Assessment of the caudate nucleus and its relation to route learning in both congenital and late blind individuals.

BACKGROUND: In the absence of visual input, the question arises as to how complex spatial abilities develop and how the brain adapts to the absence of this modality. As such, the aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between visual status and an important brain structure with a well established role in spatial cognition and navigation, the caudate nucleus. We conducted a volumetric analysis of the caudate nucleus in congenitally and late blind individuals, as well as in matched sighted control subjects. RESULTS: No differences in the volume of the structure were found either between congenitally blind (CB) and matched sighted controls or between late blind (LB) and matched sighted controls. Moreover, contrary to what was expected, no significant correlation was found between caudate volume and performance in a spatial navigation task. Finally, consistent with previously published reports, the volume of the caudate nucleus was found to be negatively correlated with age in the sighted; however such correlations were not significant in the blind groups. CONCLUSION: Although there were no group differences, the absence of an age-volume correlation in the blind suggests that visual deprivation may still have an effect on the developmental changes that occur in the caudate nucleus.

Detection of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses in wild ducks from Canada: comparison of two sampling methods.

Surveillance for avian influenza viruses in wild birds was initiated in Canada in 2005. In 2006, in order to maximize detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, the sampling protocol used in Canada's Inter-agency Wild Bird Influenza Survey was changed. Instead of collecting a single cloacal swab, as previously done in 2005, cloacal and oropharyngeal swabs were combined in a single vial at collection. In order to compare the two sampling methods, duplicate samples were collected from 798 wild dabbling ducks (tribe Anatini) in Canada between 24 July and 7 September 2006. Low pathogenic avian influenza viruses were detected significantly more often (P<0.0001) in combined oropharyngeal and cloacal samples (261/798, 33%) than in cloacal swabs alone (205/798, 26%). Compared to traditional single cloacal samples, combined samples improved virus detection at minimal additional cost.

Brain structure changes visualized in early- and late-onset blind subjects.

We examined 3D patterns of volume differences in the brain associated with blindness, in subjects grouped according to early and late onset. Using tensor-based morphometry, we mapped volume reductions and gains in 16 early-onset (EB) and 16 late-onset (LB) blind adults (onset <5 and >14 years old, respectively) relative to 16 matched sighted controls. Each subject's structural MRI was fluidly registered to a common template. Anatomical differences between groups were mapped based on statistical analysis of the resulting deformation fields revealing profound deficits in primary and secondary visual cortices for both blind groups. Regions outside the occipital lobe showed significant hypertrophy, suggesting widespread compensatory adaptations. EBs but not LBs showed deficits in the splenium and the isthmus. Gains in the non-occipital white matter were more widespread in the EBs. These differences may reflect regional alterations in late neurodevelopmental processes, such as myelination, that continue into adulthood.

Models of normal variation and local contrasts in hippocampal anatomy.

We develop a model of continuous spherical shapes and use it to analyze the anatomy of the hippocampus. To account for the geometry of bends and folds, the model relies on a geodesic metric that is sensitive to first-order deformations. We construct an atlas of the hippocampus as a mean shape and develop statistical models to characterize quantitative and qualitative normal shape variation. We also develop a localization tool to identify local contrasts in the anatomy of different populations. The tool is applied to the detection, characterization and visualization of anatomical differences such as local enlargement and gains in volume on the right hippocampus of blind subjects.

Wayfinding in the blind: larger hippocampal volume and supranormal spatial navigation.

In the absence of visual input, the question arises as to how complex spatial abilities develop and how the brain adapts to the absence of this modality. We explored navigational skills in both early and late blind individuals and structural differences in the hippocampus, a brain region well known to be involved in spatial processing. Thirty-eight participants were divided into three groups: early blind individuals (n = 12; loss of vision before 5 years of age; mean age 33.8 years), late blind individuals (n = 7; loss of vision after 14 years of age; mean age 39.9 years) and 19 sighted, blindfolded matched controls. Subjects undertook route learning and pointing tasks in a maze and a spatial layout task. Anatomical data was collected by MRI. Remarkably, we not only show that blind individuals possess superior navigational skills than controls on the route learning task, but we also show for the first time a significant volume increase of the hippocampus in blind individuals [F(1,36) = 6.314; P < or = 0.01; blind: mean = 4237.00 mm(3), SE = 107.53; sighted: mean = 3905.74 mm(3), SE = 76.27], irrespective of whether their blindness was congenital or acquired. Overall, our results shed new light not only on the construction of spatial concepts and the non-necessity of vision for its proper development, but also on the hippocampal plasticity observed in adult blind individuals who have to navigate in this space.

