Digital Commons Network^™

Genetic Commonality Of Macrolide-Resistant Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus Pharyngeal Strains, Angela Myers, Mary Anne Jackson, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Richard V. Goering, Christopher J. Harrison

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background: Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) pharyngitis is a common childhood illness. Penicillin remains the gold standard therapy, but macrolides are indicated for the penicillin allergic patient, and are often used for convenience.

Methods: We conducted a surveillance study of children with pharyngitis and positive streptococcal rapid antigen testing from 10/05 to 10/06 at 2 sites (A & B). Demographics, treatment, and resistance data was collected and compared to previous data from 2002. Erythromycin (EM) resistance was determined by disk diffusion and E-test on 500 isolates. Pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed to measure genetic relatedness of isolates. …

Empirical Essays On The Impact Of Health-Aid On Health Outcomes, Elsy Thomas Kizhakethalackal

Dissertations

This dissertation consists of three essays that empirically explore the impact of multilateral health-aid on health outcomes like infant mortality rate (IMR) and incidences of an infectious disease, Tuberculosis, in developing economies. The first essay uses parametric and semiparametric mean regressions (additive and non-additive specifications) to capture the impact of education and health-aid on the IMR, after controlling for other covariates. Both specifications confirm education as an important factor in reducing IMR. However, the effect of health-aid on IMR is not significant. In our additive model, we do see a threshold level of health-aid after which the impacts of health-aid …

Canadian Food Law Update, Patricia L. Farnese

Journal of Food Law & Policy

Provided below is an overview of developments in Canadian food law and policy in 2009. This update primarily analyzes the regulatory and policy developments and litigation activities by the federal government. This focus reflects the significance of federal activities in the food policy realm. In 2009, regulatory and policy developments continue to be dominated by the 2008 Listeriosis outbreak in ready-to-eat, deli meats. Other noted activities include Canada's ongoing efforts to minimize the effects of infectious diseases related to meat production, Canada's request for a WTO panel to consider the effects of American Country of Origin Labelling, and an initiative …

Common Genetic Variation And The Control Of Hiv-1 In Humans, Jacques Fellay, Dongliang Ge, Kevin V. Shianna, Sara Colombo, Bruno Ledergerber, Elizabeth T. Cirulli, Thomas J. Urban, Kunlin Zhang, Curtis Gumbs, Jason P. Smith, Antonella Castagna, Alessandro Cozzi-Lepri, Andrea De Luca, Philippa Easterbrook, Huldrych F. Gunthard, Simon Mallal, Cristina Mussini, Judith Dalmau, Javier Martinez-Picado, Jose M. Miro, Niels Obel, Steven M. Wolinsky, Jeremy J. Martinson, Roger Detels, Joseph Margolick, Lisa Jacobson, Patrick Descombes, Stylianos E. Antonarakis, Jacques S. Beckmann, Stephen J. O'Brien, Norman L. Letvin, Andrew J. Mcmichael, Barton F. Haynes, Mary Carrington, Sheng Feng, Amalio Telenti, David B. Goldstein, Niaid Center For Hiv/Aids Vaccine Immunology (Chavi)

Biology Faculty Articles

To extend the understanding of host genetic determinants of HIV-1 control, we performed a genome-wide association study in a cohort of 2,554 infected Caucasian subjects. The study was powered to detect common genetic variants explaining down to 1.3% of the variability in viral load at set point. We provide overwhelming confirmation of three associations previously reported in a genome-wide study and show further independent effects of both common and rare variants in the Major Histocompatibility Complex region (MHC). We also examined the polymorphisms reported in previous candidate gene studies and fail to support a role for any variant outside of …

Molecular Dynamics Of Adenovirus Type 3 And 7 Infections In Military And Civilian Populations In The United States, Laura M. Dickson

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Human adenoviruses (HAdV) are major causative agents of acute respiratory disease (ARD) worldwide. Military recruits and children are two of the populations most susceptible to HAdV infection in the United States. Infections by species B serotypes, including HAdV-3 and HAdV-7, are often associated with some of the most severe clinical manifestations of respiratory disease. In 1996, the production of the HAdV vaccine that was administered to US military recruits was discontinued. Since then, HAdV-associated ARD has reemerged in military training facilities nationwide compromising readiness and deployability of troops and causing significant financial burden to the Department of Defense (DoD). The …

Clean Water For Developing Countries, Hilary Wighton

Social Sciences

No abstract provided.

