Conscious vision is believed to depend upon an intact primary visual cortex (V1), although injury in early life is often accompanied by the preservation of visual capacity, unlike in adulthood. The ...middle temporal area (MT) receives input from the retinorecipient koniocellular layers of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and the more recently described medial subdivision of the inferior pulvinar (PIm) of the thalamus, pathways that potentially contribute to preservation of vision after early damage to V1.
We examined the potential of these pathways to the long-term preservation of vision after permanent lesions of primate V1 in early and adult life by using a combination of neural tracing and diffusion MRI. We show that early-life V1 lesions lead to less pruning of the retina-pulvinar-MT pathway than is observed in control or adult lesion animals.
These findings suggest that sustained visual input through the pulvinar to MT following a lesion of V1 in early life has the capacity to afford improved visual outcomes.
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•The pulvinar is responsible for preserved vision following early-life V1 lesions•The retina-pulvinar-MT pathway remains unpruned following early-life lesions of V1•The retina-pulvinar-MT pathway is an alternate pathway for visual information•Retinal input to the LGN degenerates after an early-life V1 lesion
Warner et al. demonstrate in primates how, following early-life lesions of the primary visual cortex (V1), the disynaptic connection from the retina to the middle temporal area via the medial division of the inferior pulvinar is the likely neural substrate that affords the preservation of visual capacity. This phenomenon is often observed in humans.
•Anticyclonic vortices formed in Saturn’s stratosphere after the 2010 giant storm.•Observations show enhanced temperatures and constituent abundances in the vortices.•A photochemical model is used to ...track the time-variable chemistry in the vortices.•Chemistry due to elevated temperatures alone cannot explain the observations.•Models that include downwelling winds in the vortices reproduce Cassini infrared data.
The giant northern-hemisphere storm that erupted on Saturn in December 2010 triggered significant changes in stratospheric temperatures and species abundances that persisted for more than a year after the original outburst. The stratospheric regions affected by the storm have been nicknamed “beacons” due to their prominent infrared-emission signatures (Fletcher, L.N. et al. 2011. Science 332, 1413). The two beacon regions that were present initially merged in April 2011 to form a single, large, anticyclonic vortex (Fletcher, L.N. et al. 2012. Icarus 221, 560). We model the expected photochemical evolution of the stratospheric constituents in the beacons from the initial storm onset through the merger and on out to March 2012. The results are compared with longitudinally resolved Cassini/CIRS spectra from May 2011. If we ignore potential changes due to vertical winds within the beacon, we find that C2H2, C2H6, and C3H8 remain unaffected by the increased stratospheric temperatures in the beacon, the abundance of the shorter-lived CH3C2H decreases, and the abundance of C2H4 increases significantly due to the elevated temperatures, the latter most notably in a secondary mixing-ratio peak located near mbar pressures. The C4H2 abundance in the model decreases by a factor of a few in the 0.01–10mbar region but has a significant increase in the 10–30mbar region due to evaporation of the previously condensed phase. The column abundances of C6H6 and H2O above ∼30mbar also increase due to aerosol evaporation. Model-data comparisons show that models that consider temperature changes alone underpredict the abundance of C2Hx species by a factor of 2–7 in the beacon core in May 2011, suggesting that other processes not considered by the models, such as downwelling winds in the vortex, are affecting the species profiles. Additional calculations indicate that downwelling winds of order -10cms−1 near ∼0.1mbar need to be included in the photochemical models in order to explain the inferred C2Hx abundances in the beacon core, indicating that both strong subsiding winds and chemistry at elevated temperatures are affecting the vertical profiles of atmospheric constituents in the beacon. We (i) discuss the general chemical behavior of stratospheric species in the beacon region, (ii) demonstrate how the evolving beacon environment affects the species vertical profiles and emission characteristics (both with and without the presence of vertical winds), (iii) make predictions with respect to compositional changes that can be tested against Cassini and Herschel data, and higher-spectral-resolution ground-based observations of the beacon region, and (iv) discuss future measurements and modeling that could further our understanding of the dynamical origin, evolution, and chemical processing within these unexpected stratospheric vortices that were generated after the 2010 convective event.
