The connectome of the adult Drosophila mushroom body provides insights into function.

Making inferences about the computations performed by neuronal circuits from synapse-level connectivity maps is an emerging opportunity in neuroscience. The mushroom body (MB) is well positioned for developing and testing such an approach due to its conserved neuronal architecture, recently completed dense connectome, and extensive prior experimental studies of its roles in learning, memory, and activity regulation. Here, we identify new components of the MB circuit in Drosophila, including extensive visual input and MB output neurons (MBONs) with direct connections to descending neurons. We find unexpected structure in sensory inputs, in the transfer of information about different sensory modalities to MBONs, and in the modulation of that transfer by dopaminergic neurons (DANs). We provide insights into the circuitry used to integrate MB outputs, connectivity between the MB and the central complex and inputs to DANs, including feedback from MBONs. Our results provide a foundation for further theoretical and experimental work

A connectome and analysis of the adult Drosophila central brain.

The neural circuits responsible for animal behavior remain largely unknown. We summarize new methods and present the circuitry of a large fraction of the brain of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Improved methods include new procedures to prepare, image, align, segment, find synapses in, and proofread such large data sets. We define cell types, refine computational compartments, and provide an exhaustive atlas of cell examples and types, many of them novel. We provide detailed circuits consisting of neurons and their chemical synapses for most of the central brain. We make the data public and simplify access, reducing the effort needed to answer circuit questions, and provide procedures linking the neurons defined by our analysis with genetic reagents. Biologically, we examine distributions of connection strengths, neural motifs on different scales, electrical consequences of compartmentalization, and evidence that maximizing packing density is an important criterion in the evolution of the fly's brain

Efficient Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Highly Acidic Substrates, Nitroacetates

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling conditions were developed that efficiently afford 2-aryl-2-nitroacetates from aryl bromides and the very acidic nitroacetates

The heterotopic heart transplantation in mice as a small animal model to study mechanical unloading - Establishment of the procedure, perioperative management and postoperative scoring.

BackgroundUnloading of failing hearts by left ventricular assist devices induces an extensive cardiac remodeling which may lead to a reversal of the initial phenotype-or to its deterioration. The mechanisms underlying these processes are unclear.HypothesisHeterotopic heart transplantion (hHTX) is an accepted model for the study of mechanical unloading in rodents. The wide variety of genetically modified strains in mice provides an unique opportunity to examine remodeling pathways. However, the procedure is technically demanding and has not been extensively used in this area. To support investigators adopting this method, we present our experience establishing the abdominal hHTX in mice and describe refinements to the technique.MethodsIn this model, the transplanted heart is vascularised but implanted in series, and therefore does not contribute to systemic circulation and results in a complete mechanical unloading of the donor heart. Training followed a systematic program using a combination of literature, video tutorials, cadaveric training, direct observation and training in live animals.ResultsSuccessful transplantation was defined as a recipient surviving > 24 hours with a palpable, beating apex in the transplanted heart and was achieved after 20 transplants in live animals. A success rate of 90% was reached after 60 transplants. Operative time was shown to decrease in correlation with increasing number of procedures from 200 minutes to 45 minutes after 60 operations. Cold/warm ischemia time improved from 45/100 to 10/20 minutes. Key factors for success and trouble shootings were identified.ConclusionAbdominal hHTX in the mouse may enable future examination of specific pathways in unloading induced myocardial remodeling. Establishment of the technique, however, is challenging. Structured training programs utilising a variety of training methods can help to expedite the process. Postoperative management, including daily scoring increases animal wellbeing and helps to predict survival

A connectome and analysis of the adult Drosophila central brain.

The neural circuits responsible for animal behavior remain largely unknown. We summarize new methods and present the circuitry of a large fraction of the brain of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Improved methods include new procedures to prepare, image, align, segment, find synapses in, and proofread such large data sets. We define cell types, refine computational compartments, and provide an exhaustive atlas of cell examples and types, many of them novel. We provide detailed circuits consisting of neurons and their chemical synapses for most of the central brain. We make the data public and simplify access, reducing the effort needed to answer circuit questions, and provide procedures linking the neurons defined by our analysis with genetic reagents. Biologically, we examine distributions of connection strengths, neural motifs on different scales, electrical consequences of compartmentalization, and evidence that maximizing packing density is an important criterion in the evolution of the fly's brain

A connectome and analysis of the adult Drosophila central brain

The neural circuits responsible for animal behavior remain largely unknown. We summarize new methods and present the circuitry of a large fraction of the brain of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Improved methods include new procedures to prepare, image, align, segment, find synapses in, and proofread such large data sets. We define cell types, refine computational compartments, and provide an exhaustive atlas of cell examples and types, many of them novel. We provide detailed circuits consisting of neurons and their chemical synapses for most of the central brain. We make the data public and simplify access, reducing the effort needed to answer circuit questions, and provide procedures linking the neurons defined by our analysis with genetic reagents. Biologically, we examine distributions of connection strengths, neural motifs on different scales, electrical consequences of compartmentalization, and evidence that maximizing packing density is an important criterion in the evolution of the fly’s brain

Ubiquitination, Ubiquitin-like Modifiers, and Deubiquitination in Viral Infection

Ubiquitin is important for nearly every aspect of cellular physiology. All viruses rely extensively on host machinery for replication; therefore, it is not surprising that viruses connect to the ubiquitin pathway at many levels. Viral involvement with ubiquitin occurs either adventitiously because of the unavoidable usurpation of cellular processes, or for some specific purpose selected for by the virus to enhance viral replication. Here, we review current knowledge of how the ubiquitin pathway alters viral replication and how viruses influence the ubiquitin pathway to enhance their own replication