Molecular Xenomonitoring Using Mosquitoes to Map Lymphatic Filariasis after Mass Drug Administration in American Samoa

Background

Mass drug administration (MDA) programs have dramatically reduced lymphatic filariasis (LF) incidence in many areas around the globe, including American Samoa. As infection rates decline and MDA programs end, efficient and sensitive methods for detecting infections are needed to monitor for recrudescence. Molecular methods, collectively termed ‘molecular xenomonitoring,’ can identify parasite DNA or RNA in human blood-feeding mosquitoes. We tested mosquitoes trapped throughout the inhabited islands of American Samoa to identify areas of possible continuing LF transmission after completion of MDA.

Methodology/Principle Findings

Mosquitoes were collected using BG Sentinel traps from most of the villages on American Samoa''s largest island, Tutuila, and all major villages on the smaller islands of Aunu''u, Ofu, Olosega, and Ta''u. Real-time PCR was used to detect Wuchereria bancrofti DNA in pools of ≤20 mosquitoes, and PoolScreen software was used to infer territory-wide prevalences of W. bancrofti DNA in the mosquitoes. Wuchereria bancrofti DNA was found in mosquitoes from 16 out of the 27 village areas sampled on Tutuila and Aunu''u islands but none of the five villages on the Manu''a islands of Ofu, Olosega, and Ta''u. The overall 95% confidence interval estimate for W. bancrofti DNA prevalence in the LF vector Ae. polynesiensis was 0.20–0.39%, and parasite DNA was also detected in pools of Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti, and Aedes (Finlaya) spp.

Conclusions/Significance

Our results suggest low but widespread prevalence of LF on Tutuila and Aunu''u where 98% of the population resides, but not Ofu, Olosega, and Ta''u islands. Molecular xenomonitoring can help identify areas of possible LF transmission, but its use in the LF elimination program in American Samoa is limited by the need for more efficient mosquito collection methods and a better understanding of the relationship between prevalence of W. bancrofti DNA in mosquitoes and infection and transmission rates in humans.     

Applications and Challenges of Machine Learning Methods in Alzheimer's Disease Multi-Source Data Analysis

BackgroundRecent development in neuroimaging and genetic testing technologies have made it possible to measure pathological features associated with Alzheimer''s disease (AD) in vivo. Mining potential molecular markers of AD from high-dimensional, multi-modal neuroimaging and omics data will provide a new basis for early diagnosis and intervention in AD. In order to discover the real pathogenic mutation and even understand the pathogenic mechanism of AD, lots of machine learning methods have been designed and successfully applied to the analysis and processing of large-scale AD biomedical data.ObjectiveTo introduce and summarize the applications and challenges of machine learning methods in Alzheimer''s disease multi-source data analysis.MethodsThe literature selected in the review is obtained from Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science. The keywords of literature retrieval include Alzheimer''s disease, bioinformatics, image genetics, genome-wide association research, molecular interaction network, multi-omics data integration, and so on.ConclusionThis study comprehensively introduces machine learning-based processing techniques for AD neuroimaging data and then shows the progress of computational analysis methods in omics data, such as the genome, proteome, and so on. Subsequently, machine learning methods for AD imaging analysis are also summarized. Finally, we elaborate on the current emerging technology of multi-modal neuroimaging, multi-omics data joint analysis, and present some outstanding issues and future research directions.     

Nocardia vulneris sp. nov., isolated from wounds of human patients in North America