Pandemic Potential Of Reassortant Swine Influenza A Viruses, Christy Brockwell Staats

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Influenza A viruses are capable of causing disease in several species, including birds, humans and swine. Host specificity of the viruses is not absolute, and is influenced by a range of factors. Swine play a pivotal role in the interspecies transmission of influenza A viruses, as they are susceptible to infection with both human and avian strains and have been implicated as a “mixing vessel” for the reassortment of influenza A viruses from different species. The reassortment of influenza A viruses of human and avian origin led to human influenza pandemics in 1957 and 1968.

The dynamics of swine influenza …

Nitric Oxide And The Immune System: A Literature Review, Hannah Hosking

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Nitric oxide (NO) was discovered as a biologically active molecule over two decades ago and it has since been recognised as one of the most versatile components of the immune system, with involvement in both cytotoxic and regulatory functions. It is a readily diffusible gas that has been established as a universal messenger, capable of mediating cell-cell communication throughout the body. It is involved in the pathogenesis and also the control of infectious diseases, autoimmunity, chronic degenerative diseases and tumours. This review will collate, contrast and compare recently published literature, to provide an up-to-date and contemporary overview of the substantial …

Inactivation Of The Fliy Gene Encoding A Flagellar Motor Switch Protein Attenuates Mobility And Virulence Of Leptospira Interrogans Strain Lai, Sumei Liao, Ai-Hua Sun, David M. Ojcius, Senlin Wu, Jinfang Zhao, Jie Yan

All Dugoni School of Dentistry Faculty Articles

Background: Pathogenic Leptospira species cause leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease of global importance. The spirochete displays active rotative mobility which may contribute to invasion and diffusion of the pathogen in hosts. FliY is a flagellar motor switch protein that controls flagellar motor direction in other microbes, but its role in Leptospira, and paricularly in pathogenicity remains unknown.

Results: A suicide plasmid for the fliY gene of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar Lai strain Lai that was disrupted by inserting the ampicillin resistance gene (bla) was constructed, and the inactivation of fliY gene in a mutant (fliY-) was confirmed by PCR and …

Community Structure And Seasonal Dynamics Of Dactylogyrus Spp. (Monogenea) On The Fathead Minnow (Pimephales Promelas) From The Salt Valley Watershed, Lancaster County, Nebraska, Alaine Knipes, John J. Janovy Jr.

John J. Janovy, Jr. Publications

The gill monogene communities of Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow) in three distinct sites on converging streams were investigated from 2004 to 2006 in three different seasons. Thirty collections of P. promelas were made in southeastern Nebraska along three converging tributaries: Elk Creek (40.88534°N, 96.83366°W), West Oak Creek (40.9082°N, 96.81432°W), and Oak Creek (40.91402°N, 96.770583°W), Lancaster County, Nebraska. In all, 103 P. promelas were collected from Elk Creek, 115 from West Oak Creek, and 78 from Oak Creek and examined for gill monogenes. Among the P. promelas collected, 93.5% were infected with up to three species of Dactylogyrus, including Dactylogyrus …

Road Map Of An Ear, Nose, And Throat Clinic During The 2008 Hajj In Makkah, Saudi Arabia., Ameen Z. Alherabi

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVES: To present our experience in the development of our own local electronic Makkah Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Hajj Database, and provide a road map for the ENT Clinic during Hajj. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted between November 28 and December 10, 2008 (1429 Hijri Hajj season). All patients presenting to the ENT Clinic at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 1047 patients were included. The mean age was 26 ± 6.4 years. There were 663 males (63.3%), and 384 females (36.7%). Among them, 361 patients (34.5%) were …

