Multifrequency species classification of acoustic-trawl survey data using semi-supervised learning with class discovery.

Acoustic surveys often use multifrequency backscatter to estimate fish and plankton abundance. Direct samples are used to validate species classification of acoustic backscatter, but samples may be sparse or unavailable. A generalized Gaussian mixture model was developed to classify multifrequency acoustic backscatter when not all species classes are known. The classification, based on semi-supervised learning with class discovery, was applied to data collected in the eastern Bering Sea during summers 2004, 2007, and 2008. Walleye pollock, euphausiids, and two other major classes occurring in the upper water column were identified.

Schlemm's canal: the effect of intraocular pressure.

We have shown that in the excised eye when oil in the anterior chamber has made the trabecular mesh impermeable, resistance to circumferential flow along the canal increases moderately as transmural pressure is increased. At the same time, resistance to outflow from the canal through the collector channels increases markedly as transmural pressure is increased from low levels to 35 or 40 mm Hg. We have suggested that the usual primary defect in open-angle glaucoma is reduced facility of the inner canal wall and that collapse of the canal with reduction of filtering area and plugging of collector channels is a secondary effect.

In vivo IL-1beta-induced modulation of G-protein alphaO subunit subclass in the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus: implications to IL-1beta-associated anorexia.

The intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) induces anorexia in rats at doses that yield estimated pathophysiological concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid. IL-1beta also induces anorexia when administered into the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMN), an important brain site for the control of feeding. A variety of guanine nucleotide binding protein (G-protein) coupled receptors (e. g., for neurotransmitters and neuropeptides) participate in the integrative regulation of feeding. Our previous studies reported that the VMN G-protein alphaO common subunit subclass is involved in the control of normal feeding, and that IL-1beta modulates calcium channel currents via a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive G-protein (GalphaO/Galphai). Here, we examined the profile of GalphaO protein expression in the hypothalamic VMN during IL-1beta-induced anorexia. Intracerebroventricular microinfusion of IL-1beta (0.5 to 8.0 ng/24 h for 72 h) into the third cerebral ventricle dose-dependently induced anorexia (p<0.001) and decreased the VMN GalphaO common protein levels (p<0.001). Heat-inactivated IL-1beta and IL-1beta plus IL-1 receptor antagonist (a competitive inhibitor of IL-1beta action) had no effect on food intake or on VMN GalphaO common protein content. RT-PCR analysis of VMN RNA from IL-1beta-treated rats generated an expression profile for GalphaO common subunit; however, no modulation at the mRNA level was observed. The results suggest that anorexia induced by the central administration of IL-1beta involves modification of G-protein alphaO common subunit profile in the central nervous system.

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to G-protein alpha-subunit subclasses identify a transductional requirement for the modulation of normal feeding dependent on G alpha OA subunit.

A variety of G-protein-coupled receptors are proposed to participate in the modulation of ingestive behavior and in the mode of action of antiobesity drugs. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of G-protein alpha-subunit subclasses (molecular transducers of multiple chemical signals) in the control of ingestive behavior. We report here that the chronic intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) microinfusion for 72 h (via osmotic minipumps) with antisense phosphothio-oligodeoxynucleotides corresponding to G-protein alpha-subunitO common (to OA and OB) and OA subclasses decrease the nighttime food intake without affecting water intake in rats. Computerized analyses of the microstructure of feeding indicate that the G alpha OA antisense depresses feeding by reducing meal frequency, while meal size and meal duration increased slightly, but not significantly. The effects of G alpha O common and G alpha OA antisense on feeding are specific since the chronic i.c.v. microinfusion of sense to G alpha O common or G alpha OA, antisense to the related subclass G alpha OB, and antisense to other G-protein alpha-subunits (G alpha S, G alpha Q, G alpha 11 and G alpha i common) had no effect on food or water intake. The observed effects by G alpha O common and G alpha OA antisense imply a direct action in the central nervous system since the chronic subcutaneous microinfusion of G alpha O common and G alpha OA antisense in doses equivalent to two-fold higher relative to those administered centrally had no effect on food intake. The chronic microinfusion of G alpha O common antisense drastically decreased the levels of G alpha O protein detected in immunoblots of hypothalamic ventromedial nuclei. The results suggest that the G-protein alpha-subunit subclass G alpha OA is critical for the integrative modulation of normal feeding behavior, and that changes in its activity may be associated with modifications of feeding. These studies also show a novel approach to study the molecular basis of specific behaviors by manipulating elements of the transductional systems.

