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Distribution Extension Of Escherbothrium Molinae Berman And Brooks, 1994 (Cestoda: Tetraphyllidea: Triloculariidae) In Urotrygon Sp. From The Pacific Coast Of Mexico, Francisco Zaragoza-Tapia, Scott Monks, Griselda Pulido-Flores, Juan Violante-González

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Cestodes collected from the spiral valves of the stingray Urotrygon sp. from the Pacific coast of Mexico were identified as Escherbothrium molinae Berman and Brooks, 1994. The first report of the species was from the Gulf of Nicoya and the Guanacaste coast, Costa Rica; this work represents the second report of the species since the original description and extends its distribution north to Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico.

Small Molecule Antagonists Of Melanopsin-Mediated Phototransduction, Kenneth A. Jones, Megumi Hatori, Ludovic S. Mure, Jayne R. Bramley, Roman Artymyshyn, Sang-Phyo Hong, Mohammad Marzabadi, Huailing Zhong, Jeffrey Sprouse, Quansheng Zhu, Andrew T. E. Hartwick, Patricia J. Sollars, Gary E. Pickard, Satchidananda Panda

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Melanopsin, expressed in a subset of retinal ganglion cells, mediates behavioral adaptation to ambient light and other non-image forming photic responses. This has raised the possibility that pharmacological manipulation of melanopsin can modulate several CNS responses including photophobia, sleep, circadian rhythms and neuroendocrine function. Here we describe the identification of a potent synthetic melanopsin antagonist with in vivo activity. Novel sulfonamide compounds inhibiting melanopsin (opsinamides) compete with retinal binding to melanopsin and inhibit its function without affecting rod/cone mediated responses. In vivo administration of opsinamides to mice specifically and reversibly modified melanopsin-dependent light responses including the pupillary light reflex and …

Detection Of Volatile Organic Compounds In Brucella Abortus- Seropositive Bison, Alona Bayn, Pauline Nol, Ulrike Tisch, Jack Rhyan, Christine K. Ellis, Hossam Haick

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Brucellosis is of great public health and economic importance worldwide. Detection of brucellosis currently relies on serologic testing of an antibody response to Brucella infection, which suffers from cross-sensitivities to other antibody responses. Here we present a new method for identifying Brucella exposure that is based on profiling volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath. Breath samples from Brucella-seropositive bison and controls were chemically analyzed and demonstrated statistically significant differences in the concentration profiles of five VOCs. A point-of-care device incorporating an array of nanomaterial-based sensors could identify VOC patterns indicative of Brucella exposure with excellent discriminative power, using …

Reported Incidences Of Parasitic Infections In Marine Mammals From 1892 To 1978, John R. Felix

Zea E-Books Collection

The role of parasites in the lives and deaths of marine mammals has been scrutinized by biologists for decades, but the scientific literature prior to 1978 has been difficult to acquire and time-consuming to search. Now this new and extensive bibliography gives researchers a convenient resource for reviewing the classical literature on parasites of marine mammals so that historical infection prevalence and geographical distribution can be easily and properly assessed. This book contains detailed information about accepted (or suspected) taxonomic synonyms and geographical information about the host and/or parasite, covering the parasite groups Acanthocephala, Acarina, Anoplura, Cestoda, Nematoda, and Trematoda, …

Barrier To Autointegration Factor (Baf) Inhibits Vaccinia Virus Intermediate Transcription In The Absence Of The Viral B1 Kinase, Nouhou Ibrahim, April Wicklund, Augusta Jamin, Matthew S. Wiebe

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Barrier to autointegration factor (BAF/BANF1) is a cellular DNA-binding protein found in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic BAF binds to foreign DNA and can act as a defense against vaccinia DNA replication. To evade BAF, vaccinia expresses the B1 kinase, which phosphorylates BAF and blocks its ability to bind DNA. Interestingly, B1 is also needed for viral intermediate gene expression via an unknown mechanism. Therefore, we evaluated the impact of B1-BAF signaling on vaccinia transcription. Strikingly, the decrease in vaccinia transcription caused by loss of B1 can be rescued by depletion of BAF. The repressive action of BAF is greatest …

