Digital Commons Network^™

A Priori Prediction Of Disease Invasion Dynamics In A Novel Environment, Colin A. Russell, David L. Smith, Lance A. Waller, James E. Childs, Leslie A. Real

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Directly transmitted infectious diseases spread through wildlife populations as travelling waves away from the sites of original introduction. These waves often become distorted through their interaction with environmental and population heterogeneities and by long-distance translocation of infected individuals. Accurate a priori predictions of travelling waves of infection depend upon understanding and quantifying these distorting factors. We assess the effects of anisotropies arising from the orientation of rivers in relation to the direction of disease-front propagation and the damming effect of mountains on disease movement in natural populations. The model successfully predicts the local and large-scale prevaccination spread of raccoon rabies …

The Ascendancy Of Amblyomma Americanum As A Vector Of Pathogens Affecting Humans In The United States, James E. Childs, Christopher D. Paddock

United States Public Health Resources

Until the 1990s, Amblyomma americanum was regarded primarily as a nuisance species, but a tick of minor importance as a vector of zoonotic pathogens affecting humans. With the recent discoveries of Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, and “Borrelia lonestari,” the public health relevance of lone star ticks is no longer in question. During the next 25 years, the number of cases of human disease caused by A. americanum-associated pathogens will probably increase. Based on current trajectories and historic precedents, the increase will be primarily driven by biological and environmental factors that alter the geographic distribution and intensity of …

A Preliminary Linkage Map Of The Hard Tick, Ixodes Scapularis, A. J. Ullmann, J. Piesman, M. C. Dolan, W. C. Black Iv

United States Public Health Resources

Blackwell Publishing Ltd. A linkage map of the Ixodes scapularis genome was constructed, based upon segregation amongst 127 loci. These included 84 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, 32 Sequence-Tagged RAPD (STAR) markers, 5 cDNAs, and 5 microsatellites in 232 F₁ intercross progeny from a single, field-collected P₁ female. A preliminary linkage map of 616 cM was generated across 14 linkage groups with one marker every 10.8 cM. Assuming a genome size of ~ 10 ⁹ bp, the relationship of physical to genetic distance was found to be ~ 300 kb/cM in the I. scapularis genome.

Absence Of Interferon-Γ–Inducible Gene Igtp Does Not Significantly Alter The Development Of Chagasic Cardiomyopathy In Mice Infected With Trypanosoma Cruzi (Brazil Strain), A. P. De Souza, B. Tang, H. B. Tanowitz, S. M. Factor, V. Shtutin, J. Shirani, G. A. Taylor, L. M. Weiss, L. A. Jelicks

United States Public Health Resources

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) contributes to host resistance during acute infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas’ disease. Inducibly expressed guanosine triphosphatase (IGTP), a 48-kDa guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase), is a member of a family of GTPase proteins inducibly expressed by IFN-γ. The expression pattern of IGTP suggests that it may mediate IFN-γ–induced responses in a variety of cell types. IGTP has been demonstrated to be important for control of Toxoplasma gondii infection but not for resistance against Listeria monocytogenes. We evaluated the role of IGTP in development of chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy in IGTP null mice and C57X129sv (wild …

Estimated Risk Of Transmission Of The West Nile Virus Through Blood Transfusion In The Us, 2002, Brad J. Biggerstaff, Lyle R. Petersen

United States Public Health Resources

BACKGROUND: The West Nile virus (WNV) epidemic in 2002 in the US saw over 3300 reported human cases of WNV disease, with over 2300 reported cases of WNV encephalitis and meningitis. The first documented cases of transfusion transmission of WNV through voluntary blood donation also occurred.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Case onset dates from the 2002 WNV epidemic in the US were used to estimate the risk of transfusion-associated transmission with statistical resampling. An easily computed approximating formula for the mean risk was derived. Estimates were computed for six high-incidence states and metropolitan areas.

