A new member of the Anopheles quadrimaculatus complex, species C

A new member, species C, of the Anopheles quadrimaculatus complex was recently found in collections from the northwest coast of Florida. This new species cannot be differentiated from the other 2 species with available taxonomic keys. Evidence for this taxon as a sibling species includes data on hybrid sterility and distorted sex ratios in the progeny of crosses to species A and B, chromosomal differences, and diagnostic allozymes.     

Adenosine and its analogs stimulate phosphoinositide hydrolysis in the kidney

Renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate and sodium excretion are known to be affected by adenosine. The present studies were undertaken to investigate the actions of adenosine and its analogs (both agonists and antagonists) on phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis in the outer medullary slices. Adenosine was found to cause a dose-dependent stimulation of PI hydrolysis (ED50, 2.8 microM) in renal slices from outer medulla. The adenosine analogs 5'-(N-cyclopropyl)-carboxamidoadenosine (NCCA) and 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) also stimulated PI hydrolysis in renal medulla. Stimulation of PI hydrolysis was blocked by the adenosine antagonists: aminophylline, 1,3-dipropyl-7-methylxanthine (DMX) and 8-(p-sulfophenyl)-theophylline (8-SPT). Caffeine not only antagonized adenosine-stimulated PI hydrolysis but also increased PI hydrolysis independently. These results indicate that adenosine stimulates PI hydrolysis in renal medulla through a receptor-mediated mechanism.     

Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents: obstacles to early diagnosis and future directions

Aim: This article reviews research centred around juvenile bipolar disorder with particular reference to diagnostic difficulties. Putative deficits are scrutinized with respect to trait likelihood and the roles of neuropsychology and neuroimaging in enhancing our understanding of juvenile bipolar disorder are discussed. Methods: Search terms including childhood, adolescent, youth and juvenile combined with the terms ‘bipolar disorder’, mania, depression and hypomania were used to identify relevant studies in MEDLINE and PsychLit. Results: Over recent years research into this relatively new disorder has increased phenomenally. Key issues within the field include diagnostic specificity, the heritability of the disorder, the impact of comorbidity and the implications of neuropsychological and neuroimaging findings. Conclusion: Despite concerning controversies in literature the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents as compared with adults, promising future research directions include better neurological characterization of the disorder through the application of findings from clinical populations, neuropsychological and neuroimaging research.