Retention Of Structure, Antigenicity, And Biological Function Of Pneumococcal Surface Protein A (Pspa) Released From Polyanhydride Nanoparticles, Shannon L. Haughney, Latrisha K. Petersen, Amy D. Schoofs, Amanda Ramer-Tait, Janice King, David Briles, Michael J. Wannemuehler, Balaji Narasimhan

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) is a choline-binding protein which is a virulence factor found on the surface of all Streptococcus pneumoniae strains. Vaccination with PspA has been shown to be protective against a lethal challenge with S. pneumoniae, making it a promising immunogen for use in vaccines. Herein, the design of a PspA-based subunit vaccine using polyanhydride nanoparticles as a delivery platform is described. Nanoparticles based on sebacic acid (SA), 1,6-bis-(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane (CPH) and 1,8-bis-(p-carboxyphenoxy)-3,6- dioxaoctane (CPTEG), specifically 50:50 CPTEG:CPH and 20:80 CPH:SA, were used to encapsulate and release PspA. The protein released from the nanoparticle …

Food, Parasites, And Epidemiological Transitions: A Broad Perspective, Karl Reinhard, Luis Fernando Ferreira, Françoise Bouchet, L. Sianto, J. M.F. Dutra, A. Iniguez, Daniela Leles, M. Le Bailley, Martín Horacio Fugassa, Elisa Pucu, Adauto Araújo

Karl Reinhard Publications

Pathoecology provides unique frameworks for understanding disease transmission in ancient populations. Analyses of Old and New World archaeological samples contribute empirically to our understanding of parasite infections. Combining archaeological and anthropological data, we gain insights about health, disease, and the way ancient people lived and interacted with each other and with their environments. Here we present Old and New World parasite evidence, emphasizing how such information reflects the different ways ancient populations exploited diverse environments and became infected with zoonotic parasites. It is clear that the most common intestinal helminthes (worm endoparasites) were already infecting ancient inhabitants of the New …

Low Seroprevalent Species D Adenovirus Vectors As Influenza Vaccines, Eric A. Weaver, Michael A. Barry

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Seasonal and pandemic influenza remains a constant threat. While standard influenza vaccines have great utility, the need for improved vaccine technologies have been brought to light by the 2009 swine flu pandemic, highly pathogenic avian influenza infections, and the most recent early and widespread influenza activity. Species C adenoviruses based on serotype 5 (AD5) are potent vehicles for gene-based vaccination. While potent, most humans are already immune to this virus. In this study, low seroprevalent species D adenoviruses Ad26, 28, and 48 were cloned and modified to express the influenza virus A/PR/8/34 hemagglutinin gene for vaccine studies. When studied in …

Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of 1-Octen-3-Ol And Carbon Dioxide Chemoattractants With Mosquitoes And Bloodmeal Analysis Of Culex Mosquito Spp. In Lancaster County, Nebraska, Julianne N. Matczyszyn

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of mosquito-borne disease surveillance is to assess the risk of pathogen transmission by assessing mosquito populations and the prevalence of disease pathogens in those populations. West Nile virus (WNV) is an important mosquito-borne virus in Nebraska, and can be transmitted by several mosquito species found in Lancaster County, Nebraska, including Culex pipiens L., Culex salinarius Coquillett, Culex restuans Theobald, Culex tarsalis Coquillett, Culex territans Walker, and Culex erraticus Dyar & Knab. These species are ornithophilic, yet many studies indicate a shift in host feeding to mammalian in late summer months. One-octen-3-ol (octenol) can be isolated …