RESULTS: Mean and …

Prevalence Of Chronic Wasting Disease And Bovine Tuberculosis In Free-Ranging Deer And Elk In South Dakota, Christopher N. Jacques, Jonathan A. Jenks, Allen L. Jenny, Steven L. Griffin

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

Heads of hunter-harvested deer and elk were collected throughout South Dakota (USA) and within established chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance areas from 1997–2002 to determine infection with CWD and bovine tuberculosis (TB). We used immunohistochemistry to detect CWD-infected individuals among 1,672 deer and elk sampled via geographically targeted surveillance. A total of 537 elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), 813 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and 322 mule deer (O. hemionus) was sampled for CWD. Estimated overall prevalence and associated confidence intervals (95%) in white-tailed deer was 0.001% (0–0.007%). Similarly, estimated overall prevalence in elk and mule …

Mycobacterial Diseases In Wildlife, Gary Witmer, Thomas J. Deliberto, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Peter Butchko

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

Mycobacterium infections occur in numerous wildlife species worldwide and this bacterial genus can also cause disease in humans and livestock. Two Mycobacterium species and one subspecies that infect wildlife are important from a wildlife damage management perspective. Mycobacterium avium, avian tuberculosis, is a ubiquitous and cosmopolitan disease of wild and domestic birds. Wild and domestic ruminants are host to M. avium paratuberculosis, also known as Johne’s disease. Finally, Mycobaterium bovis, bovine tuberculosis, is primarily associated with domestic and wild bovines and ungulates, but also infects many other species of mammals. Eradicating these diseases from wildlife populations is …

Mycobacterial Diseases In Wildlife, Gary W. Witmer, Thomas J. Deliberto, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Peter Butchko

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

Mycobacterium infections occur in numerous wildlife species worldwide and this bacterial genus can also cause disease in humans and livestock. Two Mycobacterium species and one subspecies that infect wildlife are important from a wildlife damage management perspective. Mycobacterium avium, avian tuberculosis, is a ubiquitous and cosmopolitan disease of wild and domestic birds. Wild and domestic ruminants are host to M. avium paratuberculosis, also known as Johne’s disease. Finally, Mycobaterium bovis, bovine tuberculosis, is primarily associated with domestic and wild bovines and ungulates, but also infects many other species of mammals. Eradicating these diseases from wildlife populations is …

Aids, Orphans, And Development In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review Of The Dilemma Of Public Health And Development, Joe Lugalla

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

HIV/AIDS is having devastating consequences on families, young children, and other vulnerable social groups. In this paper, I review the impact of HIV/AIDS on families and development in sub-Saharan Africa. I begin by showing the magnitude of the problem and the factors that have led to rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in this sub-continent. I discuss gender inequality, poverty, social inequality, and globalization, and show how these facilitate the rapid spread of the epidemic. I show how AIDS is creating a mass of orphans on the one hand, and how it is impacting development and creating new public health contradictions on …

Age, Temperature, And Parasitaemia Predict Chloroquine Treatment Failure And Anaemia In Children With Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria, D.H. Hamer, W.B. Macleod, E. Addo-Yobo, C.P Duggan, B. Estrella, W.W. Fawzi, J.K. Konde-Lule, V. Mwanakasale, Zul Premji, F. Sempertegui, F.P. Ssengooba, K. Yeboah-Antwi, J.L. Simon

Pathology, East Africa

The prevalence of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria has been increasing in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America over the last 2 decades, and has been associated with increased anaemia-associated morbidity and higher mortality rates. Prospectively collected clinical and parasitological data from a multicentre study of 788 children aged 6-59 months with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were analysed in order to identify risk factors for chloroquine treatment failure and to assess its impact on anaemia after therapy. The proportion of chloroquine treatment failures (combined early and late treatment failures) was higher in the central-eastern African countries (Tanzania, 53%; Uganda, 80%; …

