The pattern over time was captured by fitting a log-regression mo

The pattern over time was captured by fitting a log-regression model. The prevalence of HIV infection ranged from 12% in 1999 to 49% in 2008. find more The HIV incidence increased from approximately 3.5 cases per 100 person-years in 2001 to 14 per 100 person-years in 2004, with stabilization

thereafter to levels of around 12 cases per 100 person-years. The incidence estimates were comparable for the two methods used. These findings indicate an increase in the prevalence and incidence of HIV infection among women of reproductive age over the 9 years of the analysis, with a plateau in the incidence of infection since 2005. However, the very high figures for both prevalence and incidence highlight the importance of the continuation of the prevention and treatment programmes that already exist, and suggest that implementation of preventive measures is needed in this area. Monitoring of HIV incidence in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa is important for understanding the dynamics of the HIV epidemic and for targeting and evaluating

HIV preventive interventions. Most HIV surveillance systems in sub-Saharan Africa rely on prevalence data obtained for pregnant women attending routine antenatal clinics (ANCs). This source of information may not accurately reflect HIV incidence trends. While prevalence data are easy to obtain by conducting ad hoc anonymous serological surveys or as secondary results from other studies, direct measurement of incidence can be logistically complex, expensive and time-consuming. Y-27632 manufacturer HIV incidence can be assessed using several methods, including follow-up of HIV-negative subjects in longitudinal studies, laboratory-based incidence testing differentiating recent and long-standing HIV Urease infections, and estimations based on serial prevalence surveys [1–6]. Several approaches have been developed to estimate HIV incidence

from prevalence data: for example, using serial prevalence data obtained from a single source such as the ANC [6], using age-specific prevalence data from one or several surveys combined with mortality rates [4], and using changes in the overall prevalence over time [3]. Some models incorporate mortality or survival models to estimate incidence from several prevalence surveys [1,5,7]. Recently, Hallett et al. validated such a method of estimation of HIV incidence from prevalence data from Zimbabwe by comparing derived incidence estimates with actual measurements [1]. The advantage of this method with respect to longitudinal incidence estimates is that prevalence data are more accessible and easier to obtain. Incidence estimates can then be used to identify and quantify changes in the epidemic earlier and more accurately than when relying only on prevalence data. Mozambique is ranked as having the tenth highest HIV prevalence in the world.

aureus virulence in silkworms The LD50 values of the hla-disrupt

aureus virulence in silkworms. The LD50 values of the hla-disrupted mutant, hlb-disrupted mutant, hla/hlb double-disrupted mutant, psmα-deleted mutant and psmβ-deleted mutant were similar to those of the Selleck Antiinfection Compound Library parent strain (Table 4). Thus, hla, hlb, psmα and psmβ encoding hemolysins do not contribute to S. aureus virulence in silkworms. In contrast, the LD50 of the agr mutant was 2.5-fold higher than that of the parent strain (Table 4). This confirms previous findings that the agr locus

contributes to S. aureus virulence in silkworms, and suggests that the agr locus functions in silkworms via hla-, hlb-, psmα- and psmβ-independent pathways. Staphylococcus aureus possesses 16 two-component regulatory systems (Cheung et al., 2004). Among them, arlRS and saeRS broadly regulate the expression of virulence genes (Fournier et al., 2001; Liang et al., 2005, 2006). The arlRS-deleted mutant exhibited attenuated virulence in a mouse systemic infection model (Benton et al., 2004). The saeRS-deleted mutant showed attenuated virulence in a mouse pyelonephritis infection model (Liang et al., 2006). We examined whether the arlS Selleck Forskolin and saeS genes of S. aureus contribute to virulence against silkworms. The LD50 values of the arlS- and saeS-disrupted mutants were 2.7- and 1.8-fold higher than

that of the parent strain, respectively (Table 4). This indicates that arlS and saeS contribute to virulence of S. aureus against silkworms. Cell-wall-anchored proteins of S. aureus are reported to contribute to virulence by facilitating bacterial attachment to host tissues or escape from immune systems (Foster 4-Aminobutyrate aminotransferase & Hook, 1998). Sortase A is required for anchoring of various proteins to the cell wall (Mazmanian et al., 1999). A gene-disrupted mutant of srtA encoding sortase A had attenuated virulence in mouse infection models (Table 3) (Jonsson et al., 2002, 2003; Weiss et al., 2004). We tested whether the srtA-disrupted mutant showed decreased virulence in silkworms.