Expert–Novice Differences In Mental Models Of Viruses, Vaccines, And The Causes Of Infectious Disease, Benjamin D. Jee, David H. Uttal, Amy N. Spiegel, Judy Diamond

World of Viruses

Humans are exposed to viruses everywhere they live, play, and work. Yet people’s beliefs about viruses may be confused or inaccurate, potentially impairing their understanding of scientific information. This study used semi-structured interviews to examine people’s beliefs about viruses, vaccines, and the causes of infectious disease. We compared people at different levels of science expertise: middle school students, teachers, and professional virologists. The virologists described more entities involved in microbiological processes, how these entities behaved, and why. Quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed distinctions in the cognitive organization of several concepts, including infection and vaccination. For example, some students and teachers …

Characteristics Of White-Tailed Deer Visits To Cattle Farms: Implications For Disease Transmission At The Wildlife-Livestock Interface, Are R. Berentsen, Ryan S. Miller, Regina Misiewicz, Jennifer L. Malmberg, Mike R. Dunbar

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is endemic in free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in MI, USA. Currently, the rates of farm visitation by deer and co-use of forage resources by cattle and deer are poorly understood. To evaluate the extent deer and livestock may share forage resources, we investigated farm, yard, and cattle-use area visitation by white-tailed deer and compared visitation with common livestock management practices. We fitted 25 female white-tailed deer near the bTB-infected zone in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula with global positioning system collars. Livestock management practices associated with farm visitation included presence of confined feeding pastures, number of …

Coccidia Of Gerbils From Mongolia, Ethan Thomas Jensen

School of Biological Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In this study, gerbils collected in the Mongolia over the summers of 2009-2012 were examined for coccidia. In total, 171 gerbils of three species from 22 localities were examined for coccidia. Coccidian oocysts were identified from 21 gerbils, but those found in 1 of those gerbils were probably pseudoparasites of the host from which they were recovered. From the remaining 20 gerbils, 7 morphotypes of Eimeria and 1 morphotype of Isospora were identified. Four of the 7 morphotypes of Eimeria were attributed to new species which were described in this study. In addition, 10 previously described species of Eimeria were …

Osmotic Stress, Not Aldose Reductase Activity, Directly Induces Growth Factors And Mapk Signaling Changes During Sugar Cataract Formation, Peng Zhang, Kuiyi Xing, James Randazzo, Karen Blessing, Marjorie F. Lou, Peter Kador

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

In sugar cataract formation in rats, aldose reductase (AR) actitvity is not only linked to lenticular sorbitol (diabetic) or galactitol (galactosemic) formation but also to signal transduction changes, cytotoxic signals and activation of apoptosis. Using both in vitro and in vivo techniques, the interrelationship between AR activity, polyol (sorbitol and galactitol) formation, osmotic stress, growth factor induction, and cell signaling changes have been investigated. For in vitro studies, lenses from Sprague Dawley rats were cultured for up to 48 hrs in TC-199-bicarbonate media containing either 30 mM fructose (control), or 30 mM glucose or galctose with/without the aldose reductase inhibitors …

Comparison Of Systemic And Mucosal Immunization Withhelper-Dependent Adenoviruses For Vaccination Against Mucosal Challenge With Shiv, Eric A. Weaver, Pramod N. Nehete, Bharti P. Nehete, Guojun Yang, Stephanie J. Buchl, Patrick W. Hanley, Donna Palmer, David C. Montefiori, Guido Ferrari, Philip Ng, K. Jagannadha Sastry, Michael A. Barry

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Most HIV-1 infections are thought to occur at mucosal surfaces during sexual contact. It has been hypothesized that vaccines delivered at mucosal surfaces may mediate better protection against HIV-1 than vaccines that are delivered systemically. To test this, rhesus macaques were vaccinated by intramuscular (i.m.) or intravaginal (ivag.) routes with helperdependent adenoviral (HD-Ad) vectors expressing HIV-1 envelope. Macaques were first immunized intranasally with species C Ad serotype 5 (Ad5) prior to serotype-switching with species C HD-Ad6, Ad1, Ad5, and Ad2 vectors expressing env followed by rectal challenge with CCR5-tropic SHIV-SF162P3. Vaccination by the systemic route generated stronger systemic CD8 T …

