Genic microsatellite markers derived from EST sequences of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)

Switchgrass is a large, North American, perennial grass that is being evaluated as a potential energy crop. There is a need to assess genetic diversity in stored accessions and in remaining native stands to assist breeding and conservation efforts. Marker development will also be necessary for genetic linkage mapping. Toward this end, 32 switchgrass genic di‐, tri‐ and tetranucleotide repeat microsatellites were identified from expressed sequence tags (ESTs). These microsatellites were used to screen individuals from two different named cultivars. The markers displayed a high level of polymorphism consistent with the tetraploid, allogamous behaviour of the cultivars tested.     

Physical illness in patients with severe mental disorders. II. Barriers to care, monitoring and treatment guidelines, plus recommendations at the system and individual level

Physical disorders are, compared to the general population, more prevalent in people with severe mental illness (SMI). Although this excess morbidity and mortality is largely due to modifiable lifestyle risk factors, the screening and assessment of physical health aspects remains poor, even in developed countries. Moreover, specific patient, provider, treatment and system factors act as barriers to the recognition and to the management of physical diseases in people with SMI. Psychiatrists can play a pivotal role in the improvement of the physical health of these patients by expanding their task from clinical psychiatric care to the monitoring and treatment of crucial physical parameters. At a system level, actions are not easy to realize, especially for developing countries. However, at an individual level, even simple and very basic monitoring and treatment actions, undertaken by the treating clinician, can already improve the problem of suboptimal medical care in this population. Adhering to monitoring and treatment guidelines will result in a substantial enhancement of physical health outcomes. Furthermore, psychiatrists can help educate and motivate people with SMI to address their suboptimal lifestyle, including smoking, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. The adoption of the recommendations presented in this paper across health care systems throughout the world will contribute to a significant improvement in the medical and related psychiatric health outcomes of patients with SMI.     

两种草蛉对取食棉花的扶桑绵粉蚧的嗅觉反应（英文）

捕食性的普通草蛉Chrysoperla sp.（carnea group） 和安平草蛉Mallada desjardinsi（Navas）（脉翅目:草蛉科）的寄主-生境定位取决于其觅食行为以及对各阶段释放的植物气味的行为反应.本研究调查了这两种交配的草蛉成虫以及取食棉花的扶桑绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis的反应,以便了解它们之间的三重营养关系.结果表明：草蛉雄虫和雌虫均能感受到棉花植株释放的绿叶挥发物;植株的各个阶段均可使捕食性昆虫和绵粉蚧定位.在受绵粉蚧为害的棉叶上饱和烃含量高,说明草蛉成虫的反应更为强烈;在植株受为害期和开花期释放捕食性昆虫,可提高田间捕食性昆虫的作用.这些结果提示有效的生物防治取决于捕食性昆虫在植株上的天然定殖能力以及对害虫的吞食能力.     

Temperature control of male embryo viability of the aphid Megoura viciae

Summary

Early stages of gametogenesis were observed in embryos of Megoura viciae Buckton at two temperatures, 24°C and 27°C. The higher temperature is lethal for male embryos but not for female embryos. Spermatogenesis proceeds to the synizesis contraction stage at both temperatures but goes no further at 27°C. All the spermatocytes degenerate prior to undergoing metaphase I and gamete degeneration is followed by the death of the male embryos. In oogenesis, synizesis lasts for much longer and no differential viability at the two temperatures can be observed. A possible explanation, related to the different timing of meiosis in the two sexes, is proposed and discussed.     

Metabolic Roles of the M3 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Studied with M3 Receptor Mutant Mice: A Review

The M₃ muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor (M₃ mAChR) is expressed in many central and peripheral tissues. It is a prototypic member of the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors and preferentially activates G proteins of the G_q family. Recent studies involving the use of newly generated mAChR mutant mice have revealed that the M₃ mAChR plays a key role in regulating many important metabolic functions. Phenotypic analyses of mutant mice that either selectively lacked or overexpressed M₃ receptors in pancreatic β -cells indicated that β -cell M₃ mAChRs are essential for maintaining proper insulin release and glucose homeostasis. The experimental data also suggested that strategies aimed at enhancing signaling through β -cell M₃ mAChRs might be beneficial for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Recent studies with whole body M₃ mAChR knockout mice showed that the absence of M₃ receptors protected mice against various forms of experimentally or genetically induced obesity and obesity-associated metabolic deficits. Under all experimental conditions tested, M₃ receptor-deficient mice showed greatly ameliorated impairments in glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, reduced food intake, and a significant elevation in basal and total energy expenditure, most likely due to increased central sympathetic outflow and increased rate of fatty acid oxidation. These findings are of potential interest for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of obesity and associated metabolic disorders.