Division of labour in honey bees: age- and task-related changes in the expression of octopamine receptor genes.

The honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) has developed into an important ethological model organism for social behaviour and behavioural plasticity. Bees perform a complex age-dependent division of labour with the most pronounced behavioural differences occurring between in-hive bees and foragers. Whereas nurse bees, for example, stay inside the hive and provide the larvae with food, foragers leave the hive to collect pollen and nectar for the entire colony. The biogenic amine octopamine appears to play a major role in division of labour but the molecular mechanisms involved are unknown. We here investigated the role of two characterized octopamine receptors in honey bee division of labour. AmOctαR1 codes for a Ca(2+) -linked octopamine receptor. AmOctßR3/4 codes for a cyclic adenosine monophosphate-coupled octopamine receptor. Messenger RNA expression of AmOctαR1 in different brain neuropils correlates with social task, whereas expression of AmOctßR3/4 changes with age rather than with social role per se. Our results for the first time link the regulatory role of octopamine in division of labour to specific receptors and brain regions. They are an important step forward in our understanding of complex behavioural organization in social groups.

Results in the Operative Treatment of Elderly Patients with Spinal Meningiomas

Objective : With the life expectancy in the industrial nations increasing over the last two decades; the number of patients older than 70 years with spinal tumors and; especially; meningiomas is rising. Our objective is to assess the outcome of surgically treated spinal meningiomas in patients in their eighth or ninth decade of life and to analyze the possible role of some prognostic factors. Patients and methods : Twenty seven consecutive patients over 70 years of age (mean age; 78.3 years) were operated on for spinal meningiomas between 1995 and 2005 in Bordeaux's Neurosurgery Departement. The preoperative neurologic status of the patients was graded with the Solero score; and the general health conditions were staged according to the American Society of Anesthesiology classification. Tumor were removed totally in 26 cases and subtotally removed in one. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 81 months (mean; 27.1 months). Results: There was no operative mortality; and morbidity was not significant. Although not significant; neurologic outcome was better in patients with a low preoperative Solero score than those with a high one (P 0.01). Clinical outcome was not influenced by the preoperative general health conditions according to American Society of Anesthesiology classification (p0.07). Clinical outcome was influenced by the duration of symptoms before surgery (p0.05). No recurrence was observed during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Neurologic outcome following surgery was favorable in the vast majority of patients; with no mortality or significant morbidity. Surgery is the only treatment in elderly patients with symptomatic spinal meningiomas; even for those with a poor preoperative neurologic condition. Whenever there is an acceptable risk from an anesthesiological point of view

New horizons in military dental laboratory training.

Dental laboratory training has taken on a new look for the military. As a result of numerous cost analyses Air Force, Navy, and Army training has been combined under one roof. All three services have molded their courses together to form a tri-service training program at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas. Graduation of the first class occurred on June 24, 1998. A 6 month basic course, as well as several advanced concept courses are offered by the program. Instructors from all branches of service are represented on staff to teach. The facility is state of the art and was built in 1991 to provide for Air Force Dental Training. Downsizing of today's military has resulted in dental training coming together to provide one quality course to military individuals qualified to enroll, thus ensuring tomorrow's laboratory technicians will be as qualified as those in the past.