The retest distribution of the visual field summary index mean deviation is close to normal.

Purpose: When modelling optimum strategies for how best to determine visual field progression in glaucoma, it is commonly assumed that the summary index mean deviation (MD) is normally distributed on repeated testing. Here we tested whether this assumption is correct.

Methods: We obtained 42 reliable 24-2 Humphrey Field Analyzer SITA standard visual fields from one eye of each of five healthy young observers, with the first two fields excluded from analysis.

Use of multiplexed tandem PCR to estimate the prevalence and intensity of Theileria orientalis infections in cattle.

This study employed a semi-quantitative, multiplexed tandem PCR (MT-PCR) to assess the prevalence and infection intensity of four genotypes (buffeli, chitose, ikeda and type 5) of Theileria orientalis in cattle in Australia. Genomic DNA samples from blood samples (n=448) collected from 27 to 32 dairy cows from each of 15 dairy herds with a history of recent theileriosis outbreaks (Group 1), and from blood samples available from 24 cows with or without oriental theileriosis (Group 2) were tested using MT-PCR. Results revealed that all four genotypes were present in Group 1 cattle; genotype buffeli had the highest prevalence (80.

Cyclosporin A has direct effects on adult neural precursor cells.

Multipotent, self-renewing neural stem cells and their progeny [collectively referred to as neural precursor cells (NPCs)] represent a population of cells with great promise for CNS repair. To effectively harness their potential for therapeutic applications, the factors that regulate NPC behavior and/or fate must be well understood. The ability of immunomodulatory molecules to affect NPC behavior is of interest because of recent work elucidating the complex interactions between the immune system and nervous system.