Nocardia species are ubiquitous in the environment with an increasing number of species isolated from clinical sources. From 2005 to 2009, eight isolates (W9042, W9247, W9290, W9319, W9846, W9851^T, W9865, and W9908) were obtained from eight patients from three states in the United States and Canada; all were from males ranging in age from 47 to 81 years old; and all were obtained from finger (n = 5) or leg (n = 3) wounds. Isolates were characterized by polyphasic analysis using molecular, phenotypic, morphologic and chemotaxonomic methods. Sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed the eight isolates are 100 % identical to each other and belong in the genus Nocardia. The nearest phylogenetically related neighbours were found to be the type strains for Nocardia altamirensis (99.33 % sequence similarity), Nocardia brasiliensis (99.37 %), Nocardia iowensis (98.95 %) and Nocardia tenerifensis (98.44 %). The G+C content of isolate W9851^T was determined to be 68.4 mol %. The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain W9851^T and the N. brasiliensis type strain was 72.8 % and 65.8 % when measured in the laboratory and in silico from genome sequences, respectively, and 95.6 % ANI. Whole-cell peptidoglycan was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid; MK-8-(H₄)_ω-cyc was identified as the major menaquinone; the major fatty acids were identified as C_16:0, 10 Me C_18:0, and C_{18:1 w9c}, the predominant phospholipids were found to include diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides; whole-cell sugars detected were arabinose and galactose; and mycolic acids ranging from 38 to 60 carbon atoms were found to be present. These chemotaxonomic analyses are consistent with assignment of the isolates to the genus Nocardia. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectra of the clinical isolates showed genus and species level profiles that were different from other Nocardia species. All isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin and imipenem but were susceptible to amikacin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, linezolid and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The results of our polyphasic analysis suggest the new isolates obtained from wound infections represent a novel species within the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardia vulneris sp. nov. is proposed, with strain W9851^T (= DSM 45737^T = CCUG 62683^T = NBRC 108936^T) as the type strain.     

Comparison of estimates and calculations of risk of coronary heart disease by doctors and nurses using different calculation tools in general practice: cross sectional study

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of using different risk calculation tools on how general practitioners and practice nurses evaluate the risk of coronary heart disease with clinical data routinely available in patients'' records.DesignSubjective estimates of the risk of coronary heart disease and results of four different methods of calculation of risk were compared with each other and a reference standard that had been calculated with the Framingham equation; calculations were based on a sample of patients'' records, randomly selected from groups at risk of coronary heart disease.SettingGeneral practices in central England.Participants18 general practitioners and 18 practice nurses.ResultsOnly a minority of patients'' records contained all of the risk factors required for the formal calculation of the risk of coronary heart disease (concentrations of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were present in only 21%). Agreement of risk calculations with the reference standard was moderate (κ=0.33-0.65 for practice nurses and 0.33 to 0.65 for general practitioners, depending on calculation tool), showing a trend for underestimation of risk. Moderate agreement was seen between the risks calculated by general practitioners and practice nurses for the same patients (κ=0.47 to 0.58). The British charts gave the most sensitive results for risk of coronary heart disease (practice nurses 79%, general practitioners 80%), and it also gave the most specific results for practice nurses (100%), whereas the Sheffield table was the most specific method for general practitioners (89%).ConclusionsRoutine calculation of the risk of coronary heart disease in primary care is hampered by poor availability of data on risk factors. General practitioners and practice nurses are able to evaluate the risk of coronary heart disease with only moderate accuracy. Data about risk factors need to be collected systematically, to allow the use of the most appropriate calculation tools.

What is already known on this topic

Recent guidelines have recommended determining the risk of coronary heart disease for targeting patients at high risk for primary preventionEstimates of risk have been shown to be inaccurateGeneral practitioners and practice nurses can use risk calculation tools accurately when given patient data in the form of scenarios

What this study adds

Many patients do not have adequate information in their records to allow the risk of coronary heart disease to be calculatedWhen data about risk factors were available, risk calculations made by general practitioners and practice nurses were moderately accurate compared to a reference calculationWhen adequate information about risk factors is not available, subjective estimates are a reasonable alternative to calculating risk     

Consumer demand for caesarean sections in Brazil: informed decision making,patient choice,or social inequality? A population based birth cohort study linking ethnographic and epidemiological methods