Severe Community-Acquired Infection Caused By Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus In Saudi Arabian Children., Elham E. Bukhari, Fawzia E. Al-Otaibi

Saudi Medical Journal

Community acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infection has become a major pathogen causing significant infection in children in Saudi Arabia. It has emerged as a frequent cause of skin and soft tissue infections and can be associated with life-threatening complications such as necrotizing pneumonia and sepsis. Between January 2005 and March 2008, 5 (6%) previously healthy children with invasive CA-MRSA infections were identified from 80 children with community-onset MRSA infections. Three children had osteomyelitis, with one patient presenting a fulminant and extensive soft tissue and bone destruction complicated by deep vein thrombosis and pathological fracture. One child had deep-seated infection, …

Synlophe Structure For Species Of Longistrongylus (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea), Abomasal Parasites Among Ungulates From Sub-Saharan Africa, With Comparisons To The Global Ostertagiine Fauna, Eric P. Hoberg, Arthur Abrams, Patricia A. Pilitt

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

The synlophe, or system of longitudinal cuticular ridges characteristic of some trichostrongyloid nematodes, is examined in detail for 6 of 8 species in Longistrongylus (Ostertagiinae) that occur in ungulates across sub-Saharan Africa. Among the species of Longistrongylus examined, 5 are characterized by a tapering pattern laterally in the cervical zone (anterior to the esophageal-intestinal junction), which is largely consistent among multiple male and female specimens; in contrast, for Longistrongylus meyeri the lateral pattern is parallel. The synlophe is bilaterally symmetrical, with ridges extending from the base of the cephalic expansion to near the caudal extremity in males and females. Ridges …

Field Evaluation Of The Immunocontraceptive Gonacontm In Reducing Eastern Gray Squirrel Fecundity In Urban Areas, Murali Pai

All Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunocontraceptive GonaCon^TM in reducing fecundity in Eastern gray squirrel (EGS) (Sciurus carolinensis) in urban areas. Using a modified box trap design, 317 EGS were captured during four trapping sessions on a 5.66 ha site on Clemson University's main campus. EGS were handled using a restraint cone and sexed, weighed, ear-tagged and implanted with a microchip at the nape of the neck on all 'original' captures and later identified in subsequent captures as 'recaptures.' Blood samples and morphometric data were obtained on EGS before the immunocontraceptive GonaCon^TM was administered by …

Playing By The Rules: Combating Al Qaeda Within The Law Of War, David Glazier

William & Mary Law Review

Although the conflict formerly known as the “war on terror” is now in its eighth year, key legal issues governing the use of force and military detention remain largely unresolved. These questions survive the Bush administration, as the United States continues to launch aerial strikes against al Qaeda and President Obama has indicated his intention to continue the use of preventative detention and military trials even after Guantánamo is closed. Military victory is not possible, but good faith application of authority from the law of war can effectively complement traditional criminal law in combating the threat. Even if the Geneva …

Genotyping Of Streptococcus Agalactiae (Group B Streptococci) Isolated From Vaginal And Rectal Swabs Of Women At 35-37 Weeks Of Pregnancy, Nabil Abdullah El Aila, Inge Tency, Geert Claeys, Bart Saerens, Ellen De Backer, Marleen Temmerman, Rita Verhelst, Mario Vaneechoutte

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Group B streptococci (GBS), or Streptococcus agalactiae, are the leading bacterial cause of meningitis and bacterial sepsis in newborns. Here we compared different culture media for GBS detection and we compared the occurrence of different genotypes and serotypes of GBS isolates from the vagina and rectum.

Methods: Streptococcus agalactiae was cultured separately from both rectum and vagina, for a total of 150 pregnant women, i) directly onto Columbia CNA agar, or indirectly onto ii) Granada agar resp. iii) Columbia CNA agar, after overnight incubation in Lim broth.

