Refinement of the Retinogeniculate Synapse by Bouton Clustering

SummaryMammalian sensory circuits become refined over development in an activity-dependent manner. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons from each eye first map to their target in the geniculate and then segregate into eye-specific layers by the removal and addition of axon branches. Once segregation is complete, robust functional remodeling continues as the number of afferent inputs to each geniculate neuron decreases from many to a few. It is widely assumed that large-scale axon retraction underlies this later phase of circuit refinement. On the contrary, RGC axons remain stable during functional pruning. Instead, presynaptic boutons grow in size and cluster during this process. Moreover, they exhibit dynamic spatial reorganization in response to sensory experience. Surprisingly, axon complexity decreases only after the completion of the thalamic critical period. Therefore, dynamic bouton redistribution along a broad axon backbone represents an unappreciated form of plasticity underlying developmental wiring and rewiring in the CNS

Long-Term Seizure Suppression and Optogenetic Analyses of Synaptic Connectivity in Epileptic Mice with Hippocampal Grafts of GABAergic Interneurons

Studies in rodent epilepsy models suggest that GABAergic interneuron progenitor grafts can reduce hyperexcitability and seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Although integration of the transplanted cells has been proposed as the underlying mechanism for these disease-modifying effects, prior studies have not explicitly examined cell types and synaptic mechanisms for long-term seizure suppression. To address this gap, we transplanted medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) cells from embryonic day 13.5 VGAT-Venus or VGAT-ChR2-EYFP transgenic embryos into the dentate gyrus (DG) of adult mice 2 weeks after induction of TLE with pilocarpine. Beginning 3–4 weeks after status epilepticus, we conducted continuous video-electroencephalographic recording until 90–100 d. TLE mice with bilateral MGE cell grafts in the DG had significantly fewer and milder electrographic seizures, compared with TLE controls. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the transplants contained multiple neuropeptide or calcium-binding protein-expressing interneuron types and these cells established dense terminal arborizations onto the somas, apical dendrites, and axon initial segments of dentate granule cells (GCs). A majority of the synaptic terminals formed by the transplanted cells were apposed to large postsynaptic clusters of gephyrin, indicative of mature inhibitory synaptic complexes. Functionality of these new inhibitory synapses was demonstrated by optogenetically activating VGAT-ChR2-EYFP-expressing transplanted neurons, which generated robust hyperpolarizations in GCs. These findings suggest that fetal GABAergic interneuron grafts may suppress pharmacoresistant seizures by enhancing synaptic inhibition in DG neural circuits

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Organizational culture of the university and innovation companies as seen by students of Tomsk universities