ObjectivesTo investigate why some women prefer caesarean sections and how decisions to medicalise birthing are influenced by patients, doctors, and the sociomedical environment.DesignPopulation based birth cohort study, using ethnographic and epidemiological methods.SettingEpidemiological study: women living in the urban area of Pelotas, Brazil who gave birth in hospital during the study. Ethnographic study: subsample of 80 women selected at random from the birth cohort. Nineteen medical staff were interviewed.Participants5304 women who gave birth in any of the city''s hospitals in 1993.ResultsIn both samples women from families with higher incomes and higher levels of education had caesarean sections more often than other women. Many lower to middle class women sought caesarean sections to avoid what they considered poor quality care and medical neglect, resulting from social prejudice. These women used medicalised prenatal and birthing health care to increase their chance of acquiring a caesarean section, particularly if they had social power in the home. Both social power and women''s behaviour towards seeking medicalised health care remained significantly associated with type of birth after controlling for family income and maternal education.ConclusionsFear of substandard care is behind many poor women''s preferences for a caesarean section. Variables pertaining to women''s role in the process of redefining and negotiating medical risks were much stronger correlates of caesarean section rates than income or education. The unequal distribution of medical technology has altered concepts of good and normal birthing. Arguments supporting interventionist birthing for all on the basis of equal access to health care must be reviewed.

What is already known on this topic

Women''s preferences for caesarean sections are understood to result from lack of knowledge and psychological aptitude to handle vaginal delivery and its consequencesEfforts to reduce the demand for caesarean sections have focused on providing consumers with correct information on the relative risks associated with vaginal and operative deliveries

What this study adds

In Brazil, many women prefer caesarean sections because they consider it good quality careRich women are more likely to have caesarean sections, supporting the notion that medical intervention represents superior carePoor women may implement a series of medicalised practices that justifies the need for greater medical intervention during birthInterventions for reducing caesarean sections by educating physicians and patients about risk factors associated with birthing procedures are not sufficient     

Gene polymorphism of 3'APO-VNTR in Egyptians with coronary artery disease

BackgroundCoronary artery diseases (CAD) are big health problem in both developed and developing countries. It is considered one of the main causes of death in the world. Dyslipidemia increases the risk of CAD incidences. It is aimed in this worktop study the impact of 3''APOBVNTRgene on CAD incidences.MethodsEighty CAD patients and ninety-three healthy volunteers are enrolled in this study. Lipid parameters were estimated in both groups and PCR technique has been performed to analyze 3''APOB-VNTR gene polymorphism.ResultsThe genotypes 31/31, 31/37, 37/37 and 31/44 are more predominant in both groups. The frequency of 24/31 in CAD patients is (0.137) while it is completely absent in the control group. Our results show that there is an increase in the frequency of various genotypes (e.g., 17/31 and 21/34 genotypes) in the control group compared to theca patients group.Conclusions3''APOB-VNTR gene could probably be considered a risk factor for CAD incidences and may help to early diagnose them.     

Quantitative historical change in bumblebee (Bombus spp.) assemblages of red clover fields

Background

Flower visiting insects provide a vitally important pollination service for many crops and wild plants. Recent decline of pollinating insects due to anthropogenic modification of habitats and climate, in particular from 1950''s onwards, is a major and widespread concern. However, few studies document the extent of declines in species diversity, and no studies have previously quantified local abundance declines. We here make a quantitative assessment of recent historical changes in bumblebee assemblages by comparing contemporary and historical survey data.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We take advantage of detailed, quantitative historical survey data from the 1930''s on bumblebee (Bombus spp.) abundances and species composition in red clover (Trifolium pratense) fields, an important floral resource and an attractant of all bumblebee species. We used the historical survey data as a pre-industrialization baseline, and repeated the same sampling protocol at nearly the same localities at present, hence setting up a historical experiment. We detected historical changes in abundances (bees/m²) of both workers (the “pollinatory units”) and queens (effective population size), in addition to species composition. In particular, long-tongued bumblebee species showed consistent and dramatic declines in species richness and abundances throughout the flowering season of red clover, while short-tongued species were largely unaffected. Of 12 Bombus species observed in the 1930''s, five species were not observed at present. The latter were all long-tongued, late-emerging species.

Conclusions/Significance

Because bumblebees are important pollinators, historical changes in local bumblebee assemblages are expected to severely affect plant reproduction, in particular long-tubed species, which are pollinated by long-tongued bumblebees.     