Results: Thirty six women (24%) were colonized by GBS. Of these, 19 …

The Vaginal Microflora In Relation To Gingivitis, Rutger Persson, Jane Hitti, Rita Verhelst, Mario Vaneechoutte, Rigmor Persson, Regula Hirschi, Marianne Weibel, Marilynn Rothen, Marleen Temmerman, Kathleen Paul

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Gingivitis has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcome (APO). Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has been associated with APO. We assessed if bacterial counts in BV is associated with gingivitis suggesting a systemic infectious susceptibilty.

Methods: Vaginal samples were collected from 180 women (mean age 29.4 years, SD ± 6.8, range: 18 to 46), and at least six months after delivery, and assessed by semi-quantitative DNA-DNA checkerboard hybridization assay (74 bacterial species). BV was defined by Gram stain (Nugent criteria). Gingivitis was defined as bleeding on probing at ≥ 20% of tooth sites.

Results: A Nugent score of 0–3 (normal vaginal …

Exploring T. Brucei Hexokinase Biology: Localization And Inhibition Studies, Todd Lyda

All Dissertations

Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of the disease African sleeping sickness
in humans and nagana in animals, is a scourge of sub-Saharan Africa. There is a
desperate need for more efficacious therapies for the disease; here we describe research
validating T. brucei hexokinase 1 (TbHK1) as a drug therapeutic target for T. brucei
infection and the identification and characterization of novel inhibitors of the enzyme by
both low throughput and high throughput means. Additionally this thesis introduces
efforts at characterizing a second T. brucei hexokinase, focusing mostly on cell biology
and the determination of localization.
The small molecule quercetin (QCN) …

Perceptions And Attitudes Of College Science Students Regarding Carrers In Clinical Laobratory Science, Maureen L. Doran

Theses

Histology as a career offers many challenging and diverse job opportunities but few qualified applicants pursue this vocation. The purpose of this research was to collect data to identify factors impacting this problem. The study investigated the awareness, attitudes and perceptions of community college and university science students towards laboratory health science and histology as a career option. The goal was to develop strategies to identify and recruit potential individuals who are qualified for the histology profession. The researcher surveyed 15 undergraduate science classes from two community colleges and one university in the Midwest. The community colleges and university surveyed …

Empirical Likelihood In Missing Data Problems, Jing Qin, Biao Zhang, Denis H. Y. Leung

Research Collection School Of Economics

Missing data is a ubiquitous problem in medical and social sciences. It is well known that inferences based only on the complete data may not only lose efficiency, but may also lead to biased results if the data is not missing completely at random (MCAR). The inverse-probability weighting method proposed by Horvitz and Thompson (1952) is a popular alternative when the data is not MCAR. The Horvitz–Thompson method, however, is sensitive to the inverse weights and may suffer from loss of efficiency. In this paper, we propose a unified empirical likelihood approach to missing data problems and explore the use …

Gene Expression Profile Of Tumor Cell-Fused Or Noni (Morinda Citrifolia)-Treated Dendritic Cells, Melissa O'Connor

All Dissertations

Dendritic cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy employs several ways to engage tumor antigens. We have demonstrated both in pre-clinical animal studies and early clinical trials that dendritomas, highly purified hybrids between dendritic cells and tumor cells, are superior activators of anti-tumor immunity. In the present study, we examined the expression profile of several inflammatory chemokine and chemokine receptors of dendritomas by RNA microarray and real-time RT-PCR. The results indicate that dendritomas made from immature DCs and tumor cells express higher levels of CCL3, CCL5, and CCL22 and lower levels of CCR2 and CCR5, which mimics LPS matured DCs, while dendritomas made from …

Vaccination Nation: A Bioethical Feminist Inquiry Into The Political, Social And Ethical Controversy Surrounding The Human Papillomavirus Vaccine, Kirsten Keller Morin

