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Substance P And The Host Immune Response, Megan Elizabeth Foldenauer

Wayne State University Dissertations

This body of work examined the mechanism by which SP regulates host immunity, specifically, its control of growth factors and TLR expression in the P. aeruginosa-infected cornea. The role of mTOR and VIP in corneal infection and inflammation also was tested.

SP has a dual role in bacterial infection, unexpectedly upregulating growth factor production. This was accompanied by macrophage-specific upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, downregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and upregulation of anti-apoptotic genes, as well as a decrease in arginase-producing macrophages (M2 cells), important in stromal healing in these mice. All of these lead to worsened disease, despite the stimulatory effects …

Impact Of Baiting On Feral Swine Behavior In The Presence Of Culling Activities, Tyler A. Campbell, David B. Long, Michael J. Lavelle, Bruce R. Leland, Terry L. Blankenship, Kurt C. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We studied the effects of baiting on feral swine (Sus scrofa) movements and corresponding likelihood of disease spread under real and simulated culling pressure. Our objectives were to determine the proportion of feral swine that used the bait station site, and if baiting of feral swine altered areas of utilization, distances from location centroids to treatment location (control or bait station), and movement rates by survivors during culling activities. We hypothesized that the bait station would increase the sedentary nature of feral swine, thus reducing the potential for dispersal and hence disease dispersal. Our experiment was conducted between …

Evaluation Of Elevated Bait Trays For Attracting Blackbirds (Icteridae) In Central North Dakota, George M. Linz, Jamison B. Winter, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) became an economically important crop in North Dakota in the 1970s, providing a major source of food for post-breeding blackbirds (Icteridae). Reducing local blackbird populations with rice grains treated with an avicide is one proposed alternative for reducing sunflower damage. In fall 2007 and 2008, we evaluated the idea of attracting blackbirds to rice-baited trays attached to wire cages supplied with live blackbirds. During our observations (1011 h), we saw 3888 birds, consisting of 25 species and 12 families, on the bait trays. Blackbirds made up 90.4% of the bird observations, whereas sparrows (Emberizidae) made …

The Introduction, Impacts, And Management Of A Large, Invasive, Aquatic Rodent In The United States, Gary W. Witmer, Trevor R. Sheffels, Stephen R. Kendrot

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Marshes, both tidal and non-tidal, are productive and complex ecosystems. The water in these systems ranges from fresh, to brackish, to saline as one moves from inland to coastal areas. Marshes are an interface between upland and aquatic habitats, and many biotic and abiotic processes lead to increased species richness and diversity (Gedan et al., 2009). Marshes provide many ecological services, including recharge and discharge of ground water; water quality control; retention, removal, and transformation of nutrients; habitats for many floral and faunal species; biomass production and exports; flood control and storm buffering; and stabilization of sediments and slowing …

Methane And Carbon Dioxide Production From Simulated Anaerobic Degradation Of Cattle Carcasses, Qi Yuan, Samuel Saunders, Shannon L. Bartelt-Hunt

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Approximately 2.2 million cattle carcasses require disposal annually in the United States. Land burial is a convenient disposal method that has been widely used in animal production for disposal of both daily mortalities as well as during catastrophic mortality events. To date, greenhouse gas production after mortality burial has not been quantified, and this study represents the first attempt to quantify greenhouse gas emissions from land burial of animal carcasses. In this study, anaerobic decomposition of both homogenized and unhomogenized cattle carcass material was investigated using bench-scale reactors. Maximum yields of methane and carbon dioxide were 0.33 and 0.09 m …

Discovery, Isolation, And Identification Of Antimalarials From Fungal Endophytes, Andrekeus Lee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We examined fungal endophytes for their ability to inhibit bacterial, fungal and protozoal pathogens. Once antimalarial activity was discovered and confirmed, we sought to isolate and identify the active constituent(s) of our extracts. Bioassay-guided fractionation techniques were used to isolate our active compound, the structure of which was elucidated using 1H- and 13C-NMR. 2D-NMR and LC-MS analyses helped confirm that our endophytes were indeed producing artemisinin. Growth versus production studies were conducted to optimize our growth and extraction conditions while several other variables, like temperature and culture medium, were evaluated in an effort to improve our yields. Artemisinin production under …

