Multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis of Contracaecum magnipapillatum infections in Australian black noddies, Anous minutus (Charadriiformes: Laridae).

We provide the incidental necropsy findings associated with anisakid nematode infections of black noddy terns, Anous minutus Boie, 1844 (Charadriiformes: Laridae), from offshore islands in the southern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. Specimens collected from the proventriculi were identified morphologically as Contracaecum magnipapillatum Chapin, 1925 (Rhabditida: Anisakidae), using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The entire nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1-5.

Co-ordinated expression of innate immune molecules during mouse neurulation.

The innate immune system is the first line of defence against pathogens and infection. Recently, it has become apparent that many innate immune factors have roles outside of immunity and there is growing evidence that these factors play important functional roles during the development of a range of model organisms. Several studies have documented developmental expression of individual factors of the toll-like receptor and complement systems, and we recently demonstrated a key role for complement C5a receptor (C5aR1) signalling in neural tube closure in mice.

Non-isotopic RNA In Situ Hybridization on Embryonic Sections.

This unit describes methods for non-isotopic RNA in situ hybridization on embryonic mouse sections. These methods can be used to follow the spatiotemporal dynamics of gene expression in an embryonic tissue of interest. They involve the use of labeled (e.

Efficient delivery of siRNA to cortical neurons using layered double hydroxide nanoparticles.

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are capable of targeting and destroying specific mRNAs, making them particularly suited to the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions such as Huntington's Disease where the production of abnormal proteins results in a gain-of-function phenotype. Although a variety of nanoparticle formulations are currently under development as siRNA delivery systems, application of these technologies has been limited by their high cytotoxicity, low drug loading capacity and release, and inability to penetrate cell membranes. Layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles are now emerging as a potential new drug delivery system as they exhibit low cytotoxicity and are highly biocompatible.

Basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors cooperate to specify a cortical projection neuron identity.

Several transcription factors are essential determinants of a cortical projection neuron identity, but their mode of action (instructive versus permissive) and downstream genetic cascades remain poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that the proneural basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) gene Ngn2 instructs a partial cortical identity when misexpressed in ventral telencephalic progenitors, inducing ectopic marker expression in a defined temporal sequence, including early (24 h; Nscl2), intermediate (48 h; BhlhB5), and late (72 h; NeuroD, NeuroD2, Math2, and Tbr1) target genes. Strikingly, cortical gene expression was much more rapidly induced by Ngn2 in the dorsal telencephalon (within 12 to 24 h).

STAT5A/B activity is required in the developing forebrain and spinal cord.

Formation of the CNS requires the coordination and integration of processes such as cell proliferation, neuronal differentiation, neuronal migration, axon tract formation and synaptogenesis, all of which must occur at precise times and places during development. Although growth factors are known to play a role in regulating many of these processes, very little is known of the signaling events immediately downstream of ligand-receptor interactions in the developing CNS. Here we present evidence that STAT5, an important mediator of cytokine signaling, is required for some aspects of CNS development.

Na,K-ATPase from mice lacking the gamma subunit (FXYD2) exhibits altered Na+ affinity and decreased thermal stability.

The gamma subunit of the Na,K-ATPase, a 7-kDa single-span membrane protein, is a member of the FXYD gene family. Several FXYD proteins have been shown to bind to Na,K-ATPase and modulate its properties, and each FXYD protein appears to alter enzyme kinetics differently. Different results have sometimes been obtained with different experimental systems, however.