A Guide to the Brain Initiative Cell Census Network Data Ecosystem

Characterizing cellular diversity at different levels of biological organization and across data modalities is a prerequisite to understanding the function of cell types in the brain. Classification of neurons is also essential to manipulate cell types in controlled ways and to understand their variation and vulnerability in brain disorders. The BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) is an integrated network of data-generating centers, data archives, and data standards developers, with the goal of systematic multimodal brain cell type profiling and characterization. Emphasis of the BICCN is on the whole mouse brain with demonstration of prototype feasibility for human and nonhuman primate (NHP) brains. Here, we provide a guide to the cellular and spatial approaches employed by the BICCN, and to accessing and using these data and extensive resources, including the BRAIN Cell Data Center (BCDC), which serves to manage and integrate data across the ecosystem. We illustrate the power of the BICCN data ecosystem through vignettes highlighting several BICCN analysis and visualization tools. Finally, we present emerging standards that have been developed or adopted toward Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) neuroscience. The combined BICCN ecosystem provides a comprehensive resource for the exploration and analysis of cell types in the brain

Neutralinos of the U(1)-extended MSSM: from colliders to cosmology

The neutralino sector of the U(1) extended SUSY is presented and some collider and cosmology-related phenomenology discussed

Monitoring survey of nitrate content in beetroot, radish and cabbage in Poland

Background. Nitrates, compounds commonly occurring in nature, are present for example in vegetables, where they accumulate and become their contaminants. It is estimated that approximately 70-90% of nitrates intake comes from vegetables, which are therefore the main source of human exposure to these compounds through dietary intake. The European Union legislation limits nitrates as contaminants to three leafy vegetables, i.e. lettuce, spinach and rucola. The EU Member States are obliged to monitor nitrate levels in vegetables which may contain significant levels of these compounds. Objective. To present the results of monitoring surveys on nitrate levels in radish and beetroot as well as in cabbage carried out in Poland between 2012 and 2019. Material and methods. A total of 966 vegetable samples were tested. Chemical analyses were carried out in accredited laboratories of the State Sanitary Inspection. Analyses were performed by spectrophotometric methods using nitrate reduction on cadmium columns or by HPLC. Results. The median nitrate content in beetroot was 1,260.0 mg NO− 3 /kg, whilst at the 95th percentile level - 3,222.2 mg NO− 3 /kg. The levels of nitrates in beetroot preserves were lower: 1,030.3 mg NO− 3 /kg (median) and 2337,2 mg NO− 3 /kg (95th percentile). The median content of nitrates in radish and cabbage was 1,337.0 mg NO− 3 /kg and 369,0 mg NO− 3 /kg respectively, while at the 95th percentile the content of these compounds was found to be 3,381.5 mg NO− 3 /kg and 1545,8 mg NO− 3 /kg, respectively. Conclusions. The nitrate content in radish and cabbage does not pose a risk to the health of consumers, whilst the consumption of beetroot containing significant amounts of the above mentioned compounds may result in exceeding the ADI especially for young children

The low-FODMAP diet as an effective tool for managing irritable bowel syndrome – an assessment of adult patients’ knowledge of dietary guidelines

Background. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastrointestinal disorder that is driven by the gut- brain axis and affects 1-20% of the population. Most patients note that various foods elicit abdominal symptoms, and they eliminate these products from their diets. A diet that is low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) is currently one of the mainstays in IBS treatment. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of IBS patients about the disease, treatment and the principles of the low-FODMAP diet that can alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms. Material and methods. The participants were adults diagnosed with IBS, the inclusion criteria were: absence of comorbidities requiring an elimination diet, age over 18 years, and consent to participate in the study. The respondents filled out an anonymous questionnaire containing questions about the IBS diagnosis, disease history and treatment, as well as 45 questions assessing the participants’ knowledge about the low-FODMAP diet. Results. In 28% of the cases, IBS was diagnosed by a general practitioner; in nearly 40% of the cases – by a gastroenterology specialist; in 10% of the cases – by a dietitian, whereas the remaining respondents had arrived at the diagnosis independently or with the help of support groups for IBS patients. After diagnosis, only every fourth respondent sought treatment in a gastroenterology clinic. In the studied population, 237 of the respondents had followed to the low-FODMAP diet, and the differentiating factors were sex (p=0.002), place of residence (city with apopulation higher than 100,000 vs. rural area; p=0.0001) and education (university vs. vocational school p=0.0043). Respondents who had been recently diagnosed with IBS (less than 12 months vs. more than 12 months before the study) were more likely to follow the FODMAP diet. Conclusions. The surveyed population was characterized by high levels of knowledge about the low-FODMAP diet, but many respondents did not strictly comply with dietary guidelines, in particular the duration of each dietary phase. Age was significantly correlated with the respondents’ knowledge, and the participants’ familiarity with low-FODMAP guidelines decreased with age. Nutritional consultations did not significantly improve the respondents’ knowledge about the low-FODMAP diet