海南栽培肾茶的化学成分研究

为了解肾茶(Clerodendranthus spicatus)的化学成分,从海南栽培肾茶地上部分分离得到11个化合物,经波谱分析分别鉴定为:吐叶醇(1)、丁香脂素(2)、3,4-二羟基苯乙醇(3)、甜橙素(4)、5,6,7,4′-四甲氧基黄酮(5)、5-羟基-6,7,3′,4′-四甲氧基黄酮(6)、6-羟基-5,7,4′-三甲氧基黄酮(7)、5-羟基-6,7,3′,4′-四甲氧基黄烷酮(8)、3,3′,5-三羟基-4′,7-二甲氧基-二氢黄酮(9)、松脂素(10)和熊果酸(11)。化合物3、9和10为首次从肾茶中分离得到。对化合物1~6进行活性测试,结果表明化合物3~5对乙酰胆碱酯酶具有一定的抑制活性。     

基于专利信息分析的中国3D生物打印技术发展与产业化研究*

目的:基于专利信息对我国3D生物打印技术的发展态势进行分析。方法:本文基于incopat和TDA两大专利分析平台对中国3D生物打印的专利发展态势从专利统计分析与专利计量分析两个维度进行了跨库组合分析,总结了我国3D生物打印技术的专利前沿动态特征。结果:研究发现,中国3D生物打印技术从2013年起进入专利激增态势,中国作为潜在技术市场的国际竞争日趋激烈,本文还从专利申请人、技术领域分布、专利文本关键词聚类、专利价值、专利合作等方面进行了深度挖掘分析。结论:最后,结合对中国3D生物打印专利申请人的专利产业化案例深度分析与专利特征总结,为中国3D生物打印技术发展与产业化提供参考建议。     

Progress and Development in Biological Education

Software

Transpiration By J. M. Garland and U. Garland. Written for BBC Model B with colour monitor, cassette and disc versions. Produced by Garland Computing, 35 Dean Hill, Plymouth PL9 9AF. Price £10.00. Reviewd by W. G. Rogers

Seed germination By J. M. Garland. Written for BBC Model B with colour monitor. Cassette and disc versions. Produced by Garland Computing, 35 Dean Hill, Plymouth, Devon PL9 9AF. Price £10.00 Reviewd by W. G. Rogers.

Photosynthesis By J. M. Garland.Written for BBC Model B with colour monitor, cassette and disc versions. Produced by Garland Computing, 35 Dean Hill, Plymouth PL9 9AF. Price £10.00 Reviewed by W. G. Rogers.

Slides/Strides

Vertebrate reproduction Twenty-two.35 mm colour slides (including two title slides) with a study guide by David W. Macdonald. Ref. AV 218, price £16.80. Available from: Oxford Educational Resources Ltd, 197 Botley Road, Oxford 0X2 OHE Reviewed by Katrina Fuery

Reproduction in mammals Twenty-two.35 mm colour slides (with two title slides) with teaching notes by David W. Macdonald, produced in association with Oxford Scientific Films Ltd and J. Dellar of Wildlife Consultants Ltd. Ref. AV 220, price £16.80. Available from Oxford Educational Resources Ltd, 197 Botley Road, Oxford OX2 OHE Reviewed by Claire Carpenter

Mitosis and meiosis Two sets of 12 slides, each accompanied by a booklet containing background information and questions with answers. By Dr Judith Kinnear and Dr Marjory Martin. Refs M39825/8, M39820/9, price £9.95 each. Available from Philip Harris Biological Ltd, Oldmixon, Weston-super-Mare, Avon BS24 9BJ Cathy Maclean Marjorie Tindal

Farm animal breeds Set of 24, colour, plastic-mounted slides supplied in a wallet with teaching notes by Dr Alan Beaumont. Available from Audio-Visual Productions Ltd, Hocker Hill House, Chepstow, Gwent NP6 5ER Ref. 977. Price £8.90 Adam Cade

Basic techniques of plant tissue culture Twenty-six 35 mm colour slides in a plastic wallet with teaching notes. Ref M25080/2, price £16.25. Also available as a filmstrip, ref. M25084/9, price £11.00. Obtainable from Philip Harris Biological Ltd, Oldmixon, Westonsuper-Mare, Avon BS24 9BJ V. E. Stein

