High quality genome assembly and annotation (v1) of the eukaryotic freshwater microalga Coccomyxa elongata SAG 216-3b.

Unicellular green algae of the genus Coccomyxa are recognized for their worldwide distribution and ecological versatility. Coccomyxa elongata is a freshwater species of the Coccomyxa simplex clade, which also includes lichen symbionts. To facilitate future molecular and phylogenomic studies of this versatile clade of algae, we generated a high-quality genome assembly for Coccomyxa elongata Chodat & Jaag SAG 216-3b within the framework of the Biodiversity Genomics Center Cologne (BioC2) initiative.

Distinct functional domains of Dystroglycan regulate inhibitory synapse formation and maintenance in cerebellar Purkinje cells.

Dystroglycan is a cell adhesion molecule that localizes to synapses throughout the nervous system. While Dystroglycan is required to maintain inhibitory synapses from cerebellar molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) onto Purkinje cells (PCs) whether initial synaptogenesis during development is dependent on Dystroglycan has not been examined. We show that conditional deletion of from Purkinje cells prior to synaptogenesis results in impaired MLI:PC synapse formation and function due to reduced presynaptic inputs and abnormal postsynaptic GABA receptor clustering.

Binary classification of dead detector elements in flat panel detectors using convolutional neural networks.

Medical physicists routinely perform quality assurance on digital detection systems, part of which involves the testing of flat panel detectors. Flat panels may degrade over time as an increasing number of individual detector elements begin to malfunction. The pixels that correspond to these elements are corrected for using information elsewhere in the detector system, however these corrected elements still constitute a loss in image quality for the system as a whole.

Altered Hippocampal Activation in Seizure-Prone Knock-out Mice.

The voltage-gated calcium channel subunit α2δ-2 controls calcium-dependent signaling in neurons, and loss of this subunit causes epilepsy in both mice and humans. To determine whether mice without α2δ-2 demonstrate hippocampal activation or histopathological changes associated with seizure activity, we measured expression of the activity-dependent gene c and various histopathological correlates of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in hippocampal tissue from wild-type (WT) and α2δ-2 knock-out ( KO) mice using immunohistochemical staining and confocal microscopy. Both genotypes demonstrated similarly sparse c- and expressions within the hippocampal dentate granule cell layer (GCL) at baseline, consistent with no difference in basal activity of granule cells between genotypes.

Indirect reciprocity undermines indirect reciprocity destabilizing large-scale cooperation.

Previous models suggest that indirect reciprocity (reputation) can stabilize large-scale human cooperation [K. Panchanathan, R. Boyd, , 499-502 (2004)].

Persistent Kv7.2/7.3 downregulation in the rat pilocarpine model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

Mutations within the Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 genes are well described causes for genetic childhood epilepsies.

Inhibitory CCK+ basket synapse defects in mouse models of dystroglycanopathy.

Dystroglycan (Dag1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that links the extracellular matrix to the actin cytoskeleton. Mutations in or the genes required for its glycosylation result in dystroglycanopathy, a type of congenital muscular dystrophy characterized by a wide range of phenotypes including muscle weakness, brain defects, and cognitive impairment. We investigated interneuron (IN) development, synaptic function, and associated seizure susceptibility in multiple mouse models that reflect the wide phenotypic range of dystroglycanopathy neuropathology.

Outcomes Associated With Intracranial Aneurysm Treatments Reported as Safe, Effective, or Durable: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Testing new medical devices or procedures in terms of safety, effectiveness, and durability should follow the strictest methodological rigor before implementation.

Objectives: To review and analyze studies investigating devices and procedures used in intracranial aneurysm (IA) treatment for methods and completeness of reporting and to compare the results of studies with positive, uncertain, and negative conclusions.

Data Sources: Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials were searched for studies on IA treatment published between January 1, 1995, and the October 1, 2022.

Volatile Characterization of Lychee Plant Tissues () and the Effect of Key Compounds on the Behavior of the Lychee Erinose Mite ().

Herbivore-Induced Plant Volatiles (HIPVs) are volatile signals emitted by plants to deter herbivores and attract their natural enemies. To date, it is unknown how lychee plants, , respond to the induction of leaf galls (erinea) caused by the lychee erinose mite (LEM), . Aiming to reveal the role of HIPVs in this plant-mite interaction, we investigated changes in the volatile profile of lychee plants infested by LEM and their role on LEM preferences.

Piperitone (-Menth-1-En-3-One): A New Repellent for Tea Shot Hole Borer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Florida Avocado Groves.

The tea shot hole borer, , has been recently established in Florida, USA, where it vectors fungal pathogens that cause dieback in avocado. Pest monitoring uses a two-component lure containing quercivorol and α-copaene. Incorporation of a repellent into IPM programs may reduce the incidence of dieback in avocado groves, particularly if combined with lures in a push-pull system.

Dosimetric evaluation of the feasibility of utilizing a reduced number of interstitial needles in combined intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the ability of the Venezia advanced multichannel tandem and ring applicator to consistently produce dosimetrically comparable plans utilizing a reduced number of needle channels, to reduce the risk of secondary complications when boosting cervical cancer treatments with high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy.