Spillover Of Functionally Important Organisms Between Managed And Natural Habitats, Eleanor J. Blitzer, Carsten F. Dormann, Andrea Holzschuh, Alexandra-Maria Klein, Tatyana A. Rand, Teja Tscharntke

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Land-use intensification has led to a landscape mosaic that juxtaposes human-managed and natural areas. In such human-dominated and heterogeneous landscapes, spillover across habitat types, especially in systems that differ in resource availability, may be an important ecological process structuring communities. While there is much evidence for spillover from natural habitats to managed areas, little attention has been given to flow in the opposite direction. This paper synthesizes studies published to date from five functionally important trophic groups, herbivores, pathogens, pollinators, predators, and seed dispersers, and discusses evidence for spillover from managed to natural systems in all five groups. For each …

Influence Of Environmental Temperature On The Physiological, Endocrine, And Immune Responses In Livestock Exposed To A Provocative Immune Challenge, J.A. Carroll, N.C. Burdick, C. C. Chase Jr, S. W. Coleman, D. E. Spiers

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Although livestock experience many stressors throughout their life, one of the most commonly experienced, and most difficult to control, is stress caused by fluctuations in environmental temperatures that extend beyond the thermoneutral (TN) zone for an animal. In swine, cold stress has long been recognized as a main cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. A possible explanation for this increased morbidity and mortality may be related to their inability to generate a febrile response. Previously, we reported that the acute phase immune response, including the generation of fever, after exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS; Escherichia coli O111: B4; Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, …

Indirect Effects Of Parasites In Invasions, Alison M. Dunn, Mark E. Torchin, Melanie J. Hatcher, Peter M. Kotanen, Dana M. Blumenthal, James E. Byers, Courtney A.C. Coon, Victor M. Frankel, Robert D. Holt, Ruth A. Hufbauer, Andrew R. Kanarek, Kristina A. Schierenbeck, Lorne M. Wolfe, Sarah E. Perkins

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

1. Introduced species disrupt native communities and biodiversity worldwide. Parasitic infections (and at times, their absence) are thought to be a key component in the success and impact of biological invasions by plants and animals. They can facilitate or limit invasions, and positively or negatively impact native species.

2. Parasites have not only direct effects on their hosts, but also indirect effects on the species with which their hosts interact. Indirect effects include density-mediated effects (resulting from parasite-induced reduction in host reproduction and survival) as well as trait-mediated indirect effects (resulting from parasite-induced changes in host phenotype, behavior or life …

Persistence Of Mycobacterium Bovis Bacillus Calmette– Guerin (Bcg) Danish In White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) Vaccinated With A Lipid-Formulated Oral Vaccine, M. V. Palmer, T. C. Thacker, W. R. Waters, S. Robbe-Austerman, F. E. Aldwell

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of tuberculosis in animals, has a broad host range, including humans. Historically, public health concerns prompted programs to eradicate tuberculosis from cattle in many nations. Eradication efforts decreased the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis; nevertheless, some countries encountered significant obstacles, not least of which was a wildlife reservoir of M. bovis. Efforts to decrease the size of the affected wildlife populations have neither eliminated disease nor eliminated transmission to cattle. Consequently, the use of a vaccine for wildlife is being explored. The vaccine most studied is M. bovis BCG, an attenuated live vaccine, first …

Susceptibility Of Three Strains Of Blue Catfish, Ictalurus Furcatus (Valenciennes), To Ichthyophthirius Multifiliis, D-H Xu, P.H. Klesius, Brian G. Bosworth, N Chatakondi

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

This study compared the susceptibility of three blue catfish strains (D&B, USDA 101 and USDA 102) to the parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich). In Trial I, a cohabitation study (all strains stocked communally) was conducted and fish were exposed to theronts at 0, 200, 1000, 5000 or 25 000 theronts fish^-1, respectively. All fish died when exposed to theronts at 5000 or 25 000 theronts fish^-1. When exposed to 1000 theronts fish^-1, USDA 102 strain of blue catfish showed significantly lower mortality (78.5%) compared to USDA 101 and D&B strains (92.7% and 100%). In Trial …

