Phylogeographic Substructuring in the Southernmost Refugium of the European Common Frog Rana temporaria.

Rana temporaria is one of the most widespread Palearctic brown frogs. We aimed to clarify distribution pattern of two main genetic clades in the understudied Balkan peninsula by using 16SrRNA and MT-CYTB sequences, already widely applied in analyses of populations from other parts of Europe, while focusing on the broad area along the Morava river (central Balkans) as a known gap in the species distribution. Additionally, we were interested in revealing the extent of haplotype diversity within the main genetic clades in the Balkans, particularly around the supposed suture zone. The results revealed a suture zone between the Western and Eastern Clades in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. This indicated the existence of a historical barrier between the Balkan Mountain Belt and geographically close mountains surrounding the Vlasina Plateau (Rhodope/Serbian-Macedonian Massif). The overall observed haplotype diversity in populations of R. temporaria from the Balkan Peninsula seems high. Harboring both main genetic clades of R. temporaria qualifies the Balkan Peninsula as another important center of species' genetic diversity, as well as rich in unique haplotypes. This points out the necessity of applying conservation measures focused on the common European frog populations and habitats in this part of the species' distribution area.

Lamotrigine augmentation in delirium tremens.

INTRODUCTION: Delirium tremens (DT) is most severe neurological complication of alcohol withdrawal with high mortality rate. DT is related to an altered balance of excitatory and inhibitory amino-acid neurotransmitters, which is basically due to upregulation of glutaminergic neurotransmission induced by chronic ethanol exposure. Lamotrigine (LTG) is believed to act by reducing excitatory glutamate release due to inhibition of Na (+) channels. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate efficiency of the LTG therapy in the treatment of delirium tremens. METHODS: This prospective clinical study included 240 patients with ICD-10 criteria for DT, who were randomly divided into control and experimental group. The patients were observed within 28 days at the Intensive Care Unit of the Centre for Urgent Psychiatric disorders, according to a specific protocol, which included CIWA-Ar and MDAS clinical scales. Control and experimental group were treated according to the NIAAA protocol for 2004, and experimental group with adding of LTG according to a specific program. RESULTS: CIWA and MDAS scores in the experimental and control group has statistical significant differences after the third day (p > 0.1), and especially after the fifth day (ECIWA5/KCIWA5 = 8.36 +/- 6.782/32 +/- 5.562; EMDAS5/KMDAS5 = 4.89 +/- 3.408/26.33 +/- 1.497) (p > 0.5). CONCLUSION: LTG is significantly efficient in the treatment of delirium tremens, but it does not decrease mortality rate.