@article{RoesslerSpaetheGroh2017,
  author    = {R{\"o}ssler, Wolfgang and Spaethe, Johannes and Groh, Claudia},
  title     = {Pitfalls of using confocal-microscopy based automated quantification of synaptic complexes in honeybee mushroom bodies (response to Peng and Yang 2016)},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {7},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {9786},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41598-017-09967-8},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-170451},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {A recent study by Peng and Yang in Scientific Reports using confocal-microscopy based automated quantification of anti-synapsin labeled microglomeruli in the mushroom bodies of honeybee brains reports potentially incorrect numbers of microglomerular densities. Whereas several previous studies using visually supervised or automated counts from confocal images and analyses of serial 3D electron-microscopy data reported consistent numbers of synaptic complexes per volume, Peng and Yang revealed extremely low numbers differing by a factor of 18 or more from those obtained in visually supervised counts, and by a factor 22-180 from numbers in two other studies using automated counts. This extreme discrepancy is especially disturbing as close comparison of raw confocal images of anti-synapsin labeled whole-mount brain preparations are highly similar across these studies. We conclude that these discrepancies may reside in potential misapplication of confocal imaging followed by erroneous use of automated image analysis software. Consequently, the reported microglomerular densities during maturation and after manipulation by insecticides require validation by application of appropriate confocal imaging methods and analyses tools that rely on skilled observers. We suggest several improvements towards more reliable or standardized automated or semi-automated synapse counts in whole mount preparations of insect brains.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HabensteinSchmittLiessemetal.2021,
  author    = {Habenstein, Jens and Schmitt, Franziska and Liessem, Sander and Ly, Alice and Trede, Dennis and Wegener, Christian and Predel, Reinhard and R{\"o}ssler, Wolfgang and Neupert, Susanne},
  title     = {Transcriptomic, peptidomic, and mass spectrometry imaging analysis of the brain in the ant Cataglyphis nodus},
  series = {Journal of Neurochemistry},
  volume    = {158},
  journal   = {Journal of Neurochemistry},
  number    = {2},
  doi       = {10.1111/jnc.15346},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-239917},
  pages     = {391 -- 412},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Behavioral flexibility is an important cornerstone for the ecological success of animals. Social Cataglyphis nodus ants with their age-related polyethism characterized by age-related behavioral phenotypes represent a prime example for behavioral flexibility. We propose neuropeptides as powerful candidates for the flexible modulation of age-related behavioral transitions in individual ants. As the neuropeptidome of C. nodus was unknown, we collected a comprehensive peptidomic data set obtained by transcriptome analysis of the ants' central nervous system combined with brain extract analysis by Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (MS) and direct tissue profiling of different regions of the brain by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS. In total, we identified 71 peptides with likely bioactive function, encoded on 49 neuropeptide-, neuropeptide-like, and protein hormone prepropeptide genes, including a novel neuropeptide-like gene (fliktin). We next characterized the spatial distribution of a subset of peptides encoded on 16 precursor proteins with high resolution by MALDI MS imaging (MALDI MSI) on 14 µm brain sections. The accuracy of our MSI data were confirmed by matching the immunostaining patterns for tachykinins with MSI ion images from consecutive brain sections. Our data provide a solid framework for future research into spatially resolved qualitative and quantitative peptidomic changes associated with stage-specific behavioral transitions and the functional role of neuropeptides in Cataglyphis ants.},
  language  = {en}
}