Streptococcus uberis is a major causative agent of bovine mastitis worldwide, negatively affecting both milk production and animal welfare. Mammary infections result from environmental reservoirs, ...with cattle themselves required to propagate the infection cycle. Two longitudinal studies were performed to investigate the prevalence of Streptococcus uberis within feces and to evaluate factors which may affect gastrointestinal carriage. Bacterial detection was confirmed using a PCR-based method directed against sub0888 that detected S. uberis at an analytical sensitivity of 12 cfu/g of bovine feces. The first study sampled an entire herd at 8-wk intervals, over a 10-mo period and identified that maintenance of S. uberis within the dairy cow environment was due to a high proportion of animals shedding S. uberis and not due to a low number of “super-shedding” cows within the herd. Seasonality influenced detection rates, with detection levels significantly higher for housed cattle compared with those at pasture. Multilevel logistic regression was used to identify significant factors that affected S. uberis detection; these included parity, stage of lactation, and body condition score. An additional study involved screening a smaller cohort of cows housed over a 4-wk period and identified an increased probability of detection if cows were housed in loose straw yards, compared those in straw cubicles. This study highlighted several cow and management related factors that affect both detection of S. uberis and future infection risks.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its complications can have debilitating, sometimes fatal consequences for afflicted individuals. The disease can be difficult to control, and therapeutic strategies to ...prevent T2D-induced tissue and organ damage are needed. Here we describe the results of administering a potent and selective inhibitor of Protein Kinase C (PKC) family members PKCα and PKCβ, Cmpd 1, in the ZSF1 obese rat model of hyperphagia-induced, obesity-driven T2D. Although our initial intent was to evaluate the effect of PKCα/β inhibition on renal damage in this model setting, Cmpd 1 unexpectedly caused a marked reduction in the hyperphagic response of ZSF1 obese animals. This halted renal function decline but did so indirectly and indistinguishably from a pair feeding comparator group. However, above and beyond this food intake effect, Cmpd 1 lowered overall animal body weights, reduced liver vacuolation, and reduced inguinal adipose tissue (iWAT) mass, inflammation, and adipocyte size. Taken together, Cmpd 1 had strong effects on multiple disease parameters in this obesity-driven rodent model of T2D. Further evaluation for potential translation of PKCα/β inhibition to T2D and obesity in humans is warranted.
We obtained the first maps of Jupiter at 1-3 mm wavelength with the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) on 2017 January 3-5, just days after an energetic eruption at 16 5S jovigraphic ...latitude had been reported by the amateur community, and about two to three months after the detection of similarly energetic eruptions in the northern hemisphere, at 22 2-23 0N. Our observations, probing below the ammonia cloud deck, show that the erupting plumes in the South Equatorial Belt bring up ammonia gas from the deep atmosphere. While models of plume eruptions that are triggered at the water condensation level explain data taken at uv-visible and mid-infrared wavelengths, our ALMA observations provide a crucial, hitherto missing, link in the moist convection theory by showing that ammonia gas from the deep atmosphere is indeed brought up in these plumes. Contemporaneous Hubble Space Telescope data show that the plumes reach altitudes as high as the tropopause. We suggest that the plumes at 22 2-23 0N also rise up well above the ammonia cloud deck and that descending air may dry the neighboring belts even more than in quiescent times, which would explain our observations in the north.
Survival of Streptococcus uberis on bedding substrates Sherwin, Virginia E.; Egan, Sharon A.; Green, Martin J. ...
The veterinary journal (1997),
October 2021, 2021-Oct, 2021-10-00, 20211001, Letnik:
276
Journal Article
Recenzirano
•Streptococcus uberis survived on sand and straw bedding for at least 35 days.•Streptococcus uberis did not survive on sawdust for more than 7 days.•Streptococcus uberis replicated on used sand and ...straw bedding material.
Streptococcus uberis (S. uberis) is a mastitis pathogen with an environmental reservoir. Management factors related to housing design and bedding are associated with the risk of S. uberis mastitis. This study aimed to investigate the ability of five distinct strains of S. uberis to survive and replicate on three common bedding materials (sand, wheat straw and kiln dried pine sawdust). Sterilized bedding substrates were inoculated with S. uberis and incubated at room temperature. Bacterial recovery from these media over time indicated that S. uberis numbers increased on used bedding materials, suggesting the addition of faeces and urine promoted replication. The bacterium was recovered for at least 35 days on straw and sand bedding, but could not be recovered beyond 7 days on clean or used sawdust. This study demonstrates the importance of bedding type and management on the environmental survival of S. uberis.
Utilising next generation sequencing to interrogate saturated bacterial mutant libraries provides unprecedented information for the assignment of genome-wide gene essentiality. Exposure of saturated ...mutant libraries to specific conditions and subsequent sequencing can be exploited to uncover gene essentiality relevant to the condition. Here we present a barcoded transposon directed insertion-site sequencing (TraDIS) system to define an essential gene list for Streptococcus equi subsp. equi, the causative agent of strangles in horses, for the first time. The gene essentiality data for this group C Streptococcus was compared to that of group A and B streptococci.
Six barcoded variants of pGh9:ISS1 were designed and used to generate mutant libraries containing between 33,000-66,000 unique mutants. TraDIS was performed on DNA extracted from each library and data were analysed separately and as a combined master pool. Gene essentiality determined that 19.5% of the S. equi genome was essential. Gene essentialities were compared to those of group A and group B streptococci, identifying concordances of 90.2% and 89.4%, respectively and an overall concordance of 83.7% between the three species.