The LD50 of the srtA-disrupted mutant was 3.1-fold higher than that of the parent strain (Table 4). This suggests that the anchoring of cell-wall proteins by sortase A is required for S. aureus virulence in silkworms. Mouse pneumonia (Bubeck Wardenburg et al., 2007) Rabbit corneal infection (O’Callaghan et al., 1997) psmα1 psmα2 psmα3 psmα4 PSMα1, PSMα2, PSMα3, PSMα4 Mouse systemic infection (Wang et al., 2007) Mouse skin infection (Wang et al., 2007) psmβ1 psmβ2 PSMβ1, SMβ2 AgrA, AgrB, AgrC, AgrD, RNAIII SA1842 SA1843 SA1844 Mouse pneumonia (Heyer et al., 2002) Rabbit corneal infection (O’Callaghan et al., 1997) Silkworm (Kaito et al., 2005) C. elegans (Sifri et al., 2003) Manduca sexta (Fleming et al., 2006) NA in Drosophila (Needham et al., 2004) SA1246 SA1247 SA1248 SA0660 SA0661 C. elegans (Bae et al.

12/100 pyr; 95% CI 2273–7805/100 pyr)

12/100 pyr; 95% CI 22.73–78.05/100 pyr) BMN-673 and 350–499 cells/μL (41.12/100 pyr; 95% CI 30.44–55.55/100 pyr). Similarly, the incidence of bacterial infections (including pneumonia) also varied by whether an individual was on ART, and the time on ART. Among HIV seroconverters not on ART, the overall incidence was 8.61/100 pyr (95% CI 6.95–10.67/100 pyr) from 1990 to 2008. In comparison, the incidence was significantly higher among individuals on ART for <12 months (17.66/100 pyr; 95% CI 9.84–31.68/100 pyr; adjusted HR 2.05; 95% CI 1.13–3.71), and slightly lower among those on ART for 12 months or longer (8.11/100 pyr; 95% CI 4.24–15.48/100 pyr; adjusted HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.49–1.81). The incidence

rate of any WHO stage-defining disease among HIV seroconverters was 14.39/100 pyr (95% CI 11.14–18.58/100 pyr) in 1990–1998, and increased to 45.97/100 pyr (95% CI 37.71–56.04/100 pyr) in 1999–2003. The

incidence then declined to 36.42/100 pyr (95% CI 27.14–48.86/100 pyr) in 2004–2005 (the period soon after ART introduction) and 28.29/100 pyr in 2006–2008 (the later period after ART introduction). The reduction in incidence after the introduction of ART persisted after adjustment for confounders, with a significant reduction in incidence in the later period after ART introduction (adjusted HR 0.59; 95% CI 0.39–0.89, compared with 1990–1998; Table 4). Further adjustment for an individual’s ART status attenuated selleck screening library the reduction in incidence rates by calendar time (adjusted

HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.46–1.13, comparing 2006–2008 with 1990–1998), and the decreased incidence among those individuals on ART for longer than 12 months persisted (adjusted HR 0.35; 95% CI 0.20–0.61, compared with those not on ART). In this population of HIV seroconverters, the incidence of any WHO stage-defining disease was substantially lower following ART introduction (2004–2008) compared with the period before ART (1990–2003), and was lowest in the later period (2006–2008). Our analyses suggest Chloroambucil that some of the decline in incidence rates could be attributable to being on ART rather than population-level availability. The overall decline in morbidity following the introduction of ART is similar to that seen in developed countries [15–17]. The incidence rate of having any WHO stage-defining disease in seroconverters increased over time before ART introduction (1990–2003). This is probably attributable to increasing immunosuppression with duration of HIV infection. Previous studies in industrialized settings corroborate this decline in incidence rates after the introduction of ART, although those studies involved prevalent HIV-infected patients and adjusted for CD4 cell count at the time of recruitment [15–17], rather than duration of HIV infection, as we have done in this study. Although incidence rates declined after the introduction of ART, the rate observed during the latest period analysed was twice that in the earliest period analysed.

