Traces of phylogeny and ecology in hippocampal neuron numbers.

It is not known how selective pressures shape the numbers of interconnected neurons in defined neural circuits during the phylogeny of mammals. Consequently, models of function are without phylogenetic bounds, and species differences in neuronal makeup cannot be linked to ecological factors that generate selective pressures. Based on data from 65 species belonging to 11 orders, we here provide an analysis of five interconnected neuron populations in the circuitry of the hippocampus, the forebrain region encoding episodic memories.

Haplotype-resolved genome and population genomics of the threatened garden dormouse in Europe.

Genomic resources are important for evaluating genetic diversity and supporting conservation efforts. The garden dormouse () is a small rodent that has experienced one of the most severe modern population declines in Europe. We present a high-quality haplotype-resolved reference genome for the garden dormouse, and combine comprehensive short and long-read transcriptomics data sets with homology-based methods to generate a highly complete gene annotation.

NECAB1-3, parvalbumin, calbindin, and calretinin in the hippocampus of the European mole.

Many calcium-binding proteins are expressed in a region-and cell-type specific manner in the mammalian hippocampus. Neuronal calcium-binding proteins (NECABs) are also expressed in hippocampal neurons, but few species have been investigated, with partly controversial findings. We here describe NECAB1, NECAB2 and NECAB3 as well as parvalbumin, calbindin, and calretinin in the European mole, and compare staining patterns of these proteins with those in mouse and other species.

Cell numbers in the reflected blade of CA3 and their relation to other hippocampal principal cell populations across seven species.

The hippocampus of many mammals contains a histoarchitectural region that is not present in laboratory mice and rats-the reflected blade of the CA3 pyramidal cell layer. Pyramidal cells of the reflected blade do not extend dendrites into the hippocampal molecular layer, and recent evidence indicates that they, like the proximal CA3 pyramids in laboratory rats and mice, partially integrate functionally with the dentate circuitry in pattern separation. Quantitative assessments of phylogenetic or disease-related changes in the hippocampal structure and function treat the reflected blade heterogeneously.

Composition Tuning of Nanostructured Binary Copper Selenides through Rapid Chemical Synthesis and their Thermoelectric Property Evaluation.

Reduced energy consumption and environmentally friendly, abundant constituents are gaining more attention for the synthesis of energy materials. A rapid, highly scalable, and process-temperature-sensitive solution synthesis route is demonstrated for the fabrication of thermoelectric CuSe. The process relies on readily available precursors and microwave-assisted thermolysis, which is sensitive to reaction conditions; yielding CuSe at 200 °C and CuSe at 250 °C within 6-8 min reaction time.