maesta-Pereira, Peter J. Schuette, Brooke C. Tobias, Fernando M. C. Reis, Weisheng Wang, Anita Torossian, Amy Bishop, Saskia J. Leonard, Lilly Lin, Catherine M. Cahill, Avishek Adhikari
Summary: This study reveals the role of specific cells in the midbrain periaqueductal gray in regulating defensive behaviors. Activation or inhibition of certain cells can induce either flight or freezing responses, respectively. The activity of these cells is associated with the distance and location of the threat.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jin Cao, Yue Zhang, Hui Li, Zhaoxian Yan, Xian Liu, Xiaoyan Hou, Weicui Chen, Sierra Hodges, Jian Kong, Bo Liu
Summary: This study found that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) at different frequencies has different modulation effects on the descending pain modulation system, demonstrating the significant role of stimulation frequency in taVNS treatment.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laura A. B. Wilson, Susanne R. K. Zajitschek, Malgorzata Lagisz, Jeremy Mason, Hamed Haselimashhadi, Shinichi Nakagawa
Summary: Sex differences play a significant role in the risk and expression of diseases, but previous research has mainly focused on male animals and cells. Using data from the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium, this study reveals that body weight does not account for all phenotypic differences between male and female mice, highlighting the need for more female-focused research.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Hui Xu, Yilin Chen, Yin Tao, Yiwen Zhang, Teng Zhao, Mi Wang, Lihua Fan, Yunsong Zheng, Chenguang Guo
Summary: This study investigated the altered periaqueductal gray (PAG)-based functional connectivity (FC) in female patients with chronic neck and shoulder pain (CNSP) and the effects of acupuncture treatment on PAG-based FC biomarkers. The results showed that acupuncture treatment may increase PAG-based FC, which was significantly correlated with pain catastrophizing reduction. These findings provide important mechanistic information on therapeutic approaches for chronic neck and shoulder pain.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Victor Mandat, Pawel R. Zdunek, Bartosz Krolicki, Krzysztof Szalecki, Henryk M. Koziara, Konrad Ciecierski, Tomasz S. Mandat
Summary: The study confirms the effectiveness and safety of PAG/PVG DBS in the treatment of refractory neuropathic facial pain. The efficacy of treatment may decrease after 2 years, but burning pain symptoms are most likely to improve. Paresthesia and dysesthesia symptoms may increase after DBS treatment.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Janina Tennler, Daniel Hahn, Brent J. Raiteri
Summary: The research compared the MG MTU ratios of females and males, with a low in-series FL-MTU length ratio indicating that the MG of young, healthy individuals is specialized for energy-efficient stretch-shortening cycles. These findings could provide valuable insights for the actuator design of Hill-type models for the MTU.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chinweike N. Asogwa, Changjiu Zhao, Brandon J. Polzin, Alyse N. Maksimoski, Sarah A. Heimovics, Lauren V. Riters
Summary: This study provides evidence that distinct regions within the periaqueductal gray (PAG) in songbirds may context-specifically regulate song, agonistic, and courtship behaviors. The findings also suggest that inputs to the PAG from subregions of the medial preoptic nucleus may contribute to song and behaviors indicative of social dominance. These results highlight the role of PAG and its inputs in context-specific vocal and social behaviors.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Anant Jain, Catherine S. Woolley
Summary: 17β-estradiol (E2) is synthesized in the hippocampus of both sexes and acutely potentiates excitatory synapses in each sex. The mechanisms for initiation of E2-induced synaptic potentiation differ between males and females, including in the molecular signaling involved. In females, synaptic activity and calcium-permeable AMPARs (cpAMPARs) are necessary for expression of E2-induced potentiation, while in males, nonconductive properties of AMPARs play a larger role.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)