High-Throughput Analysis Of Antimalarial Susceptibility Data By The Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network (Wwarn) In Vitro Analysis And Reporting Tool, Charles J. Woodrow, Sabina Dahlström, Richard Cooksey, Jennifer A. Flegg, Hervé Le Nagard, France Mentré, Claribel Murillo, Didier Ménard, François Nosten, Kanlaya Sriprawat, Lise Musset, Neils B. Quashie, Pharath Lim, Rick M. Fairhurst, Sam L. Nsobya, Veronique Sinou, Harald Noedl, Bruno Pradines, Jacob D. Johnson, Philippe J. Guerin, Carol H. Sibley, Jacques Le Bras

United States Army: Publications

Assessment of in vitro susceptibility is a fundamental component of antimalarial surveillance studies, but wide variations in the measurement of parasite growth and the calculation of inhibitory constants make comparisons of data from different laboratories difficult. Here we describe a Web-based, high-throughput in vitro analysis and reporting tool (IVART) generating inhibitory constants for large data sets. Fourteen primary data sets examining laboratory-determined susceptibility to artemisinin derivatives and artemisinin combination therapy partner drugs were collated from 11 laboratories. Drug concentrations associated with half-maximal inhibition of growth (IC₅₀s) were determined by a modified sigmoid E_max model-fitting algorithm, allowing standardized …

Human Leukocyte Antigens And Cellular Immune Responses To Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed, Inna G. Ovsyannikova, V. Shane Pankratz, Robert A. Vierkant, Nicholas M. Pajewski, Conrad P. Quinn, Richard A. Kaslow, Robert M. Jacobson, Gregory A. Poland

United States Public Health Resources

Interindividual variations in vaccine-induced immune responses are in part due to host genetic polymorphisms in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and other gene families. This study examined associations between HLA genotypes, haplotypes, and homozygosity and protective antigen (PA)-specific cellular immune responses in healthy subjects following immunization with Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (AVA). While limited associations were observed between individual HLA alleles or haplotypes and variable lymphocyte proliferative (LP) responses to AVA, analyses of homozygosity supported the hypothesis of a “heterozygote advantage.” Individuals who were homozygous for any HLA locus demonstrated significantly lower PA-specific LP than subjects who were heterozygous at all …

Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein K Supports Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Replication By Regulating Cell Survival And Cellular Gene Expression, Phat X. Dinh, Anshuman Das, Rodrigo Franco, Asit K. Pattnaik

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) is a member of the family of hnRNPs and was recently shown in a genome-wide small interfering RNA (siRNA) screen to support vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) growth. To decipher the role of hnRNP K in VSV infection, we conducted studies which suggest that the protein is required for VSV spreading. Virus binding to cells, entry, and nucleocapsid uncoating steps were not adversely affected in the absence of hnRNP K, whereas viral genome transcription and replication were reduced slightly. These results indicate that hnRNP K is likely involved in virus assembly and/or release from …

Zein: Novel Natural Polymer For Nanoparticle- And Film-Mediated Gene Delivery, Jessica D. Taylor

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Gene delivery, the introduction of DNA into cells, is applicable to gene therapy, DNA vaccination, functional genomics and diagnostics, tissue engineering, and drug-eluting medical devices. Particulates incorporating DNA are promising vehicles for gene delivery and overcome some of the barriers that hinder successful gene transfer, with the ability to protect DNA and provide for controlled, localized, and sustained release and transfection. Furthermore, innovative new gene delivery strategies that incorporate DNA particulates or complexes within films or coatings for devices and scaffolds could further provide for controlled and sustained transfection at the site of implant. Zein, a hydrophobic protein from corn, …

The Epidemiology Of Human Herpesvirus-8: Transmission Of Infection To Children In Zambian Households, Kay L. Crabtree

School of Biological Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Human Herpes virus-8 (HHV-8) is the known etiologic agent for several malignant pathologies, including Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), the most common tumor in children in sub-Saharan Africa. Saliva is implicated as the culprit of transmission; however there is a paucity of information regarding transmission to young children. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that household behaviors exposing the susceptible child to saliva increase the risk of transmission of HHV-8 to that child.

