Experience-driven plasticity of visual cortex limited by myelin and Nogo receptor

Monocular deprivation normally alters ocular dominance in the visual cortex only during a postnatal critical period (20 to 32 days postnatal in mice). We find that mutations in the Nogo-66 receptor (NgR) affect cessation of ocular dominance plasticity. In NgR-/- mice, plasticity during the critical period is normal, but it continues abnormally such that ocular dominance at 45 or 120 days postnatal is subject to the same plasticity as at juvenile ages. Thus, physiological NgR signaling from myelin-derived Nogo, MAG, and OMgp consolidates the neural circuitry established during experience-dependent plasticity. After pathological trauma, similar NgR signaling limits functional recovery and axonal regeneration.     

Using herd records to monitor transition cow survival, productivity, and health.

There is no single monitor that can fully characterize the success of a transition cow management program in a herd. Rather we must rely on a group of key monitors. Table 5 outlines the key indices and targets that we use in herd investigations. By using these monitors, effective transition cow programs can be differentiated from problematic ones, and many of the problems can be resolved for the good of the herd owners, dairy laborers, and most of all, the cows. Development of more sophisticated monitors and software with stronger epidemiologic structure will allow for better analysis of programs in the future.     

Molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium subtypes in cattle in England

Samples of Cryptosporidium spp., collected in a cross-sectional study of calves (median age 26 days) from 41 farms in Cheshire, UK, underwent molecular typing. The aim was to determine naturally occurring species/genotypes and to investigate transmission pathways within a local area. Of 60 positive samples, 54 were sequenced at an 18S rRNA locus and 51 were typed at a GP60 locus. C. parvum was identified in 50 samples, three cases were C. bovis and one was Cryptosporidium deer-like genotype. Six GP60 subgenotypes were identified. One subgenotype (IIaA15G2R1) was highly prevalent throughout the study area. A single subgenotype was identified on 20/22 farms. Two subgenotypes were found on 2/22 farms. The spatial scan statistic detected a cluster of subgenotype IIaA15G2R1 comprising seven farms. This suggests local transmission of the parasite between farms. As most of the isolates detected were the potentially zoonotic C. parvum allele IIa, intervention strategies should be considered to reduce the threat to public health. Biosecurity measures may reduce transmission between farms and result in lower levels of environmental contamination.     

Reproductive performance and mature gonad morphology of triploid and diploid Black Tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) siblings

Sibling harvest age Black Tiger shrimp triploids and diploids of both sexes were reared to reproductive maturity, crossed with wild caught females and males, conditioned for spawning and a comprehensive reproductive performance trial was undertaken. Ovarian development, spawning frequency, fecundity, hatch rate, gonad morphology, male reproductive tracts and thelycum impregnation rates of the wild female × triploid male cross were assessed. After ablation, ovarian development and cycling between wild G₀ diploid and G₁ diploids was not significantly different, whereas G₁ triploids failed to show any signs of ovarian development and cycling, thus resulting in no G₁ triploid female spawnings. There were 10 G₀ diploid female × G₀ diploid male first‐spawnings and 9 G₀ diploid female × G₁ diploid male first‐spawnings, all of which produced viable nauplii. In comparison, there were 7 G₀ diploid female × G₁ triploid male first‐spawnings, none of which produced viable nauplii. The 26 wild G₀ diploid female spawnings had more eggs than the 1 G₁ diploid female spawning. Gonad morphology and male reproductive tract assessments showed impaired reproductive development in triploid gonadal tissues of both sexes (compared with sibling diploids and wild shrimp) to a point where complete maturation had not occurred. The thelycum of 16 wild G₀ diploid females crossed with G₁ triploid males had no visible spermatophore present, suggesting that G₁ triploid males are incapable of developing viable spermatophores and mating with females. This study demonstrates that the triploid females and males are incapable of producing viable gametes and are thus reproductively sterile.