Ocena zawartosci jodku potasowego w krajowej soli spozywczej

Zbadano 3418 próbek soli spożywczej, w tym 2440 próbek soli jodowanej. Odsetek próbek, w których stwierdzono właściwą zawartość jodku potasowego wynosił od 30% do 50% w zależności od producenta soli.The purpose of the study was to assess the correctness of salt iodination and its distribution in Poland. The subject of the study was salt for human consumption iodinated or not, according to Polish norm PN-88/C-84081/02 „Sól (chlorek sodowy). Requirements. Salt samples were taken from retail shops or stores in 36 provinces. The study was carried out in the years 1992-1993 according to PN-80/C-84081.35 „Sól (chlorek sodowy) standard. Potassium iodide was determined by photo-colorimetry. The total number of studied salt samples was 3418, including 2440 samples of iodinated salt. The per cent of samples with proper content of potassium iodide was from 30% to 50% depending on the producer. The study demonstrated that in most cases the process of salt iodination is done incorrectly

Dark matter in the U(1) extended SUSY

The neutralino sector of the U(1) extended SUSY is presented and some collider and cosmology-related phenomenology discussed. <br/

Regional differentiation of the balance of soil organic matter in Podkarpackie province

Określono zmiany regionalnego zróżnicowania bilansu glebowej materii organicznej (MOG) na tle warunków siedliskowych i organizacyjno-ekonomicznych w województwie podkarpackim na przestrzeni lat 2002–2012. Podstawę analizy stanowiły dane Urzędu Statystycznego w Rzeszowie oraz informacje ze starostw powiatowych województwa podkarpackiego. Bilans materii organicznej gleby obliczono, wykorzystując współczynniki jej degradacji i reprodukcji. Uzyskane wyniki opracowano statystycznie, obliczając współczynniki trendu i zmienności oraz przeprowadzając analizę skupień Warda. Ogólny bilans glebowej materii organicznej w województwie podkarpackim w latach 2002–2012 był ujemny i wynosił średnio –0,19 t•ha-1, co powodowało konieczność przyorania słomy w ilości średnio 0,90 t s.m.•ha-1. Zmniejszenie obsady zwierząt z 0,44 DJP•ha-1 w 2002 r. do 0,26 DJP•ha-1 w 2012 r., dodatkowo ograniczyło dopływ do gleby materii organicznej z obornika. Spośród wydzielonych skupień najniższy stopień degradacji glebowej materii organicznej (–0,17 t•ha-1) oraz największą produkcję obornika – ponad 1,27 t s.m.•ha-1 – stwierdzono w powiatach położonych w środkowo-zachodniej części Podkarpacia. Powiaty należące do tego skupienia charakteryzują się największą w województwie obsadą zwierząt 0,51 DJP•ha-1i najniższą intensywnością organizacji produkcji roślinnej, wskutek ekstensywnej uprawy zbóż, zajmujących ponad 80% w strukturze zasiewów. Zdecydowanie ujemne wartości bilansu MOG (–0,45 t•ha-1) odnotowano w powiatach zlokalizowanych w środkowo-wschodniej części Podkarpacia. Duża intensywność organizacji produkcji roślinnej, głównie w powiatach łańcuckim, jarosławskim i przemyskim, z dominacją w strukturze zasiewów pszenicy ozimej, kukurydzy na ziarno oraz rzepaku ozimego, sprzyjała mineralizacji substancji organicznej i występowaniu ujemnego bilansu, dla zrównoważenia którego niezbędne było coroczne nawożenie słomą w ilości ponad 2,14 t•ha-1.The aim of this study was to estimate changes in the regional differentiation of soil organic matter balance against a background of environmental, organizational and economic conditions in Podkarpackie Province. The analysis covered the years 2002–2012 and was based on data from Statistical Office in Rzeszów and from district authorities of Podkarpackie Province. The balance of soil organic matter was calculated using degradation and reproduction coefficients. The obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis, calculating trend and variability coefficients and using Ward’s cluster analysis. Total balance of soil organic matter in Podkarpackie Province in the years 2002–2012 was negative and amounted –0.19 t•ha-1 on average, which resulted in the necessity of ploughing straw in the average amount of 0.90 t DM•ha-1. Reducing livestock density from 0.44 in 2002 to 0.26 LU•ha-1 in 2012 additionally limited the supply of organic matter from farmyard manure to soil. From among the distinguished clusters, the lowest degree of degradation of soil organic matter (–0.17 t•ha-1) and the highest manure production of over 1.27 t DM•ha-1 was found in districts located in the central-western part of Podkarpacie. Localities belonging to this cluster were characterised by the highest animal stock of 0.51 LU•ha-1 and by the lowest intensity of organization of crop production as a result of extensive cultivation of cereals that covered more than 80% in the crop structure. Definitely negative values of soil organic matter balance (–0.45 t•ha-1) were recorded in districts located in the central-eastern part of Podkarpacie. High intensity of crop production organization, mainly in the Łańcut, Jarosław and Przemyśl districts, with predominance of winter wheat, maize for grain and winter oilseed rape in their structure of cropland, favoured mineralization of organic substance and the occurrence of negative balance, which requires annual fertilisation with straw in the amount of more than 2.14 t•ha-1 to achieve the balance