Isovolumetric Regulation In Mammal Cells: Role Of Taurine, B. Ordaz, R. Franco, National University Of Mexico Tuz

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The ability to regulate cell volume is an ancient conserved trait present in essentially all species through evolution. The maintenance of a constant cell volume is a homeostatic imperative in animal cells. Changes in cell water content affecting the concentration of intracellular messenger molecules impair the complex signaling network, crucial for cell functioning and intercellular communication. Although the renal homeostatic mechanisms exert a precise control of extracellular fluid osmolarity, this is challenged in a variety of pathological situations. The intracellular volume constancy is continuously compromised by the generation of local and transient osmotic microgradients, associated with nutrients uptake, secretion, cytoskeleton …

Is It 'Too Bloody Late'? : Older People's Attitudes To Physical Activity And To The Recommendations In The National Physical Activity Guidelines, Joan Jackson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Participation in physical activity confers many health benefits by reducing the risk factor for a number of lifestyle related diseases such as diabetes, colon cancer, and heart disease. Other benefits include improved mental and physical well-being. For older people the benefits are even more important; engagement in physical activity extends to such health benefits as reduction in the risk of falls and related potential injuries. However the most significant benefit to older people is that physical activity enables older people to live independently for longer and with a greater sense of well-being. This study explores, through qualitative research, older people's …

Population And Development: An Introductory View, Geoffrey Mcnicoll

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

A brief overview of the relationships between population change and economic development, written for readers unfamiliar with the subject. The paper touches on the scale and pace of world development, the economic consequences of population size and rate of growth, patterns of demographic transition, and the scope for policy measures aimed at speeding that transition.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars): The First Pandemic Of The New Century, Murat Akova

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Multiple Infected Cerebral Hydatid Cysts Treated With Albendazole, Mehmet Dumlu Aydin, Mustafa Ertek, Hali̇l Yazgi

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

umlu AYDIN^1, Mustafa ERTEK^2, Halil YAZGI^3 ^1Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum - Turkey ^2Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum - Turkey 3Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum - Turkey

Haemophilus Parainfluenzae Endocarditis, Emi̇ne Alp, Orhan Yildiz, Bi̇lgehan Aygen, Bülent Sümerkan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Relationship Between The Knowledge Of Sexually Transmitted Disease And Sexual Behavior, Kong Chen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Undergraduate college students, despite widespread prevention and education efforts, still engage in sexual behaviors that place them at risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The hypothesis of the study was that higher levels of knowledge of STDs were associated with positive sexual behavior. Thus, sexual behavior, knowledge of STDs, and the relationship between those two aspects among 103 undergraduate students (70 women and 33 men) at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) were examined in the study.

No statistical significance was found in terms of college students' knowledge of STDs and their sexual behavior. This study showed that female students …

Aerosol Exposure Of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) To Mycobacterium Bovis, Mitchell V. Palmer, W. Ray Waters, Diana L. Whipple

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

Tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis affects both captive and free-ranging Cervidae in the United States. Various animal models have been developed to study tuberculosis of both humans and animals. Generally, tuberculosis is transmitted by aerosol and oral routes. Models of aerosol exposure of large animals to M. bovis are uncommon. In order to develop a reliable method of aerosol exposure of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to M. bovis, 12 healthy white-tailed deer, aged 8–10 mo, were infected by aerosol exposure to 2x10⁵ to 1x10⁶ colony forming units (CFU) (high dose, n=4) of M. bovis or …

Feral Swine - Are They A Disease Threat To Livestock In The United States?, Gary W. Witmer, Robert B. Sanders, Arnold C. Taft

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

Feral swine populations provide both benefits and liabilities to citizens of the United States. Their expanding range and increasing densities, however, have raised concern over the adverse environmental and agricultural effects and the increased risk of disease transmission between feral swine and livestock. We discuss the role of feral swine in the transmission of wildlife diseases and, in particular, in diseases of national significance to the livestock industry. We also discuss available management tools and strategies for reducing feral swine populations, minimizing damage or disease occurrences and eradicating populations when deemed appropriate. Finally, we note areas of research that may …