Soil Maps Of Wisconsin, Alfred E. Hartemink, Birl Lowery, Carl Wacker

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Legacy soil maps are an important input in digital soil mapping. This paper traces how reconnaissance soil maps in Wisconsin evolved between the 1880s and the present with some discussion on future directions. The first soil map in the USA was made in Wisconsin by the geologist T.C. Chamberlin in 1882. The second soil map of Wisconsin was made by A.R. Whitson in 1927, and the third by F.D. Hole in 1976. Soil texture and physiography were the major diagnostic mapping criteria. As more detailed county soil surveys were completed and knowledge of the soils increased, a higher level of …

National Surveillance For Human And Pet Contact With Oral Rabies Vaccine Baits, 2001–2009, Amira A. Roess, Nancy Rea, Edith Lederman, Virginia Dato, Richard Chipman, Dennis Slate, Mary G. Reynolds, Inger K. Damon, Charles E. Rupprecht

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Objective—To determine the rate and absolute number of human and pet exposures to oral rabies vaccine (ORV) bait containing liquid vaccinia rabies glycoprotein recombinant vaccine and to evaluate factors that might affect human contact with bait to modify the program and reduce human exposure to the vaccine.

Design—Retrospective analysis of surveillance data (2001 to 2009).

Sample—Reports on human and pet contact with ORV baits in states with ORV surveillance programs.

Procedures—Data were collected from passive, multistate ORV surveillance systems in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, …

Psychology And People Living With Hiv/Aids: A Critical Review Of The Literature, David Fischer

Theses and Dissertations

The implications of living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have evolved over the last 30 years. The view of HIV infection as an imminent death sentence has largely disappeared. From a practical perspective, HIV positive status is now medically treated as a chronic illness rather than as a terminal diagnosis. In response, the focus of psychological research and therapeutic practice has evolved to reflect the changing implications of living with HIV. This study documents how psychological literature regarding people living with HIV has changed over the course of the epidemic.

In Silico Prediction Of Protein-Protein Interactions Between Cronobacter Sakazakii And Human Host, Sean Held

Theses

The genus Cronobacter accommodates 16 biogroups of the emerging opportunistic pathogen known formerly as Enterobacter sakazakii. Cronobacter are occasional contaminants of milk powder and, consequently, powdered infant formula (PIT). Since it is a pathogen that is transmitted in infant formula it represents a significant health risk to neonates. These bacteria are opportunistic pathogens (can only cause disease when the host's resistance is low) and are linked with life-threatening infections in neonates. Some of the clinical symptoms of Cronohacter infection include necrotizing enterocolitis, bacteremia, and meningitis, with case fatality rates of 50-80% being reported (Healy et al. 2010). Infant formula manufacturers …

The Use Of Public Relations Tactics In Two Nationwide Fundraising Campaigns In Nonprofit Organisations In Ireland. A Case Study Analysis, Arlene Hogan

Theses

This study aims to analysis the use of public relations in two of Ireland’s nonprofit organisations and their national fundraising campaigns. The two charities chosen were The Mater Foundation and its national fundraising campaign called The Heart Appeal and the second charity is The Irish Heart Foundation and its national campaign called Happy Heart Weekend. The questions that the author will be looking to find are the importance of having PR as part of a nonprofit nationwide fundraising campaign, what PR tactics do these charities use to publicise their national fundraising campaigns in question and does communication play a strategic …

An Assessment Of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria In Biosolid Used As Garden Fertilizer, Gwendolyn Lenore Hartman

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

"Fertilizer grade biosolid is sold to the general public by the Cheney Wastewater Treatment Plant for use as garden fertilizer and as a soil conditioner. Moist biosolid samples were obtained from the Cheney Wastewater Treatment Plant and antibiotic resistant gram negative bacteria were isolated from it. Bacteria isolated from these samples were resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin, streptomycin, kanamycin and chloramphenicol. Tetracycline resistant bacteria were isolated on MacConkey's agar supplemented with tetracycline and their resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol and kanamycin were also determined. A total of 48 isolates cultivated to determine the presence of plasmids which often contain antibiotic resistance …

Examination Of The Prevalence And Persistence Of Pathogenic Staphylococci On Euro Currency, Emma Gabriel

Theses

Staphylococci are a diverse group of bacteria that cause diseases ranging from minor skin infections to life-threatening bacteremia. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is the most common multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen in Europe estimated to cause 170,000 infections resulting in more than 5,000 deaths and additional healthcare costs of approximately €380 million annually (Kock et al., 201 1). Whilst rarely life-threatening, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), in particular S. epidermidis are responsible for the majority of indwelling medical device failures, causing intrinsically resistant biofilm infections, estimated to cost $2 billion per year in additional healthcare costs in the U.S. alone (Otto, 2009).