To test our hypothesis a large prospective cohort study in Lusaka, Zambia, enrolling 464 young children and their households, was followed for 48 months. Socio-demographics, health histories, feeding …

Characterization Of The Gut Microbiota And Colitogenic Bacterial Species In Core 1 O-Glycans Deficient Mice, Maria E. Perez-Munoz

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Mucus is one important component of the intestinal mucosal barrier, and loss of its functionality is associated with colitis in humans and mice. Mice deficient in core 1 O-glycans (TM-IEC C1galt1^-/-) display a thinner mucus layer upon mutation of the glycosyltransferase enzyme (C1GALT1) responsible for core 1 O-glycans attachment, thus constituting an experimental model for human Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Under conventional conditions, these mice experience spontaneous inflammation of the colon. However, the exact role of the microbiota in colitis development in these mice has not been systematically investigated.

Aimed to gain insights into the role of …

Informative Retesting For Hierarchical Group Testing, Michael S. Black

Department of Statistics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Group testing is the process of pooling samples (e.g., blood, chemical compounds) from multiple sources and testing the pooled material for some binary characteristic. It is used in pathogen screening for humans and animals, drug discovery studies, electrical systems testing, and many other applications. Group testing has traditionally been used for two main types of investigations: 1) the identification of positive specimens and 2) the estimation of a characteristic’s prevalence in a population. This dissertation focuses on the identification process. We propose new identification procedures that exploit the heterogeneity among samples in order to reduce the number of tests needed …

Ectoparasites Of The Virginia Opossum (Didelphis Virginiana), Raccoon (Procyon Lotor), And Striped Skunk (Mephitis Mephitis) From Keith County, Nebraska, Lance A. Durden, Dennis J. Richardson

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Six Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), nine raccoons (Procyon lotor) and one striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) collected from Keith County Nebraska were examined for ectoparasites. All three host species were parasitized by adults of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis. Opossums were also parasitized by the flea Pulex simulans and the tiny fur mite Didelphilichus serri­fer; the latter species represents a new state record for Nebraska. Raccoons were also parasitized by P. simulans and by the lago­morph-associated flea Euhoplopsyllus glacialis affinis, whereas the skunk was also parasitized by the chewing louse Neotrichodectes …

Estudios Científicos En El Estado De Hidalgo Y Zonas Aledañas, Volumen Ii, Griselda Pulido-Flores, Scott Monks

Zea E-Books Collection

Los 16 capítulos que conforman este libro son una contribución al conocimiento de la biodiversidad y conservación de los recursos naturales en el estado de Hidalgo, México.

Se aborda el derecho de propiedad intelectual en la biodiversidad, citando algunos ejemplos de México. Así mismo, se presenta un estudio de la biodiversidad y distribución de la herpetofauna en cuatro tipos de vegetación. Desde el punto de vista de la helmintología se presentan dos estudios de los helmintos parásitos de vertebrados silvestres; con nuevos registros de hospederos y localidades de algunas especies de helmintos para Hidalgo. También, se aborda el uso de …

Mycobacterium Bovis (Bovine Tuberculosis) Infection In North American Wildlife: Current Status And Opportunities For Mitigation Of Risks Of Further Infection In Wildlife Populations, Ryan S. Miller, Steven J. Sweeney