Anorexia induced by chronic central administration of cytokines at estimated pathophysiological concentrations.

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induce acute anorexia by direct action in the central nervous system (CNS) at estimated pathophysiological concentrations reported in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Cytokine-induced anorexia may also participate in the long-term anorexia observed during disease. Here, we studied the effects of chronic intracerebroventricular (ICV) microinfusion (through osmotic minipumps) of various cytokines on feeding and drinking in rats. The results show: IL-1 beta decreased nighttime feeding dose-dependently (with 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 8.0 ng/24 h, n > or = 8/group). The decrease of feeding and corresponding decrease of body weight persisted during the 7-day infusion. Total daily food intake decrease was less prominent relative to the nighttime decrease because daytime food intake slightly increased. Feeding and body weight increased toward baseline following the end of the IL-1 beta infusion. ICV microinfusion of heat-inactivated IL-1 beta or IL-1 beta plus IL-1 receptor antagonist had no effect, suggesting specificity of action of IL-1 beta. Water intake did not decrease in any IL-1 beta-treated group, suggesting specificity on feeding. Chronic ICV administration of TNF-alpha (20, 100, or 300 ng/24 h), IL-6 (100 ng/24 h), or IL-8 (20 ng/24 h) was significantly less effective than IL-1 beta in inducing behavioral modifications. The results suggest that IL-1 beta, at doses that yield estimated pathophysiological concentrations in the CSF, is capable of inducing long-term anorexia and this effect may participate in the anorexia observed during chronic disease.

Penicillin (cloxacillin)-tolerant Staphylococcus aureus from bovine mastitis: identification and lack of correlation between tolerance in vitro and response to therapy in vivo.

Twenty-four isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from naturally occurring cases of bovine mastitis were examined in vitro for resistance to cloxacillin. All strains produced penicillinase and none showed intrinsic resistance (methicillin resistance) to cloxacillin. The minimum inhibitory concentration of cloxacillin for all these strains was normal (low) but differences were found between them in their sensitivities to the bactericidal action. Three were considered to be tolerant to cloxacillin and a further five possibly so. In a mouse model of mastitis there was no difference in the response to intramammary therapy with cloxacillin between cloxacillin-sensitive or tolerant strains of S aureus and a known methicillin-resistant strain was similarly sensitive to cloxacillin therapy in vivo. It is concluded that cloxacillin tolerance may have little clinical significance in mastitis therapy.

Pharmacokinetics of cefoperazone in the cow by the intramammary route and its effect on mastitis pathogens in vitro.

The pharmacokinetic and microbiological properties of a new third generation cephalosporin, cefoperazone, when given by the intramammary route to the cow are described. Cefoperazone is excreted from the udder over a three- to five-day period following a single infusion of 250 mg in an oil base into each of all four quarters. By the fifth milking after treatment the mean bucket (composite) concentration of cefoperazone was below 0.01 microgram/ml. The minimal inhibitory concentrations for 470 pathogens isolated from cases of mastitis were determined. A few exotic species were resistant but all the usual isolates were sensitive. No signs of transferable drug resistance from known multiple drug-resistant strains were detected.

A survey of mastitis in the British dairy herd.