AIDS 2005; 19: 907–915 15  Peters MG, Andersen J, Lynch P et al

AIDS 2005; 19: 907–915. 15  Peters MG, Andersen J, Lynch P et al. Randomized controlled study of tenofovir and adefovir in chronic hepatitis B virus and HIV infection: ACTG A5127. Hepatology 2006; 44: 1110–1116. 16  Hafkin J, Osborn M, Kostman J et al. Incidence and risk factors for incomplete HBV suppression among tenofovir-treated HIV/HBV co-infected patients. 19th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. Seattle, WA. March 2012 [Abstract 796]. 17  Lada O, Gervais A, Branger M et al. Long-term outcome Ipatasertib of primary non-responders to tenofovir therapy in HIV/HBV-co-infected patients: impact of HBV genotype G. Liver Int 2012; 32: 93–101. 18  Snow-Lampart A, Chappell B, Curtis

M et al. No resistance to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate detected after up to 144 weeks of therapy in patients monoinfected Gefitinib supplier with chronic hepatitis B virus. Hepatology 2011; 53: 763–773. 19  Kosi L, Reiberger T, Payer BA et al. Five-year on-treatment efficacy of lamivudine-, tenofovir- and tenofovir + emtricitabine-based HAART in HBV-HIV-coinfected patients. J Viral Hepat 2012; 19: 801–810. 20  Zoutendijk R, Zaaijer HL, de Vries-Sluijs TE et al. Hepatitis B surface antigen declines and clearance during long-term tenofovir therapy in patients coinfected with HBV and HIV. J Infect Dis 2012; 206: 974–980. 21  Nunez M, Ramos B, Diaz-Pollan B et al. Virological outcome of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in HIV-coinfected patients receiving anti-HBV active

antiretroviral therapy. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2006; 22: 842–848. 22  Thio CL. Hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection. Hepatology 2009; 49: S138–S145. 23  Nikolopoulo GK, Paraskevis D, Hatzitheodorou E et al. Impact of hepatitis

B virus infection on the progression of AIDS and mortality in HIV-infected individuals: a cohort study and meta-analysis. Clin Infect Dis 2009; 48: 1763–1771. 24  Chun HM, Roediger MP, Hullsiek KH et al. Hepatitis B virus coinfection Ribose-5-phosphate isomerase negatively impacts HIV outcomes in HIV seroconverters. J Infect Dis 2012; 205: 185–193. 25  Falade-Nwulia O, Seaberg E, Rinaldo C et al. Comparative risk of liver-related mortality from chronic hepatitis B versus chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Clin Infect Dis 2012; 55: 507–513. 26  Puoti M, Spinetti A, Ghezzi A et al. Mortality for liver disease in patients with HIV infection: a cohort study. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2000; 24: 211–217. 27  Chen G, Wenyao L, Shen F, Iloeje UH, London WT, Evans AA. Past HBV viral load as predictor of mortality and morbidity from HCC and chronic liver disease in a prospective study. Am J Gastroenterol 2006; 101: 1797–1803. 28  Thio CL, Seaberg EC, Skolasky R Jr et al. HIV-1, hepatitis B virus, and risk of liver-related mortality in the Multicenter Cohort Study (MACS). Lancet 2002; 360(9349): 1921–1926. 29  Clifford GM, Rickenbach M, Polesel J et al. Influence of HIV-related immunodeficiency on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. AIDS 2008; 22: 2135–2141.

In the same issue, a study of short-term

travelers from A

In the same issue, a study of short-term

travelers from Australia to Asia analyzing paired pre-travel and post-travel sera showed a much lower incidence of 2.19 new hepatitis B learn more infections per 10,000 travel days.[2] This is in agreement with a recent study of Danish travelers where the monthly incidence of HBV was estimated to be 10.2 per 100,000.[3] Multiple factors, including HBV prevalence in the destination country, visiting friends and relatives (VFR) status, risk activities, or medical care during travel, all impact risk of HBV acquisition.[1] These at-risk travelers should be offered hepatitis B vaccination. Pre-travel consultation is also an opportunity to identify previously undiagnosed HBV infection in travelers known to be at risk of HBV infection as underlined in one article published in the 20.1 issue of the Journal. The authors evaluated the behavior of travel medicine practitioners in Boston, MA, as it relates to screening NVP-LDE225 supplier travelers for hepatitis B.[4] In this study, provider behavior in relation to testing for HBV as well as characteristics of those tested and immunized for HBV were analyzed over a 25-month period: 16% of patients were born in HBV-risk countries, only 25% had previous HBV test results at their travel clinic appointment and 11% had tests performed at their travel clinic visit. Among

