Digital Commons Network^™

Washington University Record, August 23, 2007

Washington University Record

No abstract provided.

Parasite Findings In Archeological Remains: Diagnosis And Interpretation, Adauto Arajuo, Karl J. Reinhard, Luiz Fernando Ferreira

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Paleoparasitology has contributed to resolving the debate about the peopling of the Americas and determining the antiquity of human parasite infection. Hookworm (Ancylostomidae) and whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) and other exclusive human intestinal parasites have been recorded in pre-Columbian America. These parasite species originated in pre-hominids and have accompanied humans across continents when people went out of Africa. However, for those human populations that crossed the Bering Land Bridge from Siberia to Alaska, cold climate conditions hampered parasite transmission. Alternative migration routes have been proposed to explain the presence of these parasites in pre-Columbian populations in the Americas. Other …

Spider Mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) Mitochondrial Coi Phylogeny Reviewed: Host Plant Relationships, Phylogeography, Reproductive Parasites And Barcoding, Vera I.D. Ros, Johannes A.J. Breeuwer

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Library Materials

The past 15 years have witnessed a number of molecular studies that aimed to resolve issues of species delineation and phylogeny of mites in the family Tetranychidae. The central part of the mitochondrial COI region has frequently been used for investigating intra- and interspeciWc variation. All these studies combined yield an extensive database of sequence information of the family Tetranychidae. We assembled this information in a single alignment and performed an overall phylogenetic analysis. The resulting phylogeny shows that important patterns have been overlooked in previous studies, whereas others disappear. It also reveals that mistakes were made in submitting the …

Nunez V. Temple Prof Assoc

2007 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Bjc Today

BJC Today

No abstract provided.

Isotype-Specific Antibody Responses Against Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Locus Of Enterocyte Effacement Proteins In Adult Beef Cattle Following Experimental Infection, G. Bretschneider, E. M. Berberov, Rodney A. Moxley

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an important food-borne pathogen and cause of hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome in humans. Cattle are an important reservoir of E. coli O157:H7, in which the organism colonizes the intestinal tract and is shed in the feces. Vaccination of cattle has significant potential as a pre-harvest intervention strategy for E. coli O157:H7; however, basic information about the bovine immune responses to important bacterial colonization factors resulting from infection has not been reported. The serum and fecal IgG and IgA antibody responses of adult cattle to E. coli O157:H7 intimin, translocated intimin receptor (Tir), E. coli …

Nucleic Acids Encoding Sarcocystis Neurona Antigen And Uses Thereof, Daniel K. Howe

Veterinary Science Faculty Patents

The present invention provides novel isolated nucleic acids encoding antigenic proteins derived from Sarcocystis neurona, or unique fragments thereof. In particular, the invention provides novel isolated nucleic acids encoding membrane-associated polypeptides SnSAG2, SnSAG3, and SnSAG4. Also provided are purified antigenic polypeptide fragments encoded by the novel nucleic acid sequences set forth herein that encode for SnSAG2, SnSAG3, and SnSAG4. Also provided are isolated nucleic acids capable of selectively hybridizing with the nucleic acid from Sarcocystis neurona. The invention also provides vectors comprising the nucleic acids of the invention encoding an antigenic protein derived from Sarcocystis neurona or a …

Interview With Jan Serie, Professor Biology And Director Of The Center For Scholarship And Teaching, Jan Serie

Biology Department Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

August 13, 2007 Reporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Genetic And Virulence Diversity Of Flavobacterium Columnare, Esteban Soto

Theses and Dissertations

Flavobacterium columnare is a freshwater fish bacterium responsible for columnaris disease, the second leading cause of mortality in pond raised catfish in the southeastern United States. Pulsedield gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is a particularly powerful tool in epidemiology and is now regarded as the gold standard for molecular typing of microorganisms. We developed methods for conducting PFGE on F. columnare, and determined its efficacy for characterizing F. columnare strains isolated from different locations in the Southeastern United States. Virulence diversity was observed in two different immersion challenge experiments conducted with 16 different isolates in channel catfish fingerlings. A direct correlation was …

Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus Aureus Colonization In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Shoaib Syed Ahmed

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Introduction: Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus is a sensitive indicator of staphylococcal colonization and is considered a source of subsequent infection. When the incidence of Staphylococcus aureus colonization increased in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), resulting in 3 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections over a 3 month period, we sought to further our understanding of S. aureus epidemiology and response to infection control practice. The purpose of this investigation was to study the methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), and further determine the clonal spread of MSSA strain types. Since few studies have analyzed the clinical profile of MSSA in neonates, …

An In Vitro Evaluation Of Dbm As A Tissue Engineered Scaffold, Stephanie Arnold

All Theses

Over 500,000 bone graft procedures are performed each year in the United States. Bone grafting involves a surgical procedure to replace missing bone. Problems can arise with donor and defect sites during and after surgery, sometimes resulting in poor clinical results. The development and optimization of bone graft substitutes via a tissue engineering approach could markedly improve bone graft surgical outcome. Demineralized bone matrix (DBM), a bone graft material, is currently used in a clinical setting but has variable success rates.
The primary objective of the research presented in this thesis was to assess the cellular activity of D1 mouse …

Washington University Record, August 9, 2007

Washington University Record

No abstract provided.

