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Background: Single-stranded RNA viruses, infectious to the European honeybee, Apis mellifera L. are known to reside at low levels in colonies, with typically no apparent signs of infection observed in the honeybees. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) of regions of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is often used to diagnose their presence in apiaries and also to classify the type of virus detected.

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Diel studies of an Emiliania huxleyi bloom within a mesocosm revealed a highly dynamic associated viral community, changing on small times scales of hours.

Analytical flow cytometry (AFC) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) were used to investigate the diversity and dynamics of viruses, bacteria and phytoplankton communities in a hypereutrophic freshwater lake. Samples were taken from different depths throughout the water column over an annual cycle. Priest Pot is a small lake in the Lake District in NW England (UK), and has been well characterised in previous studies; however, little is known of the diversity and dynamics of the virus community. Virus abundance was shown to change over both spatial and temporal scales, and appeared to be closely linked to other biotic and abiotic parameters. The highest virus concentrations occurred in the deepest part of the lake at a depth of 3.2 m, in the anoxic layer, at the same time as a peak of abundance of green sulphur bacteria. Sequence analysis of a DGGE band that occurred at the same time suggested a bacterium similar to Chlorobium spp., a green sulphur bacterium, comprised part of this bacterial bloom.

IntroductionClozapine, while effective in treatment refractory schizophrenia, is associated with significant weight gain, heart disease and increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although there is evidence for weight loss with metformin for people with obesity who are already taking clozapine, there have been no published trials that have investigated the effect of metformin in attenuating weight gain at the time of clozapine initiation.Methods and analysisA 24-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial of concomitant prescription of metformin at clozapine commencement. Eighty-six people being commenced on clozapine will be randomised to placebo or metformin (variable dose, up to 2 g/day). The primary outcome is comparative end point body weight, between the placebo and metformin groups. Secondary outcomes are comparative rates of conversion to T2DM, alteration of metabolic syndrome parameters, proportion gaining >5% body weight and changes in diet and appetite. We will additionally examine biomarkers associated with change in weight among trial participants.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was granted by the Metro South Human Research Ethics Committee HREC/17/QPAH/538-SSA/17/QPAH/565. We plan to submit a manuscript of the results to a peer-reviewed journal, and present results at conferences, consumer forums and hospital grand rounds.Trial registration numberACTRN12617001547336; Pre-results.