Focus on bats Forty 35 mm plastic mounted colour slides and a 20 minute cassette soundtrack narrated by Dr R. Stebbings. Ref. A VP 080. Price £11 (or filmstrip £7) and tape £4 (inclusive of VAT and postage). Available from International Centre for Conservation Education, Greenfield House, Gutting Power, Cheltenham, Glos GL54 5TZ Kevin Walsh

Introducing British reptiles Forty 35 mm colour slides, commentary booklet, and a leaflet on ‘Being kind to snakes‘ are supplied in a handy plastic wallet. Ref. AVP 075. Price £10.06 (includes VAT and postage). The commentary is also available on cassette. Also available as a film strip, price £5.00. Available from International Centre for Conservation Education, Greenfield House, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, Glos GL54 5TZ Iain Armstrong

Introducing British amphibia Forty 35 mm colour slides, commentary booklet and a leaftlet on ‘Garden ponds as amphibian sanctuaries’. Ref AVP 074. Price £10.06 (includes VA T and postage). Also available as a film strip, price £5.00. An audio-cassette of the commentary will soon be available price £3.80. From International Centre for Conservation Education, Greenfield House, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, Glos GL54 5TZ Alison Muspratt

Videotapes

Investigating the nervous system A 20-minute video-cassette, ref. 84/031/ I, price £29.50. Also available as a 16 mm film price £395. Produced by Educational Media Australia, in association with the Australian Academy of Science, Schools Biology Project. Available from Educational Media International, 25 Boileau Road, London W5 3AL Jane O'Leary

Reproduction in organisms A 16-minute video-cassette released in 1981, ref. 84J062JR, price £29.50. Also available as a 16 mm film price £205, ref. EM A AUS UP-S. Produced by Educational Media Australia. Available from Educational Media International, 25 Boileau Road, London W5 3AL Carol Burton Jenny Johnson

Eat your heart out A videotape in two parts, lasting about an hour produced by Scope Films Ltd, and available from Concorde Films Council Ltd, 201 Felixstowe Road, Ipswich IP3 9BJ. Price: hire £10; sale £60 C. Thorpe P. Burdett

Tapes

Biorhythms: 1. Human biology; 2. General biology Each consists of a cassette tape and a 65+ page booklet. Words by Harold Baum, music by Peter Shade, sung by the ‘Metabolites’. Published by Learn Through Music Ltd. Distributed by: (UK) Taylor and Francis Ltd, 4 John Street, London WC1N 2ET; (USA) Taylor and Francis Inc., 242 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-1906. Each part £8.95 (1984). ISBNs 0 85066 291 5 and 0 85066 292 3 John A. Barker     

Germinazione E Accrescimento Dell'Abete Bianco (Abies Alba Mill.) In Diverse Condizioni Termiche E Fotoperiodiche

Abstract

Germination and growth of ABIES ALBA mill. in different light and temperature conditions. — The results of a research on white fir from different localities are summarized as follows:

a) Germination of seeds from three italian localities (Tuscany, lat. 43°, 44'; Abruzzo, lat. 41°, 52'; Calabria, lat. 38°, 33') has been tested in several ecological conditions (temperature, light and chilling); it has been found that 22 °C, 8 hrs. of light and a 3 weeks prechilling at 5 °C, are stimulating conditions for all the seeds. The Cala-brian seeds seem the most reactive.

b) Growth in different photoperiodic conditions has been tested on seedlings from the Appennine, from France (lat. 49°, 10') and Poland (lat. 49°, 39'). Growth is evidently stimulated by long-day conditions in all the seeds experimented and growth acceleration touches its maximum in the Calabrian seedlings, provided they germinated at 12°C in the ligth.

It has been concluded that Calabrian Abies behaves as a Biotype, evidently distinguished from all the others, and an ecological explanation of this behaviour has been attemped.     

