Assembling materials with DNA as the guide

DNA's remarkable molecular recognition properties and structural features make it one of the most promising templates to pattern materials with nanoscale precision. The emerging field of DNA nanotechnology strips this molecule from any preconceived biological role and exploits its simple code to generate addressable nanostructures in one, two, and three dimensions. These structures have been used to precisely position proteins, nanoparticles, transition metals, and other functional components into deliberately designed patterns. They can also act as templates for the growth of nanowires, aid in the structural determination of proteins, and provide new platforms for genomics applications. The field of DNA nanotechnology is growing in a number of directions, carrying with it the promise to substantially affect materials science and biology.     

The effect of wide initial spacing on wood properties in plantation grown Eucalyptus pilularis

Eucalyptus pilularis planted at three initial stocking densities of 833, 1111 and 1,667 stems ha^?1 grown at either square or rectangular spacing was assessed for the effects of stocking and rectangularity on wood properties. Sample trees from each stocking and rectangularity combination were harvested at age 7 years and assessed for the commercially important wood properties of bow, as an indication of growth strain, shrinkage and basic density. Crown length ratio was used as an indicator of stand vigour and clear wood availability. Furthermore comment is made on the financial ramifications of wide inter-row spacing. Stocking and rectangularity significantly influenced bow but not shrinkage or basic density. Reducing within-row spacing to 2 m with a larger between-row-space of 6 m had minimal affect on wood properties. Reducing the number of rows, whilst still retaining a commercial stocking, reduces the establishment costs and increases the ease of mechanical harvesting without adversely affecting log value.     

The cellular basis of GABA(B)-mediated interhemispheric inhibition

Interhemispheric inhibition is thought to mediate cortical rivalry between the two hemispheres through callosal input. The long-lasting form of this inhibition is believed to operate via γ-aminobutyric acid type B (GABA(B)) receptors, but the process is poorly understood at the cellular level. We found that the firing of layer 5 pyramidal neurons in rat somatosensory cortex due to contralateral sensory stimulation was inhibited for hundreds of milliseconds when paired with ipsilateral stimulation. The inhibition acted directly on apical dendrites via layer 1 interneurons but was silent in the absence of pyramidal cell firing, relying on metabotropic inhibition of active dendritic currents recruited during neuronal activity. The results not only reveal the microcircuitry underlying interhemispheric inhibition but also demonstrate the importance of active dendritic properties for cortical output.     

Advances in bovine tuberculosis diagnosis and pathogenesis: what policy makers need to know

The mainstay of tuberculosis diagnosis in cattle and deer has been the tuberculin skin test. Recent advances have allowed the incorporation of blood based assays to the diagnostic arsenal for both cattle and deer. Use of defined and specific antigens has allowed for improved specificity of cell mediated assays in both cattle and deer and advances in antibody tests for tuberculosis have potential for use in free-ranging and captive cervid populations. Combined use of blood-based assays with skin testing will require further understanding of the effect of skin testing on the accuracy of blood based assays. Models of experimental infection of cattle have allowed for increased understanding of natural disease pathogenesis. Differences likely exist; however, between cattle and deer in both disease distribution and primary route of inoculation in naturally infected animals.     

Salmonella shed by horses with colic

Salmonella was isolated from 13 of 100 colicky horses admitted to a referral hospital. Seven horses were shedding the microorganism at or soon after hospital admission. A unique serotype was introduced into the hospital by a horse not shedding Salmonella at admission. It was concluded that 8 horses were infected before admission. Whether the remaining 5 horses were infected before or after admission could not be determined. Salmonella senftenberg was the most commonly isolated serotype from colicky horses and from horses with salmonellosis that were not colicky on hospital admission during the survey period. This organism was rarely isolated at the hospital before initiation of this survey.     

Intracranial haemorrhage in pre-viable, premature and full term foals

A neuropathological examination was carried out on the brains of 58 foals. Forty-two were pony foals induced at various periods of gestation from 200 days onwards. Two were pre-viable pony foals delivered by caesarean section and 14 were Thoroughbred foals (one set of twins, two stillborn, five premature, two dysmature, two convulsive and one induced). The only significant pathological change involved intracranial haemorrhage. Subarachnoid haemorrhage occurred in all of 10 pony foals induced before 301 days of gestation and in two pony foals born by caesarean section at 270 and 280 days gestation. Subarachnoid haemorrhage was also present in some pony and Thoroughbred foals born after 301 days gestation; the incidence usually appeared greater in those pony foals which survived for the shortest periods. Haemorrhage also occurred elsewhere in the brains, including the cerebral white matter, the molecular layer of the cerebellum and the medulla, but the intensity could not be related to either length of gestation or duration of survival. No other neuropathological changes were found that could account for the functional state of the animals, whether they were pre-viable, premature, dysmature or convulsive.