230 travelers tested during their travel clinic visit, 3.3% were HBV infected (HBsAg-positive), 43.6% immune (anti-HBs-positive), and 59.2% susceptible by serologic testing. The US National Health and Nutrition Survey data from 1999 to 2006 showed an overall

prevalence rate in the United States for chronic HBV infection of 0.27%,[5] indicating that in this group of US travel clinics in Boston, patients are more likely to be travelers at higher previous risk of HBV infection. Travel clinics that see a larger proportion of VFR travelers may be predicted to have similar results. The results of these studies offer some hope Palbociclib price for progress in reducing hepatitis B infection and its long-term sequelae, and also reveal that there is significant room for improvement in our educational and clinical practices. Carriers are under diagnosed in the United States.[6] In addition, it is estimated that only 4% to 5% of chronically HBV-infected patients are screened, enter a health system, and obtain treatment.[6] In 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidelines recommending HBV screening for all persons born in geographic regions with an HBsAg prevalence of >2% (many of whom are VFR or last-minute travelers), all US-born persons who were unvaccinated as infants and whose parents were born in regions of high HBV endemicity (≥8% HBsAg prevalence), and individuals with parenteral risk factors.

A total of 64% of providers chose not to use antibiotics in this

A total of 64% of providers chose not to use antibiotics in this scenario. In the scenario for moderate diarrhea with some activity limitations, antibiotics were only the third most common choice for providers. The two

most popular treatment choices in this scenario were IV fluids (16%) and oral hydration (11%) only, with 10% of providers recommending ciprofloxacin as appropriate therapy. For the scenario describing severe inflammatory TD, the most frequent response that providers chose was an antibiotic (ciprofloxacin 25%). However, 19% of providers felt that this scenario was best treated with hydration only (11% IV and 8% oral hydration). Many providers also chose Torin 1 research buy to treat dysentery with fluids only (19% oral and 6% IV) while 14% of providers chose to use

an antimotility agent either alone or in combination with other medications as a treatment option in this scenario. Over half (53%) of providers selected the antibiotic metronidazole for treatment of the scenario describing persistent diarrhea. In the scenario designed to represent the typical case of viral gastroenteritis, 29% of providers stated that they would prescribe antibiotics in management of these individuals. The providers who did not respond to Enzalutamide molecular weight these management of clinical scenarios differed from those who responded with respect to current country of assignment. Nonresponders were more likely to be currently assigned in Europe (47% vs 13%; p = 0.01), and less likely to have been currently stationed in CONUS (7% vs 34%; Fisher’s exact, p = 0.01). Providers were scored in each scenario based on whether they correctly identified the appropriate medications or combination of medications. The means of total scores for all scenarios are plotted by select provider characteristics in Figure 1. Based on a total possible score, range from −23 to 20, the overall average total score was 7.8 (SD 4.6) and ranged from −4 to 17. Average total scores were highest for physicians (MD/DO) (mean 8.7, SD 4.2), followed

by physician assistants (mean 6.6, SD 5.7), with registered nurses and independent duty corpsmen averaging 3.4 (SD Florfenicol 4.4) and 4.0 (SD 3.6), respectively (ANOVA p = 0.003, df = 3). There were no other provider characteristics that differentiated average total scores that reached statistical significance, however, among MD/DO providers, primary care, operational medicine, preventive medicine, OB/Gyn, and emergency room physician scored higher than the overall provider population average. Air Force providers and those based in Turkey scored relatively well, as did those who reported not currently being in practice. Providers who reported recent TD training did not score significantly higher than those who had not received any training (Student’s t-test, p > 0.29).

0009) (Fig 3a and b) Although it was not the focus of the study

0009) (Fig. 3a and b). Although it was not the focus of the study, differences in bacterial community structures between the two sampling locations were examined to

determine if the T-RFLP method is able to detect differences among bacterial Midostaurin cell line assemblages that are assumed to be due to differences in water quality. A PCA clearly separated the bacterial assemblages between the two locations and the two sampling times (Fig. 4). Replicates from each location were more variable during summer than winter, and more variable offshore than inshore (Fig. 4). This result was confirmed using anosim, which revealed significant differences between locations (R = 0.544, P = 0.0177) and sampling times (R = 0.299, P < 0.0001). The length of the species-vectors in the PCA biplot and a SIMPER analysis consistently indicated that T-RFs representing the Roseobacter clade (Roseobacter and Silicibacter), Erythrobacter, Hyphomonas, Gammaproteobacteria and diatom plastids contributed mostly to the dissimilarities (54.9%) between substrates at different seasons and locations (Fig. 1) and between locations and sampling times despite substrate type (Fig. 4). Overall, 37 T-RFs were identified, of which, 89.2% could be assigned to clones that were taxonomically identified from the clone libraries (within ±0.5 bp) (Supporting Information Table S1), and thus could be assigned