RNA结合蛋白QKI-5对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7增殖的影响研究

目的:检测RNA结合蛋白QKI-5在乳腺癌细胞中的表达水平以及对癌细胞增殖能力的抑制作用。方法:通过免疫印迹实验检测QKI-5在不同乳腺癌细胞株中的表达水平,通过慢病毒感染构建能够稳定过表达QKI-5基因的细胞株,使用MTT,流式细胞仪检测细胞周期来观察过表达QKI-5对细胞增殖能力及周期的影响。结果:MCF-7细胞在三株乳腺癌细胞中QKI-5表达水平相对最低,MTT实验结果显示与对照相比,过表达QKI-5的MCF-7细胞增殖能力出现显著降低P0.05,同时细胞周期检测显示过表达QKI-5的MCF-7细胞组出现了明显的G1期阻滞,进入S期G2/M期细胞减少。结论:在乳腺癌中QKI-5的高表达可能通过抑制癌细胞周期致使细胞增殖变缓,从而导致肿瘤生长受限。     

A new caryosporan (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from flat-headed snake,Tantilla gracilis (Reptilia: Ophidia: Colubridae), from McCurtain County,Oklahoma, USA

The flat-headed snake, Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard is a small reptile belonging to the family Colubridae. Feces from a single T. gracilis from McCurtain County, Oklahoma, USA, was collected and examined for coccidia; it was found to be passing a new species of Caryospora. Oöcysts of Caryospora sargentae n. sp. are spheroidal to typically subspheroidal with a moderately-pitted bi-layered wall, measure (L × W) 20.7 × 19.2 µm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.1; a micropyle and oöcyst residuum were absent but one to several small, irregular to spheroidal masses of non-refractile debris within the oocyst was present as well as a polar granule attached to the inner oöcyst wall. Sporocysts are ovoidal and measure 15.0 × 11.0 µm, L/W 1.4; a nipple-like Stieda body is present as well as a distinct rounded sub-Stieda body. The sporocyst residuum is composed of a large, dense, irregular mass of various sized granules located between and often obscuring the sporozoites. This is the third coccidian described from the flat-headed snake. In addition, we include some data on the endogenous development of the coccidian.

     

Comparative Ecology of Protozoa: A Laboratory Exercise for Undergraduates

slides/stips The colonisation of a shingle beach Set of 24, colour, plastic-mounted slides supplied in a wallet with teaching notes, by A. J. Cooper. Available from Audio Visual Productions Ltd, Hocker Hill House, Chepstow, Gwent NP6 5ER. Price £8.40, ref. 35 850; Peter Benson

slides/stips Evolution and behaviour Five sets of 35 mm colour slides with study notes. Three sets are reviewed here:

• Adaptations to predation AV221 (50 slides)

• Adaptive colouration AV222 (50 slides)

• How animals eat AV223 (44 slides)

Soon available in this series will be Animal societies and Insect societies. They are produced by David W. Macdonald in association with Oxford Scientific Films and are available from Oxford Educational Resources Ltd, 197 Botley Road, Oxford 0X2 OHE. Price £15 per set; Katie Bowbrick and Anne Roberts

slides/stips Hedges—past and presentSet of 24 mounted colour slides packaged as a three-page booklet by John Feltwell. Available from Audio Visual Productions Ltd, Hocker Hill House, Chepstow, Gwent NP6 5ER. Price £8.40, ref. 35 832.; Patricia A. Horton

slides/stips Experiments in biology A 50-frame 35 mm colour filmstrip supplied with cardboard slide mounts and teachers' notes, by J. Cremona. Available from Focal Point Audio Visual Ltd, 251 Copnor Road, Portsmouth, Hants, P03 SEE. Price £7.75, ref. 181.; Anita de Brouwer and Dean Madden

Tape/Slide Respiration: energy for life Two sets of 80 mounted slides, two prerecorded cassette tapes (one side with an inaudible signal and the other with an audible signal). Available from Edward Patterson Associates, Treetops, Cannongate Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 5PT, price £68; or from Science and Mankind Inc., Communications Park, Box 2000, Mount Kisco, NY 10549, USA, price $169.50 (with carousels) reference 1-1045-2850, or as a filmstrip $1149.50 reference 2-3045-2850.; Teresa Carberry, Kevin Want and Joy Wilson

