Genetic structure,lack of sex-biased dispersal and behavioral flexibility in the pair-living fat-tailed dwarf lemur, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cheirogaleus medius</Emphasis>

Mating system and dispersal patterns influence the spatio-genetic structure within and between populations. Among mammals, monogamy is rare, and its socio-genetic consequences have not been studied in detail before. The goal of our study was to investigate population history, demographic structure, and dispersal patterns in a population of pair-living fat-tailed dwarf lemurs, Cheirogaleus medius, a small, nocturnal primate from western Madagascar, and to infer their underlying behavioral mechanisms. Tissue samples for DNA extraction were obtained from a total of 140 individuals that were captured in two subpopulations about 3 km apart. Analyses of mtDNA variability at the population level revealed very low levels of genetic variability combined with high haplotype diversity, which is indicative of a recent population bottleneck. We found no evidence for spatial clustering of same-sexed individuals with identical haplotypes within each of two subpopulations but significant clustering between them. Thus, a high level of local subpopulation differentiation was observed (F _ST = 0.230). The sexes showed equal variances in the number of individuals representing each haplotype, as well as equal levels of aggregation of identical haplotypes. Hence, both sexes disperse from their natal area, one pattern expected in a pair-living mammal. There is a possibility of behavioral and social flexibility in this species, however, because we documented pronounced differences in density and sex ratio between the two subpopulations, suggesting that single study sites or populations may not be representative of a given local population or even species.     

大贵寺国家森林公园野生青檀居群的遗传多样性

利用ISSR分子标记技术对湖北省大贵寺国家森林公园野生青檀（Pteroceltis tatarinowii Maxim．）居群进行遗传多样性分析。用11条ISSR引物对6个青檀居群64个样品进行扩增,扩增片段长度在200bp至3000bp之间,检测到179个位点,其中多态位点165个,多态位点百分率（P）为92．14％。青檀在物种水平上的Nei基因多样性指数（胁）和Shannon信息指数∽分别为0．273和0．423,在居群水平上分别为0．225和0．343,显示出青檀有着较高的遗传多样性。居群间的遗传分化系数（Gsr）为0．192,表明青檀居群间存在着较大的遗传分化;UPGMA聚类分析表明遗传距离与海拔差距有一定的相关性,相邻海拔的青檀居群间遗传距离较近。不同海拔导致的异质生境可能是影响青檀居群遗传分化的主要原因。     

Twin–twin transfusion syndrome—possible roles for doppler ultrasound and amniocentesis

A 29-year-old woman was referred for suspicion of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Several ultrasonographic and neonatal criteria of TTTS were encountered in this twin pregnancy. The peculiar observations in this case were, firstly, the demonstration of superficial anastomosis by Doppler ultrasound and, secondly, that one single therapeutic amniocentesis could have been sufficient to partially correct the progression of the syndrome, as after amniocentesis it was no longer possible to demonstrate the vascular communication. This observation suggests that superficial anastomoses could also have a role in the genesis of TTTS. Their effect could be monitored by Doppler ultrasound and could be more easily corrected by therapeutic amniocentesis.     

Fragile X demonstrated retrospectively in amniotic cells cultured in low folate medium

Chromosome analysis in a boy aged 10 months, with psychomotor retardation, revealed the fragile X-chromosome in lymphocytes and skin fibroblasts cultured in low folate medium (TC 199). Amniocentesis and chromosomal analysis had been carried out during pregnancy because of advanced maternal age. Review of the slides from amniotic fluid cells grown routinely in low folate medium showed the marker X in 10.6 per cent of the metaphases. Possible explanations for the appearance of the marker X in amniotic cell culture are discussed.