The use of barcoded pGh9:ISS1 to generate mutant libraries provides a highly useful tool for the assignment of gene function in S. equi and other streptococci. The shared essential gene set of group A, B and C streptococci provides further evidence of the close genetic relationships between these important pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, the ABC of gene essentiality reported here provides a solid foundation towards reporting the functional genome of streptococci.
Background Patch testing is essential for identification of culprits causing allergic contact dermatitis. Objective We sought to identify trends and allergen changes in our standard series during ...2006 to 2010, compared with our previous report (2001-2005). Methods We conducted a retrospective review of patch-test results. Results A total of 3115 patients were tested with a mean of 73.0 allergens. Since our prior report, 8 allergens were added to the standard series; 14 were deleted. Significantly higher rates of allergic positive reaction were documented for carba mix, 3%, and Disperse Orange 3, 1%. Rates were lower for 10 allergens: neomycin sulfate, 20%; gold sodium thiosulfate, 0.5%; hexahydro-1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)triazine, 1%; disperse blue 124, 1%; disperse blue 106, 1%; diazolidinyl urea, 1%; hexylresorcinol, 0.25%; diazolidinyl urea, 1% aqueous; 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, 0.25%; and lidocaine, 5%. Many final patch-test readings for many allergens were categorized as mild reactions (erythema only). Overall allergenicity and irritancy rates declined significantly since our prior report. Results were generally comparable with those in a North American Contact Dermatitis Group report from 2005 to 2006. Limitations This was a retrospective study; there is a lack of long-term follow-up. Conclusions Since our previous report, our standard series composition has changed, and overall rates of allergenicity and irritancy have decreased. Notably, many final patch-test readings showed mild reactions.
Streptococcus uberis is frequently isolated from the mammary gland of dairy cattle. Infection with some strains can induce mild subclinical inflammation whilst others induce severe inflammation and ...clinical mastitis. We compared here the inflammatory response of primary cultures of bovine mammary epithelial cells (pbMEC) towards S. uberis strains collected from clinical or subclinical cases (seven strains each) of mastitis with the strong response elicited by Escherichia coli. Neither heat inactivated nor live S. uberis induced the expression of 10 key immune genes (including TNF, IL1B, IL6). The widely used virulent strain 0140J and the avirulent strain, EF20 elicited similar responses; as did mutants defective in capsule (hasA) or biofilm formation (sub0538 and sub0539). Streptococcus uberis failed to activate NF-κB in pbMEC or TLR2 in HEK293 cells, indicating that S. uberis particles did not induce any TLR-signaling in MEC. However, preparations of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from two strains strongly induced immune gene expression and activated NF-κB in pbMEC, without the involvement of TLR2. The immune-stimulatory LTA must be arranged in the intact S. uberis such that it is unrecognizable by the relevant pathogen receptors of the MEC. The absence of immune recognition is specific for MEC, since the same S. uberis preparations strongly induced immune gene expression and NF-κB activity in the murine macrophage model cell RAW264.7. Hence, the sluggish immune response of MEC and not of professional immune cells to this pathogen may aid establishment of the often encountered belated and subclinical phenotype of S. uberis mastitis.
Context:
Lifestyle factors mediate epigenetic changes that can cause chronic diseases. Although animal and laboratory studies link epigenetic changes to diabetes, epigenetic information in women with ...gestational diabetes (GDM) and type 2 diabetes is lacking.
Objective:
This study sought to measure epigenetic markers across pregnancy and early postpartum and identify markers that could be used as predictors for conversion from GDM to type 2 diabetes.
Design:
Global histone H3 dimethylation was measured in white blood cells at three time points: 30 wk gestation, 8–10 wk postpartum, and 20 wk postpartum, from four groups of women with and without diabetes.
Setting and Participants:
A total of 39 participants (six to nine in each group) were recruited including: nondiabetic women; women with GDM who developed postpartum type 2 diabetes; women with GDM without postpartum type 2 diabetes; and women with type 2 diabetes.
Main Outcome Measure:
Percentages of dimethylation of H3 histones relative to total H3 histone methylation were compared between diabetic/nondiabetic groups using appropriate comparative statistics.
Results:
H3K27 dimethylation was 50–60% lower at 8–10 and 20 wk postpartum in women with GDM who developed type 2 diabetes, compared with nondiabetic women. H3K4 dimethylation was 75% lower at 8–10 wk postpartum in women with GDM who subsequently developed type 2 diabetes compared with women who had GDM who did not.
Conclusions:
The percentage of dimethylation of histones H3K27 and H3K4 varied with diabetic state and has the potential as a predictive tool to identify women who will convert from GDM to type 2 diabetes.
“Histone dimethylation levels are different between diabetic and non-diabetic women and are a potential predictor of transition from GDM to type 2 diabetes.”
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