Tape/Slide Extinction and endangered species: Natural process or human intervention A tape/slide presentation in four parts. 160 slides in total. Each part has a tape cassette with audible advance cues on one side and a 1000 Hz automatic signal on the other. Available from Edward Patterson Associates, Treelops, Cannongate Road, Hythe, Kent, CT21 5PT, price £68; or from Science and Mankind Inc., Communications Park, Box 2000, Mount Kisco, New York 10549, USA, price $169.50. In the USA the slides are prepacked in two carousels and are also available as a filmstrip $149.50. A comprehensive teacher's guide is provided.; Jill Beagley, Caroline Gould, Jonathan Gravesm and Sally Anne Wedderburn

Films The endocrine system Systems working together Two of a series of 10 16 mm colour sound films also available as videocassettes ranging in length from 11 to 22 minutes. Available from Viewtech Audio Visual Media, 122 Goldcrest Road, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS17 SXN. Price: Videocassettes: VHS £40.00, VCR £45.00, Betamax £40.00, V-matic £45.00; film hire: Endocrine System £10.50, Systems working together £9.80

Films The endocrine system

Films Systems working together; Sue Allan

Films Fungi and Man 16 mm colour film with teacher's notes by David Boulton. Running time: 17.5 minutes. UK, 1983. Available from Boulton-Hawker Films Ltd, Hadleigh, Ipswich, Suffolk IP7 5BG. Price: £201. Hire charge £7.50. Also available as videocassette: VHSjBetamax £23, Philips £29, U-Matic £35; S. M. Allan

Films Plants make food (2nd edition) A 16 mm colour film. Running time: 13 minutes. Produced by Churchill Films, Los Angeles, USA, and distributed by Boulton-Hawker Films Ltd, Hadleigh, Ipswich, Suffolk IP7 5BG. Price £146. Hire charge £7.50.; S. M. Allan

Videotapes The masterbuilders Videocassette. Running time 45 minutes. Release date June 1983. Produced by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL. Price £28.18, also for hire as videocassette or film; Sue Allan

Videotapes The Gibbs Kids investigate dentists Videotape available in VHS and Beta formats. Running time 15.5 minutes. Date of production 1982. Available from Gibbs Oral Hygiene Service, Hesketh House, Portman Square, London W1A 1DY. Price £7.00; Jane Seddon, Claire Thomas and Jane Powell

Tapes Science in Society Audio Unit 6: Science, technology and people Two audio cassettes, comprising a total of four, 15-minute programmes, supplied in a box with a set of Teacher's notes. Available from Science in Society Audio Ltd, 218 Sussex Gardens, London W2 3UD. Price £9.90.; Emma Wynne

Charts Fens D2.7 Towns and cities D2.8 Charts, in colour, size 70 cm by 30 cm. Available from Interpretative Branch, Nature Conservancy Council, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 4TW. Price £0.75 each.; John A. Barker

Charts Countryside charts: Birds By David Elcome. A set of 20 full-colour charts, size 495 mm by 370 mm. Published by Macmillan Children's Books, Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hants RG21 2XS. Price £11.95 plus VAT. ISBN 0 333 33121 4.; John A. Barker

Muliti-media Cartoon sheet discussion starters Produced by the Centre for World Development Education. Available from CtVDE, 128 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SH. Price 20p each with discounts for bulk orders plus 20 per cent p and p.; Balwinder Ghatabora

Software Human Blood Groups By D. and V. Garland. Written for BBC Model B, with colour monitor cassette and disc versions produced by Garland Computing, 35 Dean Hill, Plymouth, Devon PL9 9AF. £15.00.; Sophie McCormick

Software Microdiet Produced by the Advisory Unit for Computer Based Education, Hatfield. Program notes written by Dodie Hodgkinson. Available on disk or cassette for RML380Z. £25 + VAT.