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This theoretical inquiry has explored the political, social, and ethical controversy surrounding the government's push to mandate the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for adolescent girls. This vaccine has the potential of preventing cancer, specifically cervical cancer. There is a growing debate in this country whether this new HPV vaccine, Gardasil®, should be added to the list of school-mandated vaccines. Karen Houppert (2007) has stated that this particular "vaccine protects girls and women from cervical cancer and genital warts caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)" (p. 17). So, what is the controversy? It all started with the fact that this vaccine …

Where Are The Parasites? [Letters], Susan J. Kutz, Andy P. Dobson, Eric P. Hoberg

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

First paragraph:

The review by E. Post et al. ("Ecological dynamics across the Arctic associated with recent climate change," 11 September 2009, p. 1,355) paid little heed to parasites and other pathogens. The rapidly growing literature on parasites in arctic and subarctic ecosystems provides empirical and observational evidence that climate-linked changes have already occurred. The life cycle of the protostrongylid lungworm of muskoxen, Umingmakstrongylus pallikuukensis, has changed, and the range of that organism and the winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus, has expanded.

Impact Of Empire Expansion On Household Diet: The Inka In Northern Chile's Atacama Desert, Sheila Dorsey Vinton, Linda Perry, Karl J. Reinhard, Calogero M. Santoro, Isabel Teixeira-Santos

Anthropology Faculty Publications

The impact of expanding civilization on the health of American indigenous societies has long been studied. Most studies have focused on infections and malnutrition that occurred when less complex societies were incorporated into more complex civilizations. The details of dietary change, however, have rarely been explored. Using the analysis of starch residues recovered from coprolites, here we evaluate the dietary adaptations of indigenous farmers in northern Chile's Atacama Desert during the time that the Inka Empire incorporated these communities into their economic system. This system has been described as "complementarity" because it involves interaction and trade in goods produced at …

November 23, 2009 Reporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

The Statesman, V. 53, I. 20, Stony Brook University

Stony Brook Statesman-Sucolian

v. 53, i. 20

Washington University Record, November 19, 2009

Washington University Record

No abstract provided.

Brazilian Adolescents Infected By Hiv: Epidemiologic Characteristics And Adherence To Treatment, Julia K. C. Machado, Maria J. C. Sant'anna, Veronica Coates, Flavia J. Almeida, Eitan N. Berezin, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Over the last 3 decades since the first AIDS cases appeared, we have witnessed great progress in therapeutic methodologies that have transformed the evolution of the disease from debilitating and fatal, into chronic and controllable. HIV-infected children are arriving at adolescence and bringing specific challenges, not only to themselves, but also to their families and caregivers. This retrospective study sets forth epidemiological and treatment characteristics of 46 HIV-infected adolescents followed in a specialized university service relating said characteristics to therapy adherence assessed through a combination of three indirect methods. Therapy adherence did not reveal any association with either epidemiologic characteristics …

The Spinnaker [Vol. 33 No. 16], University Of North Florida

Spinnaker

Student newspaper for the UNF community.

Animal Health Matters, David H. Zeman

Animal Health MATTERS Newsletter

Director's Message [Page] 1- Education...Discovery...Service: Dedicated people required [Page] 1- Dr. Firkins Motivates Faculty, Staff, Students [Page] 2- AVMA Survey Indicates Most Starting Salaries are up for New Veterinarians Pieces and Parts [Page] 3- Ability of PCR to detect PRRSV 3-4-2 RFLP cut pattern strain [Page] 3- Chase named Veterinarian of the Year by SDVMA [Page] 3- Subscribe to CVM Updates [Page] 4- The Bacteriology Section at SDSU ADRDL [Page] 6- Disposal of Veterinary Sharps in South Dakota [Page] 6- Incoming Freshmen with Pre-Vet Majors at SDSU [Page] 7- 2009—2010 Veterinary Science Scholarship Awards [Page] 7- SDSU Students Accepted to …