Five hundred herds were examined to determine the prevalence of subclinical mastitis in the British dairy herd. The prevalences of the various infections recorded were Streptococcus agalactiae 3.4 per cent of quarters, S dysgalactiae 1.1 per cent, S uberis 1.5 per cent and Staphylococcus pyogenes 8.1 per cent. There were regional differences in the prevalence of some of these pathogens. The national prevalence of subclinical mastitis as defined by the International Dairy Federation was 9.6 per cent of all quarters. Udder infections were less prevalent in herds where mastitis control measures were being used. The prevalence of infection also declined as the size of herd increased. However, as the uptake of mastitis control measures was greater in the larger herds it seems likely that the widespread use of control measures was the most important factor responsible for the relatively low prevalence of subclinical mastitis.

Incidence of clinical mastitis in a cohort of British dairy herds.

A three-year survey to determine the incidence of clinical mastitis and the associated bacteria in dairy herds in England and Wales is described. Escherichia coli was the predominant organism in each year. Streptococcus uberis and Staphylococcus aureus were important for part for each year. The annual incidence of mastitis declined from 54.6 cases per 100 cows in 1980 to 41.2 in 1982. The incidence increased with age and declined with increasing herd size. The culling rate due solely to mastitis was 3 per cent. Strep uberis was the pathogen most frequently isolated from clinical cases which occurred in the dry period. Thirty per cent of all cases recurred at least once and staphylococcal cases exhibited the highest frequency of recurrence.

Observations on the incidence of clinical bovine mastitis in non-lactating cows in England and Wales.

Epidemiological features of clinical mastitis in dry cows from a three year prospective study are described. Two hundred and seventy-three herds in England and Wales participated in the first year (1980) and 209 and 159 of them continued in the study in the subsequent two years. Clinical mastitis was recorded in 1.5 per cent of cows during the dry period in each of the three years. These cases represented between 3.6 and 4.2 per cent of samples from all clinical cases examined. The incidence of clinical mastitis in dry cows increased during the winter housing period (October to March), a peak occurring at the end of this period. A secondary peak in incidence was recorded in August. Streptococcus uberis was the predominant pathogen. Variations in the monthly incidences of cases associated with the major mastitis pathogens were observed. A greater proportion of cases which occurred during the dry period exhibited systemic signs than of cases which occurred during lactation, with the exception of cases associated with Escherichia coli. The risk of clinical mastitis was apparently higher during the last 30 days of the dry period than during the earlier stages of the dry period.

Field trials with cefoperazone in the treatment of bovine clinical mastitis.

A single dose of 250 mg cefoperazone in an oil based suspension infused into bovine quarters suffering from clinical mastitis resulted in an overall clinical cure of 82 per cent in 597 cases, as assessed by veterinarians in four countries (Sweden, Denmark, France and the United Kingdom). Of those cases for which adequate bacteriological data were available 69 per cent of 434 cases were cured. There were no reports of adverse reactions following therapy of an affected quarter. The introduction of single dose treatment represents an advance in mastitis therapy as it offers a simpler and shorter treatment than most present day mastitis therapeutics when used according to recommendations.

Eradication of Mycoplasma bovis infection from a dairy herd in Great Britain.

Mycoplasma bovis infection was eradicated from a naturally infected dairy herd in Great Britain by a programme of identification, segregation and culling of infected animals. A series of group and whole milking herd tests was carried out over a period of 15 months, followed by a whole herd nasal swabbing. Cows were also sampled after calving and at drying off and bulk tanks were sampled at weekly intervals during the same period and for a further nine months. Fifty-nine cows were identified as excretors, the majority in group or herd tests, but five after calving and three at drying off. Eight of the original clinical cases were retained in the herd, after repeated negative test results. Bulk tank sampling was found to be extremely useful in detecting infection even down to one cow in a milking herd of 300. The value of milking hygiene and the indications for eradication are also discussed.

A comparison of national mastitis surveys in Great Britain and the Netherlands.

The results of a national survey of mastitis carried out in 1977 in Great Britain are compared with similar surveys carried out in the Netherlands. The results are very similar although the average herd-size was much higher in the British survey. The advantage of teat-dipping and dry-cow therapy was demonstrated. Both surveys showed a decrease in infection level with increasing herd-size but the reverse was true with increased age. The value of individual bulk-milk cell counts as an indicator of infection level is questioned.