Sensory perception, including thermosensation, shapes longevity in diverse organisms, but longevity-modulating signals from the sensory neurons are largely obscure. Here we show that CRH-1/CREB activation by CMK-1/CaMKI in the AFD thermosensory neuron is a key mechanism that maintains lifespan at warm temperatures in C. elegans. In response to temperature rise and crh-1 activation, the AFD neurons produce and secrete the FMRFamide neuropeptide FLP-6. Both CRH-1 and FLP-6 are necessary and sufficient for longevity at warm temperatures. Our data suggest that FLP-6 targets the AIY interneurons and engages DAF-9 sterol hormone signaling. Moreover, we show that FLP-6 signaling downregulates ins-7/insulin-like peptide and several insulin pathway genes, whose activity compromises lifespan. Our work illustrates how temperature experience is integrated by the thermosensory circuit to generate neuropeptide signals that remodel insulin and sterol hormone signaling and reveals a neuronal-endocrine circuit driven by thermosensation to promote temperature-specific longevity.

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Fifteen cases of vitreous floaters with serious psychological reactions have been collected. By using a direct ophthalmoscope, causal vitreous opacities were detected. The opacities were photodisrupted with neodymium YAG laser, using energy levels of 5 to 7*1 mJ and total energy 71 to 742-0 mJ. Symptoms completely disappeared immediately after treatment in all 15 cases. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications noted during a follow up period of at least 1 year. To our knowledge, the use ofneodymium YAG laser to treat vitreous floaters has not been previously described. Our initial experience indicates that the treatment is simple, safe, and effective. (BrJ Ophthalmol 1993; 77: 485-488) The perception of floaters is a common complaint of ophthalmic patients, and may be symptomatic of serious vitreoretinal disorders: it may also occur commonly in otherwise normal eyes. In the latter situation floaters result from localised vitreous opacities that are products of either vitreous degenerations or posterior vitreous detachments. Although most of them will resolve spontaneously, some become coarse. Their natural history cannot be predicted. They are harmless and need no treatment. However, there are rare patients who may react so excessively to vitrous floaters that they are psychologically incapacitated. For these patients, it is worth employing more aggressive treatment to relieve their annoyance. We found that this type of floater usually results from localised vitreous opacities which could easily be photodisrupted to make the floaters disappear. Our report describes treatment using a neodymium YAG (Nd-YAG) laser for 15 patients with excellent results. As far as laser treatment was concerned, all of the above mentioned examinations were for documentation only. However, an ocular fundus examination with direct ophthalmoscopy was mandatory. Through the maximally dilated pupil, the ophthalmoscopy was initially focused on the disc, the lens wheel was moved from a lower black number toward a higher black number, and the patient was asked to move his eye from left to right. The opacity was seen to float by. Usually, they were centrally located and were less than three in number. The number of opacities was equal to that ofthe floaters; a single opacity always induced a single floater. If the number of opacities was larger than the number of floaters, the more centrally located opacities were the ones responsible for the floaters. The causal relationship between vitreous opacities and floaters was easily determined in this way. The exact locations, sizes, and shapes of the causal opacities were sketched in a three dimensional graph with the optic disc serving as a reference point. When the treatment was being performed, this graph might serve to show the exact location of the target opacity and, more importantly, to show the distance of the opacity from the retina so as to avoid damaging it. The actual distance of vitreous opacity from retina could be

Land application of wastewater biosolids is both economical and beneficial to resource recycling. However, this environmentally friendly practice can be at risk due to odor complaints. Volatile organic sulfur compounds (VOSCs) including methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide, have been identified as major contributors to biosolids odor. In this study, methanogens were shown to play a key role in removing VOSCs and reducing odors, and methane production was related to reduced VOSC production. Factors influencing the growth of methanogens such as the shear during dewatering and storage temperature showed a strong impact on net odor production. Examination of the microbial communities of both bacteria and archaea indicated a simplified archaeal community in biosolids, which is susceptible to environmental perturbations. Therefore, one possible odor control strategy is the preservation and enhancement of the methanogenic population during biosolids storage.

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