to a bacterial taxon. All T-RFs detected were Selleck Tamoxifen present in the glass slide profiles. T-RFLP, cloning and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes revealed that coral reef-associated biofilms comprised of complex bacterial Oxymatrine and microalgal communities. Relatively

similar, although not always identical bacterial community structures were present on different substrate types over two sampling times (during a summer and a winter). Bacterial community composition on reef sediments differed significantly from the other substrate types at the inshore location that was influenced by pronounced changes in water quality during different seasons. Reef sediments also showed the largest variability in bacterial community composition among all investigated substrates. This suggests that reef sediments may have low reproducibility and is therefore not suitable for bioindicator studies in coral reefs in comparison to other more ideal substrates. Relatively variable bacterial community compositions were also identified on ceramic tiles in comparison to the other substrates during winter, suggesting that ceramic tiles are also not ideal substrates for bacterial biofilm bioindicator studies. In contrast, glass slides and coral skeletons substrates produced comparably stable and highly reproducible community compositions independent of sampling time and/or location. Another aspect of substrate choice is the practical requirement for a simple method for the removal of total and/or near complete biofilm biomass from the actual substrate.

The use of intravenous zidovudine is suggested for women taking z

The use of intravenous zidovudine is suggested for women taking zidovudine monotherapy as per Recommendation 5.3.4. The use of intravenous zidovudine for women on HAART with a VL between 50 and 10 000 HIV RNA copies/mL can be considered regardless of mode of delivery.

However, continued oral dosing of their current regimen is a reasonable alternative. The effectiveness of zidovudine monotherapy in preventing MTCT was first demonstrated selleck screening library in the ACTG 076 RCT of non-breastfeeding women in which zidovudine was initiated orally before the third trimester, given intravenously during labour and delivery, and orally to the neonate for the first 6 weeks of life, reducing MTCT by 67% [8]. Intravenous zidovudine has therefore been included in the management of all women treated with zidovudine monotherapy. However, the data on the contribution of intravenous zidovudine are poor. In a prospective study DMXAA of all women prescribed zidovudine monotherapy during pregnancy before the publication of the ACTG 076 findings (1988–1994) in which the 8.8% transmission rate among women with CD4 cell counts >200 cells/μL is similar to that of the zidovudine monotherapy arm of ACTG 076 (8.3%), intrapartum intravenous zidovudine

was not associated with lower rates of transmission [51]. One rationale for intrapartum intravenous zidovudine in ACTG 076 was that labour would be associated with poor absorption of oral therapy. While not strictly comparable, the well-recognized rapid absorption of single-dose nevirapine during labour suggests that

the impact of labour on absorption may be overestimated. Pharmacokinetic data from an RCT of oral zidovudine monotherapy heptaminol vs. placebo indicate that adequate (therapeutic) zidovudine concentrations are achieved in cord blood with oral dosing. Although the concentrations are lower than have been reported with intravenous infusion, transmission was not associated with zidovudine cord blood concentration [52]. Intravenous zidovudine has historically been considered for women whose plasma VL has not been completely suppressed at the time of delivery. There is no evidence that the intravenous administration of zidovudine alters the rate of placental transfer but higher maternal plasma levels will be reflected in the cord blood concentrations. Intravenous zidovudine (as part of an intervention package; see Section 5: Use of antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy) has also been recommended for women who present in labour, having not received ART. However, data from the New York State HIV diagnostic service (1995–1997) suggest that intrapartum intravenous zidovudine alone does not significantly reduce transmission (10%; 95% CI 3.3–21.8%), as, provided neonatal prophylaxis is commenced within 48 h of delivery (this being the only intervention accessed), the latter has similar efficacy (9.3%; 95% CI 4.1–17.5%) [10].