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis, has been identified in nine geographically distinct wildlife populations in North America and Hawaii and is endemic in at least three populations, including members of the Bovidae, Cervidae, and Suidae families. The emergence of M. bovis in North American wildlife poses a serious and growing risk for livestock and human health and for the recreational hunting industry. Experience in many countries, including the USA and Canada, has shown that while M. bovis can be controlled when restricted to livestock species, it is almost impossible to eradicate …

Diseases At The Livestock–Wildlife Interface: Status, Challenges, And Opportunities In The United States, Ryan S. Miller, Mathew L. Farnsworth, Jennifer L. Malmberg

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

In the last half century, significant attention has been given to animal diseases; however, our understanding of disease processes and how to manage them at the livestock–wildlife interface remains limited. In this study, we conduct a systematic review of the scientific literature to evaluate the status of diseases at the livestock–wildlife interface in the United States. Specifically, the goals of the literature review were three fold: first to evaluate domestic animal diseases currently found in the United States where wildlife may play a role; second to identify critical issues faced in managing these diseases at the livestock–wildlife interface; and third …

Changes On Cran, Kurt Hornik, Achim Zeileis

The R Journal

New CRAN task views

New packages in CRAN task views

New contributed packages

Other changes

Assessment Of Introduction Pathway For Novel Avian Influenza Virus Into North America By Wild Birds From Eurasia, Ryan S. Miller, Steven J. Sweeney, Judy E. Akkina, Emi K. Saito

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

A critical question surrounding emergence of novel strains of avian influenza viruses (AIV) is the ability for wild migratory birds to translocate a complete (unreassorted whole genome) AIV intercontinentally. Virus translocation via migratory birds is suspected in outbreaks of highly pathogenic strain A(H5N1) in Asia, Africa, and Europe. As a result, the potential intercontinental translocation of newly emerging AIV (e.g. A(H7N9) from Eurasia to North America via migratory movements of birds) remains a concern. An estimated 1.48 to 2.91 million aquatic birds, principally Anseriformes (ducks, geese, and swans) and Charadriiformes (gulls, terns, and shorebirds) move annually between Eurasia and North …

Adapting To A Changing World: An Environmental History Of The Eastern Shoshone, 1000–1868, Adam R. Hodge

Department of History: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Using the Eastern Shoshone Tribe as a case study, this dissertation argues that the physical environment must be considered integral to processes of ethnogenesis. It traces the environmental history of the people who became known as the Eastern Shoshone over the course of several centuries, exploring how those Natives migrated throughout and adapted to a significant portion of the North American West – the Great Basin, Rocky Mountains, Columbia Plateau, and Great Plains – prior to the reservation era. In examining that history, this project treats Shoshones, other Natives, and Euro-Americans not as people who simply used the environment, but …

Institutional Crisis Readiness As Perceived By Small College And University Senior Student Affairs Officers At Naspa Member Institutions, Philip D. Covington

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this study was to examine current readiness plans of small colleges and universities through the eyes of Senior Student Affairs Officers and develop recommendations for institutional use. Plans were examined across both institutional size and type to gauge institutional readiness, and commonalities were sought in the areas of plan development and maintenance. This explanatory mixed-methods study utilized survey research methodology and phone interviews. Following the initial survey administration, five respondents participated in phone interviews focused on the development and maintenance of institutional crisis management systems. Unexpected delays in the research necessitated a second administration of the survey …

Upton Sinclair, Lauren Coodley

University of Nebraska Press: Sample Books and Chapters

Had Upton Sinclair not written a single book after The Jungle, he would still be famous. But Sinclair was a mere twenty-five years old when he wrote The Jungle, and over the next sixty-five years he wrote nearly eighty more books and won a Pulitzer Prize for fiction. He was also a filmmaker, labor activist, women’s rights advocate, and health pioneer on a grand scale. This new biography of Sinclair underscores his place in the American story as a social, political, and cultural force, a man who more than any other disrupted and documented his era in the …