Methods: We evaluated 26 fractions from 13 patients who were treated with HDR brachytherapy using the Venezia (Elekta) applicator. The original plans included a full load of 12-16 needles, including both parallel and 30-degree oblique needles.

Adaptive Mossy Cell Circuit Plasticity after Status Epilepticus.

Hilar mossy cells regulate network function in the hippocampus through both direct excitation and di-synaptic inhibition of dentate granule cells (DGCs). Substantial mossy cell loss accompanies hippocampal circuit changes in epilepsy. We examined the contribution of surviving mossy cells to network activity in the reorganized dentate gyrus after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE).

Volatile Emissions and Relative Attraction of the Fungal Symbionts of Tea Shot Hole Borer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

is an ambrosia beetle that vectors fungal pathogens causing dieback in Florida avocado trees. Current monitoring lures contain quercivorol, a fungus-produced volatile, but the exact attractant is unknown since lures contain a mixture of -menth-2-en-1-ol isomers and both α- and β-phellandrene. This study used pure cultures of six symbiotic fungi isolated from to document volatile emissions and determine the relative attraction of symbionts in binary choice assays.

Paradox of diversity in the collective brain.

Human societies are collective brains. People within every society have cultural brains-brains that have evolved to selectively seek out adaptive knowledge and socially transmit solutions. Innovations emerge at a population level through the transmission of serendipitous mistakes, incremental improvements and novel recombinations.

α2δ-2 is required for depolarization-induced suppression of excitation in Purkinje cells.

α2δ proteins (CACNA2D1-4) are required for normal neurological function and contribute to membrane trafficking of voltage-gated calcium channels, through which calcium entry initiates numerous physiological processes. However, it remains unclear how α2δ proteins influence calcium-mediated signalling to control neuronal output. Using whole-cell recordings of mouse Purkinje cells, we show that α2δ-2 is required for functional coupling of postsynaptic voltage-dependent calcium entry with calcium-dependent effector mechanisms controlling two different outputs, depolarization-induced suppression of excitation and spike afterhyperpolarization.

Construction and validation of an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation system using locally available components.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, is responsible for a global pandemic characterized by high transmissibility and morbidity. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of contracting COVID-19, but this risk has been mitigated through the use of personal protective equipment such as N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs). At times the high demand for FFRs has exceeded supply, placing HCWs at increased exposure risk.

Longitudinal Course of Traumatic Brain Injury Biomarkers for the Prediction of Clinical Outcomes: A Review.

Protein biomarkers are often measured at hospital presentation to diagnose traumatic brain injury (TBI) and predict patient outcomes. However, a biomarker measurement at this single time point is no more accurate at predicting patient outcomes than less invasive and more cost-effective methods. Here, we review evidence that TBI biomarkers provide greater prognostic value when measured repeatedly over time, such that a trajectory of biomarker concentrations can be evaluated.

Roadmap for Conducting Neuroscience Research in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond: Recommendations From the SNACC Research Committee.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted many aspects of neuroscience research. At the 2020 Society of Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care (SNACC) Annual Meeting, the SNACC Research Committee met virtually to discuss research challenges encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic along with possible strategies for facilitating research activities. These challenges and recommendations are included in this Consensus Statement.

Homegrown Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation for Hospital-Based N95 Decontamination during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, is responsible for the 2020 global pandemic and characterized by high transmissibility and morbidity. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of contracting COVID-19, and this risk is mitigated through the use of personal protective equipment such as N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs). The high demand for FFRs is not currently met by global supply chains, potentially placing HCWs at increased exposure risk.

α2δ-2 Protein Controls Structure and Function at the Cerebellar Climbing Fiber Synapse.

α2δ proteins () are auxiliary subunits of voltage-dependent calcium channels that also drive synapse formation and maturation. Because cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) predominantly, if not exclusively, express one isoform of this family, α2δ-2 (), we used PCs as a model system to examine roles of α2δ in excitatory synaptic function in male and female knock-out (KO) mice. Whole-cell recordings of PCs from acute cerebellar slices revealed altered climbing fiber (CF)-evoked complex spike generation, as well as increased amplitude and faster decay of CF-evoked EPSCs.

Neuronal network remodeling and Wnt pathway dysregulation in the intra-hippocampal kainate mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Mouse models of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy recapitulate aspects of human epilepsy, which is characterized by neuronal network remodeling in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Observational studies suggest that this remodeling is associated with altered Wnt pathway signaling, although this has not been experimentally examined. We used the well-characterized mouse intrahippocampal kainate model of temporal lobe epilepsy to examine associations between hippocampal neurogenesis and altered Wnt signaling after seizure induction.

Exercise-induced enhancement of synaptic function triggered by the inverse BAR protein, Mtss1L.

Exercise is a potent enhancer of learning and memory, yet we know little of the underlying mechanisms that likely include alterations in synaptic efficacy in the hippocampus. To address this issue, we exposed mice to a single episode of voluntary exercise, and permanently marked activated mature hippocampal dentate granule cells using conditional Fos-TRAP mice. Exercise-activated neurons (Fos-TRAPed) showed an input-selective increase in dendritic spines and excitatory postsynaptic currents at 3 days post-exercise, indicative of exercise-induced structural plasticity.