, 2010), where we showed marked differences in saccadic vs neck

, 2010), where we showed marked differences in saccadic vs. neck electromyographic (EMG) thresholds depending on the size of the characteristic vector. Given this variability, we opted for a fixed stimulation current, and adopted the level used in our previous SEF work (Chapman et al., 2012). Our general experimental setup has been described previously (Chapman et al., 2012). Briefly, the learn more animals were seated in a primate chair with either the head restrained or unrestrained, facing an array of tri-colored (red, green or orange), equiluminant LEDs. The monkeys were trained

as described previously (Chapman & Corneil, 2011) to generate a pro-saccade or an anti-saccade to a peripheral cue depending on the color of a central fixation point (FP; Fig. 1A) for a liquid reward delivered through a head-fixed sipper tube. Trials began with the removal of a diffuse, white background light that prevented dark adaptation. A red or a green FP was then presented directly in front of the monkey. The monkey was required to look at the FP within 1000 ms and hold gaze within a computer-controlled window (radius of 2.5°) for 1250 ms. A red stimulus (the peripheral cue) was then presented randomly to the left or the right of the FP. Cue locations

were fixed at either 10, 15 or 20°, with the eccentricity chosen to be the closest match to the horizontal component of the saccade selleck compound evoked with longer-duration SEF stimulation. The monkeys

had 1000 ms to either look toward (if the FP was red) or away (if the FP was green) from the cue, and fixate for a subsequent 600 ms. The radius of acceptance windows around the correct goal location was 40% of cue eccentricity, to allow for the inaccuracy of anti-saccades in the dark. On anti-saccade trials, an additional green stimulus was illuminated at the correct goal location 300 ms after the correct anti-saccade as reinforcement. A 1000-ms inter-trial interval was provided between each trial. These behavioral constraints were identical for trials with or without ICMS-SEF. Pro- and anti-saccade trials were presented with equal probability with replacement Amobarbital for incorrectly performed trials (i.e. trials where the monkeys did not obtain a reward). Short-duration ICMS-SEF was delivered on two-thirds of all trials, with the other trials designated as control trials. On a given stimulation trial, ICMS-SEF was delivered at a single time-point relative to cue presentation (−1150, −817, −483, −150, 10, 43, 77 or 110 ms, with negative numbers meaning that stimulation preceded cue presentation; Fig. 1A). We define the time preceding cue presentation as the fixation interval, and the time after cue presentation as the post-cue interval.

Exposed brain

was initially sampled at low resolution (51

Exposed brain

was initially sampled at low resolution (512 × 512 pixels, 620 × 620 μm field of view (FOV), 5 μm slices) to identify YFP-labeled cells. Labeled cells were then imaged at high resolution (1024 × 1024 pixels, 155 × 155 μm FOV, or 2048 × 2048 pixels, 310 × 310 μm FOV), with 0.5–1 μm optical slices. Individual dendrites were reimaged 7 and 14 days later. Images were processed for denoising using a novel polynomial interpolation method (Torskey and Smirnakis, in preparation). Dendrites and dendritic spines were quantified and reconstructed in three dimensions using Neurolucida software (MBF Biosciences). A key step in successful P0 intraventricular injection is to precisely target the lateral ventricles with minimal damage to the brain. We have explored a number of different injections, leading us to attain two independent coordinates AZD1208 for intraventricular virus infusion in neonatal mouse. Targeting of the lateral ventricles was accomplished by inserting the injection needle freehand perpendicular

to the skull surface and penetrating 3 mm deep. One of the sites was located two-fifths of the distance along an imaginary selleck products line between the lambda and eye; the other was located 1 mm lateral to the sagittal suture midway between the lambda and bregma (Figs 1A and B). To develop accuracy with the technique, a dye solution can be injected in place of virus and the brain harvested immediately to examine localisation and spread. Following correctly targeted injections, dye will be visible throughout the continuous ventricular chambers spanning the brain from the olfactory Tacrolimus (FK506) bulb to the cerebellum. Cross-section of the brain at the level of the rostral striatum should reveal dye restricted to the ventricles, but within these chambers it fills the entire space. Within a few practice sessions, the lateral ventricles can be reliably targeted by freehand injection (Fig. 1D). The other requirement for the successful use of intracranial injection is good survival with minimal injury. We used small-bore injection needles designed to balance

the potential for tissue damage against the possibility of needle clogging; we opted for 32 gauge needles with small neonates such as B6 and 30 gauge with larger strains such as ICR. After injection, ICR pups were returned to their mothers, whereas B6 pups were fostered to ICR females because we found B6 mothers less likely to accept and nurse the pups after being removed from the nest and handled. These approaches yielded survival rates above 95% with consistent transduction patterns and no evidence of tissue damage. We examined the distribution of viral transduction using native fluorescence from recombinant AAV8 encoding eYFP or tdTomato injected into the cerebral lateral ventricles 3–4 weeks before harvest.