Functional Implications In Apoptosis By Interferon Inducible Gene Product 1-8d, The Binding Protein To Adenovirus Preterminal Protein, Insil Joung, Peter C. Angeletti, Jeffrey A. Engler

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Adenovirus (Ad) precursor to the terminal protein (pTP) plays an essential roles in the viral DNA

replication. Ad pTP serves as a primer for the synthesis of a new DNA strand during the initiation

step of replication. In addition, Ad pTP forms organized spherical replication foci on the nuclear

matrix (NM) and anchors the viral genome to the NM. Here we identified the interferon inducible

gene product 1-8D (Inid) as a pTP binding protein by using a two-hybrid screen of a HeLa cDNA

library. Of the clones obtained in this assay, nine were identical to the Inid, a 13-kDa polypeptide …

Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia Coli In Montana: Bacterial Genotypes And Clinical Profiles, Jill K. Jelacic, Todd Damrow, Gilbert S. Chen, Srdjan Jelacic, Martina Bielaszewska, Marcia Ciol, Humberto M. Carvalho, Angela R. Melton-Celsa, Alison D. O'Brien, Phillip I. Tarr

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

The diseases and virulence genes associated with Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are characterized incompletely. We analyzed, by polymerase chain reaction, 82 STEC isolates collected prospectively in Montana and profiled associated illnesses by patient chart review. All E. coli O157:H7 contained stx₂-group genes, as well as eae, iha, espA, and ehxA; 84% contained stx₁. Non-O157:H7 STEC less frequently contained stx₁( P = .046 ), stx₂ (P < .001), iha (P < .001), eae, and espA (P = .039 for both), were isolated less often from patients treated in emergency departments (P = .022), and …

Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses, Jeffery A. Goad, J Nguyen

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) viruses are diverse and include arenaviruses, bunyaviruses, filoviruses, and flaviviruses. Lassa fever, South American hemorrhagic fever (HF), Rift Valley HF, Crimean-Congo HF, Ebola, Marburg, yellow fever, and dengue fever are well known examples of the hemorrhagic fever viruses. They are often difficult to diagnose and treat resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Transmission varies from vector borne to person-to-person. The common clinical presentation includes fever, myalgia, microvascular damage, and hemorrahage as well as a history of travel to the tropics. If VHF is suspected, strict infection control procedures must be implemented to prevent the spread of …

Risk Factors For Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia Bacteremia In Oncology Patients: A Case-Control Study, Anucha Apisarnthanarak, Jennie L. Mayfield, Teresa Garison, Patricia M. Mclendon, John F. Dipersio, Victoria J. Fraser, Louis B. Polish

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Outlook Magazine, Fall 2003

Outlook Magazine

No abstract provided.

Osmosensitive Taurine Release: Does Taurine Share The Same Efflux Pathway With Chloride And Other Amino Acid Osmolytes?, Rodrigo Franco

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Swelling subsequent to hyposmotic conditions activates a process of volume regulation present in most cell types. This volume adjustment is accomplished by osmolyte translocation toward the extracellular space to reach a new osmotic equilibrium. Molecules involved in this homeostatic mechanism have been broadly classified into two categories: organic and inorganic osmolytes. Inorganic osmolytes comprise mainly the intracellular ions K⁺ and Cl^–. Cell swelling–induced activation of separate K⁺ and Cl^– channels has been described in most preparations. Organic osmolytes are grouped in three categories: amino acids, polyalcohols, and methylamines. These osmolytes, particularly taurine, are present in …

Role Of Activator Protein-1 In The Down-Regulation Of The Human Cyp2j2 Gene In Hypoxia, Nicole Y. Marden, Eva Fiala-Beer, Shi-Hua Xiang, Michael Murray