Представленная статья относится к категории кейсов и представляет прикладное исследование, осуществленное Научно-производственной фирмой «Микран» совместно с НИ ТГУ. Целью написания статьи было представление результатов сравнительного исследования организационной культуры четырех инновационных компаний Томска и трех томских университетов: ТУСУРа, НИ ТГУ, НИ ТПУ1. Исследование позволило прояснить позицию и ожидания выпускников университетов, связанные с будущей работой на предприятии, и сопоставить их с ожиданиями компаний. Предметом исследования была организационная культура в соответствии с представлением о ней как инструменте развития организации и формирования профессиональной позиции сотрудников. Основой методологии исследований была теория организационной культуры Ка-мерона-Куинна, методикой - опросник OCAI. Для получения дополнительной информации от студентов об ожиданиях относительно их будущей работы использовалась специально разработанная анкета. Исследование показало, что, по представлениям студентов, вуз скорее сосредоточен на своих внутренних проблемах, управляемости и контроле деятельности и сотрудников. Студенты отмечают в культуре университетов существенные внутренние различия и противоречивые тенденции: одновременно приоритет правил и процедур и внимание к сохранению традиций и отношений, и стремление занимать лидирующие позиции за счет решения сложных задач, новаторства. В самом общем виде культура вузов видится студентам такой, в которой инновационный аспект касается целевых устремлений, а бюрократические и клановые механизмы определяют процесс управления людьми и взаимоотношения. Данные, полученные относительно ожиданий выпускников, показали, что они видят культуру идеальной компании как совмещающей ценностные ориентации клановой и адхо-кратической культур: т. е. хотели бы оказаться в дружественно-ориентированном месте работы, с поддержкой, соучастием и наставническим руководством. Студенты хотели бы видеть гибкие и творческие условия работы, а меньше всего они готовы встраиваться в организацию с жесткой структурой и контролем, где основу отношений составляет конкуренция. Анализ результатов опроса сотрудников и руководителей «Микрана», топ-менеджеров компаний «Ролсиб», ООО «СЭТК», ООО «Компания Промышленная Электроника» показал, что тенденция в развитии культуры инжиниринговых компаний состоит в увеличении значимости ценностей адхократической и рыночной культур. Проведенное исследование позволило обнаружить главный компе-тентностный дефицит выпускников и предмет рассогласования их ожиданий и требований компаний к персоналу. Компании ждут от потенциального сотрудника готовности к высокой степени автономности, самоорганизации, инициативности, целенаправленности (ориентации на результат), самостоятельности и готовности к риску и неопределенности, в то время как сами студенты демонстрируют ориентацию на комфорт, безопасность и защищенность, выказывают желание получать поддержку, заботу и обеспеченность от компании. Полученные результаты позволят компании «Микран» точнее выстроить работу по развитию своего бренда работодателя и развивать эффективное сотрудничество с вузами и их студентами и выпускниками. Выводы исследования могут быть также учтены университетами при развитии своей организационной культуры, выстраиванию образовательной политики и работы по формированию профессиональной позиции и компетенций будущего специалиста.This article falls under the case category and presents an applied research conducted by research and manufacturing company Mikran Jsc together with NRTSU. The aim of the article is to present the results of comparative study of organizational culture at four innovation companies in Tomsk and three Tomsk universities: NRTSU, NRTPU and TSU1. The research has helped in understanding the position and expectations of university graduates related to their future work at the company and compare them with company expectations. The topic of the research was organizational culture according to its understanding as an instrument of organization development and formation of employees' professional position. The main methodology of the research was the organizational culture theory by Cameron - Quinn and the main method used was OCAI questionnaire. In order to get additional information concerning students' expectations in relation with their future work the authors used specially designed questionnaire. The research has demonstrated that according to students' understanding university is concentrated on its internal problems, manageability and activity and personnel control. Students see significant internal differences and contradicting tendencies at the university culture: domination of rules and procedures, attention to preservation of traditions and relations and at the same time desire to take leading positions by solving complex tasks and using innovative approach. In general students see university culture as follows: innovation aspects are related to aspirations whereas communication and personnel management are defined by bureaucratic and clan mechanisms. The data concerning graduates' expectations demonstrate that they see the culture of ideal company as a mixture of value oriented clan and adhocratic culture: they would like to find themselves in a friendship oriented place of work, feel support understanding and mentorship of their peers. Students would like to see flexible and creative work environment and they are not prepared to enter organization with a rigid structure and control where relations are based on competition..Analysis of employees and top managers of Mikran Jsc., top managers of Rolsib, SATK Ltd., Industrial Electronics Ltd. shows that engineering companies' culture demonstrates the trend towards increasing value of adhocratic and market cultures. Conducted research allowed for identifying the main competence deficit of the graduates and the gap between their expectations and company requirements towards personnel. Companies expect their employees to demonstrate high level of independence, self-organization, initiative, target orientation and ability to cope with risks and volatility whereas students are oriented towards comfort, security and safety and are willing to obtain support, care and provision from the company. Obtained results allow Micran Jsc. to alter its efforts on developing its employer's brand and develop effective cooperation with universities, their students and graduates. Research results can be useful for universities in developing their organization culture, educational policy and work on forming professional position and competencies of future specialists