It is …

Purification And Applications Of A Bacteriophage-Derived Enzyme Chapk Against Problematic Staphylococci., Niamh Marie O'Shea

Theses

The bacteriophage K-derived peptidase CHAPk (Cysteine/Histidine-dependant amidohydrolase peptidase) can be produced from E. coli XL 1-Blue. Standard operating procedures for the production, purification and quality assessment of the peptidase were developed and set out in detail in this thesis. CHAPk exhibits strong antistaphylococcal properties and the purified enzyme was evaluated for its potential to eliminate S. aureus from the bovine udder and from human skin. As a teat dip CHAPk reduced the levels of S. aureus by three to five log cycles on both animal and human surfaces. CHAPk activity in milk was evaluated using challenge assays against the bovine …

Parental Perception Of Child Weight Status In Wangcheng District, Hunan Province, People's Republic Of China, Nichole Buswell

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Objectives: This cross-sectional, quantitative study was designed to describe the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a sample of schoolchildren (age 9-11 years) in central southern China. It also described parental attitudes about childhood overweight, physical activity, and eating patterns. In addition, this study described parental perception of and concern about their child's weight status.

Methods: This study was conducted in June 2011 at three elementary schools located in Wangcheng District, a suburb of Changsha, the capital city of Hunan Province. Child anthropometric data were collected, after which surveys were distributed to be brought home for completion by parents/caregivers.

Results: …

Effect Of Predator Type, Season, Brood Size, And West Nile Virus Infection On The Nest Defense Behavior Of Male And Female Eastern Bluebirds, Kayde Lynn Gilbert

Online Theses and Dissertations

The intensity of nest defense by birds can be influenced by many factors, including a parent's sex, brood size, stage of breeding season, type of predator, and physical condition. Because previous studies have produced conflicting results concerning the effects of these factors on the nest defense behavior of birds, additional studies are needed to better clarify how and why such factors influence behavior. No one to date has examined the possible effect of a viral infection on avian nest defense behavior. Thus, my objectives were to determine the effect of adult sex, brood size, stage of the breeding season, predator …

A Dietary Study Of Big Brown (Eptesicus Fuscus) And Northern Bats (Myotis Septentrionalis) In Western Kentucky, Sarah Elizabeth Asher

Online Theses and Dissertations

Knowledge is lacking regarding the dietary habits of northern (Myotis septentrionalis) and big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in Kentucky. The objective of this study was to determine the prey items consumed by both species at three sites in western Kentucky. Totals of 103 fecal pellet samples from northern bats and 36 fecal pellet samples from big brown bats were collected in 2003 and 2004. Overall prey items found within the samples collected for both species indicated their diets were similar (Sorensen's coefficient; S_S= 0.72); with the most common insect orders being Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and …

The Impact Of International Students On American Students And Faculty At An Appalachian University, My Mustapha Jourdini

Online Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of exposure to international students on American student and faculty perceptions at a regional Appalachian University. A revised and improved version of Jaleh Shabahang's (1993) International Education Opinionnaire was used to survey American students and faculty regarding their perceptions of the educational and cultural impact of international students. The revised instrument also measured American student and faculty perceptions of five ethnic groups of international students. Three independent samples t-tests were administered to compare the views between two American groups: students or faculty in international-related academic departments (IRs) and non-international-related academic departments (NIRs). The first test …

The Influence Of Tail Autotomy On Avoidance Of Chemical Alarm Cues In Northern Zigzag Salamanders, Plethodon Dorsalis, Ivan Thomas Moberly

Online Theses and Dissertations

The morphology and behavior of most species are influenced by predator-prey interactions. To avoid microhabitats that pose an increased predation risk salamanders may use predator avoidance. Salamanders detect chemical alarm cues via the vomeronasal organ and their avoidance of the chemical cues is based upon the apparent associated risk. The objective of this study was to better understand predator avoidance by means of chemical alarm cues in northern zigzag salamanders, Plethodon dorsalis. Adult salamanders were placed into Petri dishes with a choice between treated substrate (filter paper treated with chemical cues) or untreated substrate (filter paper treated with distilled water). …

