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

Vitalism in contemporary chiropractic: a help or a hinderance?

Background: Chiropractic emerged in 1895 and was promoted as a viable health care substitute in direct competition with the medical profession. This was an era when there was a belief that one cause and one cure for all disease would be discovered. The chiropractic version was a theory that most diseases were caused by subluxated (slightly displaced) vertebrae interfering with “nerve vibrations” (a supernatural, vital force) and could be cured by adjusting (repositioning) vertebrae, thereby removing the interference with the body’s inherent capacity to heal. DD Palmer, the originator of chiropractic, established chiropractic based on vitalistic principles. Anecdotally, the authors have observed that many chiropractors who overtly claim to be “vitalists” cannot define the term. Therefore, we sought the origins of vitalism and to examine its effects on chiropractic today. Discussion: Vitalism arose out of human curiosity around the biggest questions: Where do we come from? What is life? For some, life was derived from an unknown and unknowable vital force. For others, a vital force was a placeholder, a piece of knowledge not yet grasped but attainable. Developments in science have demonstrated there is no longer a need to invoke vitalistic entities as either explanations or hypotheses for biological phenomena. Nevertheless, vitalism remains within chiropractic. In this examination of vitalism within chiropractic we explore the history of vitalism, vitalism within chiropractic and whether a vitalistic ideology is compatible with the legal and ethical requirements for registered health care professionals such as chiropractors. Conclusion: Vitalism has had many meanings throughout the centuries of recorded history. Though only vaguely defined by chiropractors, vitalism, as a representation of supernatural force and therefore an untestable hypothesis, sits at the heart of the divisions within chiropractic and acts as an impediment to chiropractic legitimacy, cultural authority and integration into mainstream health care

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 survey on education in German Medical Schools

In view of the new German curriculum regulations, inaugural teachings in the integrated course "History, Theory and Ethics of Medicine" were taking place during winter semester 2003/04. The survey examines the degree of implementation of this new integrated class at all German Medical Universities. It details questions about the organisation of the class, the importance of different course contents and the type of assessment and evaluation methods. Differences and difficulties in organising the courses are analysed. The results show a heterogeneous picture: the courses differ significantly regarding form, course contents, teaching methods and used resources. The establishment of new classes and teaching contents within the medical curriculum is discussed based on the results of this survey.Zum Wintersemester 2003/04 wurden im Rahmen der neuen Approbationsordnung erstmals Lehrveranstaltungen im Querschnittsbereich "Geschichte, Theorie, Ethik der Medizin" (GTE) angeboten. Die vorliegende Umfrage erhebt den Stand der Implementierung von GTE an allen deutschen Fakultäten. Sie umfasst Fragen zur Organisation des Kursangebotes, zur Gewichtung von Lehrinhalten, zur Art der Leistungskontrolle und Evaluation. Unterschiede und Schwierigkeiten bei der Umsetzung der Lehre werden analysiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen ein interuniversitär heterogenes Bild: Die Kurse unterscheiden sich deutlich hinsichtlich Form, Unterrichtsinhalten, Lehrmethoden und verwendeter Ressourcen. Die Etablierung neuer Fächer und Inhalte im Medizinstudium wird exemplarisch diskutiert