Software Diet analysis Jeanette Bowen and Bob Waters for Computers in the Curriculum Project and MEP. Available on disk and cassette for RML380Z, 480Z, BBC B, and PET; on disk only for Apple. £14.50+VAT. Both from Longman Micro Software, Longman Group Ltd, 33-35 Tanner Row, York YOl 1JP.; Tessa Carrick

Software Flowering in soya bean Tom Bridson and Alison Rose for Computers in the Curriculum Project and MEP. Available on disk and cassette for RML380Z, 480Z, BBC B, and PET; on disk only for Apple. £14.50+VAT. From Longman Micro Software, Longman Group Ltd, 33-35 Tanner Row, York YOl UP.; Tessa Carrick     

人工诱导海南龙血竭的化学成分研究

为了解人工诱导海南龙血树(Dracaena cambodiana)所产血竭的化学成分,从其乙醇提取物中分离得到10个化合物,经波谱分析分别鉴定为socotrin-4?-ol(1)、homoisosocotrin-4?-ol(2)、(E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-7-hydroxy-chroman-4-one(3)、5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(4?-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone (4)、3-去氧苏木查耳酮(5)、苏木查耳酮(6)、7,4?-二羟基黄酮(7)、7,4?-二羟基-8-甲基黄酮(8)、丁香树脂醇(9)和邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯(10)。化合物1～10均为首次从人工诱导海南龙血树所产血竭中分离得到,其中化合物8为新天然产物,化合物3～6为首次从血竭中分离得到。化合物7和8对耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌具有生长抑制作用。     

Mobridge Site Cemeteries: Controversy Concerning The Location Of The Over And Stirling Burials

Abstract

During the 1920's, W.H. Over and M.W. Stirling excavated skeletal material from cemeteries at the Mobridge site. Their records are not clear as to the exact location of burial recovery. Mobridge has at least three distinct burial areas (Features 1, 2, and 3), and there are craniometric and temporal differences among them. A comparison of crania from Features 1, 2, and 3 with the Over and Stirling samples gives some insight as to the location of their burials. Burials excavated by Over classify primarily with Feature 2, indicating this to be their point of origin. A few burials from Feature 1 also appear to be represented. Stirling's sample groups with areas 1 and 3. His sample possibly originated there, although it seems more likely that they came from a location north of the village which dates to the same time period as Features 1 and 3 and represents the same population.     

Midlife vascular risk factors and Alzheimer's disease in later life: longitudinal,population based study

Objective To examine the relation of midlife raised blood pressure and serum cholesterol concentrations to Alzheimer''s disease in later life.Design Prospective, population based study.SettingPopulations of Kuopio and Joensuu, eastern Finland.ParticipantsParticipants were derived from random, population based samples previously studied in a survey carried out in 1972, 1977, 1982, or 1987. After an average of 21 years'' follow up, a total of 1449 (73%) participants aged 65-79 took part in the re-examination in 1998.Results People with raised systolic blood pressure (⩾160 mm Hg) or high serum cholesterol concentration (⩾6.5 mmol/l) in midlife had a significantly higher risk of Alzheimer''s disease in later life, even after adjustment for age, body mass index, education, vascular events, smoking status, and alcohol consumption, than those with normal systolic blood pressure (odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.0 to 5.5) or serum cholesterol (odds ratio 2.1, 1.0 to 4.4). Participants with both of these risk factors in midlife had a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer''s disease than those with either of the risk factors alone (odds ratio 3.5, 1.6 to 7.9). Diastolic blood pressure in midlife had no significant effect on the risk of Alzheimer''s disease.Conclusion Raised systolic blood pressure and high serum cholesterol concentration, and in particular the combination of these risks, in midlife increase the risk of Alzheimer''s disease in later life.

What is already known on this topic

Vascular risk factors may play an important part as risk factors for Alzheimer''s diseaseNo population based studies have evaluated prospectively the impact of both midlife blood pressure and cholesterol concentration in both men and women on the subsequent development of Alzheimer''s disease

What this study adds

Raised systolic blood pressure and high serum cholesterol concentration, and in particular the combination of these risks, in midlife increased the risk of Alzheimer''s disease in later lifeRaised systolic blood pressure and hypercholesterolaemia may have a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer''s disease; more emphasis should be placed on identification and appropriate treatment of these conditions