Bjc Today

BJC Today

No abstract provided.

Low Molecular Weight Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (Lmw-Ptp) And Its Possible Physiological Functions Of Redox Signaling In The Eye Lens, Kuiyi Xing, Ashraf Raza, Stefan Lofgren, M. Rohan Fernando, Ye-Shih Ho, Marjorie F. Lou

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMW-PTP) was cloned from human lens epithelial B3 cells (HLE B3) and the recombinant enzyme was purified to homogeneity. The pure enzyme reacted positively with anti-LMW-PTP antibody, displayed tyrosine-specific phosphatase activity and was extremely sensitive to H2O2. The inactivated LMW-PTP could be regenerated by thioltransferase (TTase)/GSH system as demonstrated by both activity assay and by mass spectrometry (MS). The MS study also showed that an intramolecular disulfide bond was formed between C13 and C18 at the active site, and was reduced by the TTase/GSH system. The putative role of LMW-PTP in regulating platelet derived …

Biomarker Discovery Using Targeted Maximum Likelihood Estimation: Application To The Treatment Of Antiretroviral Resistant Hiv Infection, Oliver Bembom, Maya L. Petersen , Soo-Yon Rhee , W. Jeffrey Fessel , Sandra E. Sinisi, Robert W. Shafer, Mark J. Van Der Laan

U.C. Berkeley Division of Biostatistics Working Paper Series

Researchers in clinical science and bioinformatics frequently aim to learn which of a set of candidate biomarkers is important in determining a given outcome, and to rank the contributions of the candidates accordingly. This article introduces a new approach to research questions of this type, based on targeted maximum likelihood estimation of variable importance measures.

The methodology is illustrated using an example drawn from the treatment of HIV infection. Specifically, given a list of candidate mutations in the protease enzyme of HIV, we aim to discover mutations that reduce clinical virologic response to antiretroviral regimens containing the protease inhibitor lopinavir. …

Biodiesel Forming Reactions Using Heterogneous Catalysis, Yijun Liu

All Dissertations

Biodiesel synthesis from biomass provides a means for utilizing effectively renewable resources, a way to convert waste vegetable oils and animal fats to a useful product, a way to recycle carbon dioxide for a combustion fuel, and production of a fuel that is biodegradable, non-toxic, and has a lower emission profile than petroleum-diesel. Free fatty acid (FFA) esterification and triglyceride (TG) transesterification with low molecular weight alcohols constitute the synthetic routes to prepare biodiesel from lipid feedstocks. This project was aimed at developing a better understanding of important fundamental issues involved in heterogeneous catalyzed biodiesel forming reactions using mainly model …

Progress Notes, Lehigh Valley Health Network

Progress Notes

No abstract provided.

Idcr: Infectious Diseases In Corrections Report, Vol. 9 No. 18, Infectious Diseases In Corrections

Infectious Diseases in Corrections Report (IDCR)

No abstract provided.

Ethical Issues In Geriatric Feline Medicine, Bernard E. Rollin

Veterinary Science and Medicine Collection

Most veterinarians hold a ‘pediatric’ rather than ‘garage mechanic’ view of their function. In recent years, sophisticated medical modalities have allowed veterinarians to keep animals alive, and increased value of companion animals in society has increased demand for such treatment. But whereas humans can choose to trade current suffering for extended life, animals seem to lack the cognitive apparatus required to do so. Thus, veterinarians must guard against keeping a suffering animal alive for too long. Clients may be emotionally tied to the animal and blind to its suffering. Part of the veterinarian’s role, therefore, is to lead the client …

Invasive Rats And Bubonic Plague In Northwest Uganda, Jeff N. Borchert, Jeff J. Mach, Timothy J. Linder, Asaph Ogen-Odoi [Deceased, In Memoriam], Santos Angualia

Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species

Major introductions of roof rats (Rattus rattus) likely occurred in the ports of East Africa during the Third Plague Pandemic in the late 1800’s. Transport via trains, boats, and trucking likely introduced this species to inland areas of East Africa, ultimately including Northwest Uganda. Historic plague outbreaks occurred during the early part of the 20th century and continue to cause a human disease burden in the West Nile region of NW Uganda via the bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic forms. Four field sites in this area were trapped to determine the rodent species composition in commensal and peridomestic areas …

The Path To Eradication Of The Gambian Giant Pouched Rat In Florida, Richard Engeman, Gary W. Witmer, Jean B. Bourassa, John W. Woolard, Bernice Constantin, Parker T. Hall, Scott Hardin, Neil D. Perry

Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species

A thriving population of Gambian giant pouched rats became established on Grassy Key, a 550-ha island in Florida, following escape(s) from an exotic pet breeder. After existence of the population was verified, computer models indicated that Gambian giant pouched rats could successfully invade a large portion of North America if they reached the mainland. This largest of rat species is highly prolific, and its dispersal to the mainland could result in substantial negative impacts to agriculture, environment, and wildlife. Additionally, Gambian giant pouched rats are known vectors of a variety of diseases transmissible to humans and livestock. The first action …

The Failed Regulatory System For Animal Imports Into The United States – And How To Fix It, Peter Jenkins

Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species

This paper provides a synopsis of the Defenders of Wildlife report entitled Broken Screens: The Regulation of Live Animal Imports in the United States, released in August 2007. That report assessed the complex federal system for regulating live wild animal imports as applied to the 2,241 non-native species that were identified in United States Fish and Wildlife Service records as being imported between 2000 and 2004, inclusive. The report describes the “coarse risk screening” conducted for those species by searching the scientific literature and United States and international databases. If one or more reliable sources indicated a species was …

European Starlings: A Review Of An Invasive Species With Far-Reaching Impacts, George M. Linz, H. Jeffrey Homan, Shannon M. Gaulker, Linda B. Penry, William J. Bleier

Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species

The introduction of European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in New York City in 1890 and 1891 resulted in their permanent establishment in North America. The successful occupation of North America (and most other continents as well) has earned the starling a nomination in the Top 100 list of ‘Worlds Worst’ invaders. Pimentel et al. (2000) estimated that starling damage to agriculture crops in the United States was $800 million yearly, based on $5/ha damage. Starlings may spread infectious diseases that sicken humans and livestock, costing nearly $800 million in health treatment costs. Lastly, starlings perhaps have contributed to the …

Environmental And Economic Costs Of Vertebrate Species Invasions Into The United States, David Pimental

Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species

The more than 50,000 species of plants, animals, and microbes introduced into the United States (US) cause more extinction of native species than most any other threat and cause more than $120 billion in damages and control costs each year. In particular, invasive mammals and birds cause major environmental and economic losses totaling about $46 billion per year in damage and control costs per year. Feral cats, rats, and hogs are especially serious pests. Pigeons and starlings are a major concern in cities and US agriculture. Prevention and management strategies will be discussed.

Population Ecology And Some Potential Impacts Of Emerging Populations Of Exotic Parrots, Douglas E. Runde, Will C. Pitt, J. T. Foster

Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species

Parrots have been transported around the world since the 1400s and about 44 species have established populations outside of their native ranges. At least 70% of these introduced species were identified as potential agricultural pests, compared to only 15% of all parrot species. At least 74 exotic psittacines have been reported in the wild in the United States, but only nine species were considered established. Since 1990, 24 psittacine species have been sighted in the wild in Hawai`i, about 21 species regularly occur on the main islands and at least five appear established. Past history of successful introduction, recent status …

Developing A Decision Support System For Improving Possum Control Planning, Bruce Warburton, Jim Coleman, Mark Fuglestad, James Dietrich

Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species

Brushtail possums are a major invasive pest in New Zealand. A decision support system (DSS) has been developed to enable those involved in operational planning or delivery of possum control to access available relevant knowledge when making operational decisions. The DSS comprises checklists that ensure users consider relevant constraints and issues, a database of best-practice information on possum control, and an “expert” system that recommends actions based on information provided by the user.

Malaria: Disease Impacts And Long-Run Income Differences, Douglas Gollin, Christian Zimmermann

Economics Working Papers

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that malaria, a parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes, causes over 300 million episodes of "acute illness" and more than one million deaths annually. Most of the deaths occur in poor countries of the tropics, and especially sub-Saharan Africa. Some researchers have suggested that ecological differences associated with malaria prevalence are perhaps the most important reason why some countries today are rich and others poor. This paper explores the question in an explicit dynamic general equilibrium framework, using a calibrated model that incorporates epidemiological features into a standard general equilibrium framework.

Species-Specific Visitation And Removal Of Baits For Delivery Of Pharmaceuticals To Feral Swine, Tyler A. Campbell, David B. Long

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Within the domestic swine industry there is growing trepidation about the role feral swine (Sus scrofa) play in the maintenance and transmission of important swine diseases. Innovative disease management tools for feral swine are needed. We used field trials conducted in southern Texas from February to March 2006 to compare species-specific visitation and removal rates of fish-flavored and vegetable-flavored baits with and without commercially available raccoon (Procyon lotor/) repellent (trial 1) and removal rates of baits deployed in a systematic and cluster arrangement (trial 2). During trial 1, 1) cumulative bait removal rates after four nights …

Usf Women's Club Yearbook, 2007–2008, Usf Women's Club

USF Women’s Club Collection

Yearbook of the USF Women's Club. Inside is a list of past presidents, officers, committee chairmen, and members for 2007–2008. The booklet also includes a tribute to Grace Allen, interest groups, calendar of events, and a copy of the constitution and by-laws from the handbook.