Single-neuron dynamics in human focal epilepsy

Epileptic seizures are traditionally characterized as the ultimate expression of monolithic, hypersynchronous neuronal activity arising from unbalanced runaway excitation. Here we report the first examination of spike train patterns in large ensembles of single neurons during seizures in persons with epilepsy. Contrary to the traditional view, neuronal spiking activity during seizure initiation and spread was highly heterogeneous, not hypersynchronous, suggesting complex interactions among different neuronal groups even at the spatial scale of small cortical patches. In contrast to earlier stages, seizure termination is a nearly homogenous phenomenon followed by an almost complete cessation of spiking across recorded neuronal ensembles. Notably, even neurons outside the region of seizure onset showed significant changes in activity minutes before the seizure. These findings suggest a revision of current thinking about seizure mechanisms and point to the possibility of seizure prevention based on spiking activity in neocortical neurons

The 2024 Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa

With the simultaneous growth in interest from the mycological community to discover fungal species and classify them, there is also an important need to assemble all taxonomic information onto common platforms. Fungal classification is facing a rapidly evolving landscape and organizing genera into an appropriate taxonomic hierarchy is central to better structure a unified classification scheme and avoid incorrect taxonomic inferences. With this in mind, the Outlines of Fungi and fungus-like taxa (2020, 2022) were published as an open-source taxonomic scheme to assist mycologists to better understand the taxonomic position of species within the Fungal Kingdom as well as to improve the accuracy and consistency of our taxonomic language. In this paper, the third contribution to the series of Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa prepared by the Global Consortium for the Classification of Fungi and fungus-like taxa is published. The former is updated considering our previous reviews and the taxonomic changes based on recent taxonomic work. In addition, it is more comprehensive and derives more input and consensus from a larger number of mycologists worldwide. Apart from listing the position of a particular genus in a taxonomic level, nearly 1000 notes are provided for newly established genera and higher taxa introduced since 2022. The notes section emphasizes on recent findings with corresponding references, discusses background information to support the current taxonomic status and some controversial taxonomic issues are also highlighted. To elicit maximum taxonomic information, notes/taxa are linked to recognized databases such as Index Fungorum, Faces of Fungi, MycoBank and GenBank, Species Fungorum and others. A new feature includes links to Fungalpedia, offering notes in the Compendium of Fungi and fungus-like Organisms. When specific notes are not provided, links are available to webpages and relevant publications for genera or higher taxa to ease data accessibility. Following the recent synonymization of Caulochytriomycota under Chytridiomycota, with Caulochytriomycetes now classified as a class within the latter, based on formally described and currently accepted data, the Fungi comprises 19 Phyla, 83 classes, 1,220 families, 10,685 genera and ca 140,000 species. Of the genera, 39.5% are monotypic and this begs the question whether mycologists split genera unnecessarily or are we going to find other species in these genera as more parts of the world are surveyed? They are 433 speciose genera with more than 50 species. The document also highlights discussion of some important topics including number of genera categorized as incertae sedis status in higher level fungal classification. The number of species at the higher taxonomic level has always been a contentious issue especially when mycologists consider either a lumping or a splitting approach and herein we provide figures. Herein a summary of updates in the outline of Basidiomycota is provided with discussion on whether there are too many genera of Boletales, Ceratobasidiaceae, and speciose genera such as Colletotrichum. Specific case studies deal with Cortinarius, early diverging fungi, Glomeromycota, a diverse early divergent lineage of symbiotic fungi, Eurotiomycetes, marine fungi, Myxomycetes, Phyllosticta, Hymenochaetaceae and Polyporaceae and the longstanding practice of misapplying intercontinental conspecificity. The outline will aid to better stabilize fungal taxonomy and serves as a necessary tool for mycologists and other scientists interested in the classification of the Fungi

Detecting declines of West African Goliath beetle populations based on interviews

Goliath beetles (genus Goliathus) are among the largest and most charismatic insects in the world. In West African forests, two species (G. cacicus and G. regius) and natural hybrids are found. These beetles are widely collected for the entomological trade. We carried out standardized interview campaigns in Liberia and Ivory Coast to explore local persons’ perceptions of the status and population trends of these beetles, as well as information on their ecology and use by humans. Only relatively few interviewed communities reported the presence of beetles, all agreed that Goliath beetle populations were declining, especially G. cacicus. On the other hand, G. regius was generally considered less rare by the interviewees and was also known in a larger number of communities than G. cacicus. Because of the high deforestation rates in Liberia and Ivory Coast, as well as the impact of the international trade at specific collection localities, we suggest that these species are in peril of extinction if no immediate conservation actions are taken to reverse their status. Implications for conservation. Since our study detected a likely dramatic decline of G. cacicus and, to a lesser extent, also of G. regius, we suggest that: (i) their IUCN Red List status should be assessed as soon as possible, (ii) their current distribution should be studied more properly in the field given that many collection specimens are old and with incomplete labeling details, and (iii) their international market should be regulated as soon as possible by appropriate legislation

Is Neuronal Death Necessary for Acquired Epileptogenesis in the Immature Brain?

A central question concerning acquired epileptogenesis in the immature brain is whether neuronal death is required for the development of epilepsy after a brain insult. Results from three different animal models of brain injury during early development have been used to develop the hypothesis that status epilepticus, prolonged febrile seizures, or hypoxia-induced seizures can lead to chronic epilepsy without the occurrence of neuronal death. This brief review will summarize the evidence supporting the hypothesis in each model and then critique the data and published interpretations. A case will be made that the evidence to date neither rules out the occurrence of neuronal death nor demonstrates that epileptogenesis (i.e., spontaneous recurrent seizures) has actually occurred in these animal models of acquired pediatric epilepsy. We also review evidence for the opposing hypothesis: acquired epileptogenesis in the immature brain requires, or at least often involves, neuronal death

Population Size, Sex-Ratio and Age Structure of Hippopotamus amphibius in Nimule National Park, South Sudan

Hippopotamus is widely declining in several African countries, whereas its status and population size are still unknown in other countries, including South Sudan. We provide insights into population estimates, sex ratios, and age structures of the hippopotamus within Nimule National Park, South Sudan. Ground surveys and indirect counts were carried out for six days in 2020. Two line transects were walked, each of four km in length, using binoculars to identify their sex and age. We applied the Out-Bound Approach method to estimate the hippopotamus population size. A total of 190 individuals were estimated, but the confidence interval (Standard Error) of this estimate was too high to make this value satisfactorily accurate. An average population density of 0.463 individuals/km2 was estimated. Notably, the adult sex ratio was significantly skewed towards females (1:1.5), calves comprised about 23% of the total number (n = 510). Four earlier unpublished studies (1983-2014) were compared with the data from this study. The results of this comparison showed a moderate increase in the hippopotamus population over the past 37 years, although with considerable fluctuations from survey to survey. Overall, Nimule National Park seems to house a stable hippopotamus population, that can be important for the conservation management planning for this species along the White Nile River course