Wild bird influenza survey, Canada, 2005.

Of 4,268 wild ducks sampled in Canada in 2005, real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR detected influenza A matrix protein (M1) gene sequence in 37% and H5 gene sequence in 5%. Mallards accounted for 61% of samples, 73% of M1-positive ducks, and 90% of H5-positive ducks. Ducks hatched in 2005 accounted for 80% of the sample.

[Sensory loss and brain reorganization]. / Perte sensorielle et réorganisation cérébrale.

It is without a doubt that humans are first and foremost visual beings. Even though the other sensory modalities provide us with valuable information, it is vision that generally offers the most reliable and detailed information concerning our immediate surroundings. It is therefore not surprising that nearly a third of the human brain processes, in one way or another, visual information. But what happens when the visual information no longer reaches these brain regions responsible for processing it? Indeed numerous medical conditions such as congenital glaucoma, retinis pigmentosa and retinal detachment, to name a few, can disrupt the visual system and lead to blindness. So, do the brain areas responsible for processing visual stimuli simply shut down and become non-functional? Do they become dead weight and simply stop contributing to cognitive and sensory processes? Current data suggests that this is not the case. Quite the contrary, it would seem that congenitally blind individuals benefit from the recruitment of these areas by other sensory modalities to carry out non-visual tasks. In fact, our laboratory has been studying blindness and its consequences on both the brain and behaviour for many years now. We have shown that blind individuals demonstrate exceptional hearing abilities. This finding holds true for stimuli originating from both near and far space. It also holds true, under certain circumstances, for those who lost their sight later in life, beyond a period generally believed to limit the brain changes following the loss of sight. In the case of the early blind, we have shown their ability to localize sounds is strongly correlated with activity in the occipital cortex (the location of the visual processing), demonstrating that these areas are functionally engaged by the task. Therefore it would seem that the plastic nature of the human brain allows them to make new use of the cerebral areas normally dedicated to visual processing.

Impact of vision on the development of topographical orientation abilities.

The current experiment examined the importance of visual input on the construction of inner spatial representations. Early and late-onset blind and paired control participants performed a tactile spatial orientation task. No significant group differences were observed, indicating that the blind can represent space. More errors, however, were committed by the early blind than by the late blind and sighted individuals in portions of the task that involved mental rotation skills, suggesting a potential facilitating role for vision in the proper development of spatial constructs.

Early- and late-onset blind individuals show supra-normal auditory abilities in far-space.

Blind individuals manifest remarkable abilities in navigating through space despite their lack of vision. They have previously been shown to perform normally or even supra-normally in tasks involving spatial hearing in near space, a region that, however, can be calibrated with sensory-motor feedback. Here we show that blind individuals not only properly map auditory space beyond their peri-personal environment but also demonstrate supra-normal performance when subtle acoustic cues for target location and distance must be used to carry out the task. Moreover, it is generally postulated that such abilities rest in part on cross-modal cortical reorganizations, particularly in the immature brain, where important synaptogenesis is still possible. Nonetheless, we show for the first time that even late-onset blind subjects develop above-normal spatial abilities, suggesting that significant compensation can occur in the adult.

Otitis media in dairy calves: a retrospective study of 15 cases (1987 to 2002).