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2J2 arachidonic acid epoxygenase gene was down-regulated at a pre-translational level in human hepatoma-derived HepG2 cells incubated in a hypoxic environment; under these conditions, the expression of c-Jun and c-Fos mRNA and protein was increased. The 5′-upstream region of the CYP2J2 gene was isolated by amplification of a 2341 bp fragment and putative regulatory elements that resembled activator protein-1 (AP-1)-like sequences were identified. From transient transfection analysis, c-Jun was found to strongly activate a CYP2J2–luciferase reporter construct, but co-transfection with plasmids encoding c-Fos or c-Fos-related antigens, Fra-1 and -2, abrogated reporter activity. Using a series …

Saru, A Sara Homolog, Is Repressed By Sart And Regulates Virulence Genes In Staphylococcus Aureus, Adhar C. Manna, Ambrose L. Cheung

Dartmouth Scholarship

In searching the Staphylococcus aureus genome, we previously identified sarT, a homolog of sarA, which encodes a repressor for alpha-hemolysin synthesis. Adjacent but transcribed divergently to sarT is sarU, which encodes a 247-residue polypeptide, almost twice the length of SarA. Sequence alignment disclosed that SarU, like SarS, which is another SarA homolog, could be envisioned as a molecule with two halves, with each half being homologous to SarA. SarU, as a member of the SarA family proteins, disclosed conservation of basic residues within the helix-turn-helix motif and within the beta hairpin loop, two putative DNA binding domains within this protein …

Antipyretic, Parasitologic, And Immunologic Effects Of Combining Sulfadoxine/Pyrimethamine With Chloroquine Or Paracetamol For Treating Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria, E. Hugosson, D. Tarimo, M. Troye-Blomberg, S.M. Montgomery, Zul Premji, A. Bjorkman

Pathology, East Africa

Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) is increasingly used against malaria in sub-Saharan Africa because of chloroquine resistance. However, chloroquine may have a beneficial antipyretic effect. We therefore compared the combination of SP plus chloroquine, chloroquine alone, SP alone, and SP plus paracetamol in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in 175 Tanzanian children (1-4 years old) in a randomized trial. Outcome variables were axillary temperatures every six hours, daily parasitemias, and serum levels of IgG antibodies to P. falciparum. Lower mean temperatures (6-48 hours) were achieved with SP plus chloroquine or paracetamol than with SP alone (P < 0.001) or chloroquine alone (P < 0.05). All three SP-treated groups showed high and similar parasite reduction (0-48 hours), whereas treatment with chloroquine alone was much less effective. Levels of IgG antibodies to P. falciparum increased significantly (P < 0.001) and similarly in the four treatment groups between days 0, 2. and 3. Thus, the addition of chloroquine or paracetamol to SP improved the clinical outcome, but did not affect the parasitologic response or antibody production.

State Mandated Prenatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Screening At A Large Community Hospital, William Cusick, Julie G. Stewart, Michael Parry, Gavin Mcleod, Gerald Rakos, Chris Sullivan, John Rodis

Nursing Faculty Publications

Purpose: To describe the initial experience of state mandated prenatal HIV screening at a large community hospital.
Methods: HIV screening was provided to all pregnant women as of October 1, 1999. All HIV-positive women identified received aggressive antiretroviral therapy to reduce the likelihood for vertical transmission. Neonates were screened for HIV at zero, six, and 12 months of age.
Results: Seven pregnant women (0.3%) and two additional family members tested positive for HIV. All seven infants born to the identified HIV-positive women have tested negative for infection. We estimated that six of nine cases of HIV infection identified would have …

Cancer Mortality Among American Indians And Alaska Natives: Regional Differences, 1994-1998, D.K. Espey, R.E. Paisano, N. Cobb

Native Health Database Full Text

This monograph delineates cancer mortality rates among American Indians and Alaska Native within the different regions served by the Indian Health Service (IHS).