Epidemiological data, clinical signs, complementary examination findings, antimicrobial treatments, and outcome were reviewed in 15 calves diagnosed with otitis media at the Centre hospitalier universitaire vétérinaire de l'Université de Montréal between 1987 and 2002. Age at presentation ranged from 2 to 18 weeks. A purulent ear discharge and epiphora were seen in 8/12 and 6/15 cases, respectively. Neurological signs observed were head tilt (13), eyelid ptosis (7), paresis/paralysis of the pinna (8), ataxia (2), strabismus (2), and convulsions (1). Concurrent pneumonia was frequently diagnosed (n = 11). A Mycoplasma sp. was the principal pathogen isolated from ear discharge; 6 out of 6 samples submitted were positive for mycoplasma. Tympanic bullae radiographs were considered abnormal in 12 out of 13 cases. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was considered abnormal in 2 out of 5 cases. The antibiotic most commonly used was enrofloxacin (n = 7). Average treatment duration was 19.6 days. Four out of 8 treated animals for which follow-up information was available completely recovered. These results suggest that M. bovis is a major pathogen of otitis media in dairy calves and effective antimicrobial therapy should be of long duration.

Allofustis seminis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel Gram-positive, catalase-negative, rod-shaped bacterium from pig semen.

An unknown Gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium originating from semen of a pig was characterized using phenotypic, molecular chemical and molecular phylogenetic methods. Chemical studies revealed the presence of a directly cross-linked cell wall murein based on L-lysine and a DNA G + C content of 39 mol%. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the unidentified rod-shaped organism formed a hitherto unknown subline related, albeit loosely, to Alkalibacterium olivapovliticus, Alloiococcus otitis, Dolosigranulum pigrum and related organisms, in the low-G + C-content Gram-positive bacteria. However, sequence divergence values of > 11% from these recognized taxa clearly indicated that the novel bacterium represents a separate genus. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic considerations, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium from pig semen be classified as a new genus and species, Allofustis seminis gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is strain 01-570-1(T) (= CCUG 45438(T) = CIP 107425(T)).

Identification of catalase-negative, non-beta-hemolytic, gram-positive cocci isolated from milk samples.

This study was undertaken in an effort to improve the identification scheme of catalase-negative, non-beta-hemolytic, gram-positive cocci isolated from milk samples obtained from cows. First, the sensitivity and specificity of the identification procedure currently in use in our laboratory were compared to the results obtained with API 20 STREP strips which were set as the gold standard. Second, a number of other identification tests, which could contribute to increase the sensitivity and specificity of the identification procedure of these microorganisms, were evaluated and selected. The data have shown that there is a necessity to review the identification procedure. Some modifications are suggested to laboratories doing milk sample analyses. A standardized procedure, using the CAMP test, esculin and sodium hippurate hydrolysis, the presence of the enzymes pyrolidonyl arylaminase and leucine aminopeptidase, and acid production from 1% inulin and raffinose broth, would not only improve the results of the identification process of gram-positive cocci isolated from milk samples but also ensure greater uniformity of the epidemiological data.

Bacterial contamination of colostrum fed to newborn calves in Québec dairy herds.

A convenience sample of 234 colostral specimens, collected directly from the nursing bottle immediately prior to the first feeding, was studied. Samples originated from 6 farms and were collected over 24 months. Routine bacteriologic techniques were used to quantify the bacterial load of the colostrum, as well as to identify the bacteria. Overall, at least 1 microorganism was cultured from 221 colostral samples (94.4%). By using the upper tolerance level of 100,000 bacteria/mL, 84 samples (35.9%) were considered contaminated. Staphylococcus spp. (57.7%), gram-negative rods (47.9%), coliforms (44.0%), and Streptococcus uberis (20.5%) were among the most frequently isolated bacteria. The relative risk (RR) of contamination with more than 100,000 bacteria/mL was significantly greater in warm months [RR = 2.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.63 to 4.02] than in cool months and in colostrum offered to male calves (RR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.09 to 2.20). Bacterial load was also associated with the farm of origin (P < 0.0001). When assessing colostrum management, one should consider bacterial contamination. Multiple factors are likely associated with the degree of contamination, and farm-specific factors may be important. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of bacterial contamination of colostrum on neonatal health.