Determination Of Acute Phase Proteins After Experimental Streptococcus Iniae Infection In Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus L.), Azi̇me Küçükgül Güleç, İbrahi̇m Cengi̇zler

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758) were infected with Streptococcus iniae (Cat No: ATCC 29178) and the plasma changes in the acute phase protein (APP) members were examined at different time periods. A total of 72 fish with average body weights of 60 g were used. Fish in the infected group (group I) were intraperitoneally injected with S. iniae at 3.3 × 10^5 colony forming unit (CFU) in 0.1 mL level to the fish. The other group (group II) was subjected to handling stress near the infection. The control group was constituted by providing optimum conditions. On days 7, 14, and …

Avian Influenza Virus In Migratory And Resident Birds During Migratory Season In Boushehr, Iran, Mohammad Javad Mehrabanpour, Abdolah Rahimian, Ali Shirazinezad, Hossein Moein, Mohammad Amin Shayanfar

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Avian influenza (AI) is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. Among these AI viruses, only serotypes H5 and H7 are considered highly pathogenic in poultry. However, serotype H9N2 has also been found to produce severe respiratory tract infections in chickens. Migratory birds of the world are a natural reservoir of influenza viruses of all subtypes. This is the first report of isolation and molecular survey of AI virus from migratory and wild resident birds in Boushehr, Iran. These areas are at risk for the spread and transmission of influenza A viruses. A …

A Pilot Online Survey Assessing Risk Factors For Hiv Acquisition In The Navy And Marine Corps, 2005-2010, Shilpa Hakre, Adam W. Armstrong, Robert J. O'Connell, Nelson L. Michael, Paul T. Scott, David Brett-Major

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

The Department of Defense policy Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) ended in September, 2011. The Navy Bloodborne Infection Management Center conducted a post-DADT pilot survey of HIV seroconverters identified when the DADT policy was in effect. Sailors and Marines newly diagnosed as HIV positive from 2005 to 2010 were invited to participate in an online survey. A structured questionnaire elicited risk information about the 3-year period before HIV diagnosis. Respondents reported engaging commonly in same sex sexual activity, having concurrent partners, and poor condom use for anal sex. In this first post-DADT repeal report of self-reported behaviors, male-to-male sexual contact …

Epidemiology Of Contemporary Seroincident Hiv Infection In The Navy And Marine Corps, David Brett-Major, Shilpa Hakre, Neal A. Naito, Adam Armstrong, Eric A. Bower, Nelson L. Michael, Paul T. Scott

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection continues at a steady rate among U.S. Sailors and Marines. This study provides the first service-specific description of HIV infection demographics. All Sailors and Marines identified as HIV infected between January 2005 and August 2010 were included. The project compared personnel and epidemiologic data, and tested reposed sera in the Department of Defense Serum Repository. This group comprised 410 Sailors and 86 Marines, predominantly men. HIV infected Marines were more likely to be foreign born than their Navy counterparts, 42% versus 10%, p < 0.001. Approximately half of the patients had deployed including to the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. Nearly half of each group was infected by the age of 25. Similar to the U.S. epidemic, Black race was over-represented. Unlike national rates, Hispanic Sailors and Marines were not over-represented. Demographics were distinct for those of specific occupational specialties. Certain ship classes carried lower incidences. Clustering of HIV infection risk occurred around deployment. The Navy and Marine Corps have different patterns of HIV infection, which may merit distinct approaches to prevention. The Navy may have unique targets for prevention efforts to include pipeline training and first assignment as well as particular occupational environments.

Detection And Characterization Of Pyromarkers Of Smoked Drugs Of Abuse, Rona Kiyomi Nishikawa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Smoking or inhalation has increased in popularity as the choice route of administration of drugs of abuse amongst drug abusers. Combustion products associated with the smoking event (pyromarkers) of these smoked drugs of abuse can be useful in post mortem toxicological analysis both for investigative and public health applications. A method using analytical pyrolysis was developed to simulate the smoking process used for illicit drugs, which is significantly different than methods used for studies of conventional tobacco smoking, This method was used to identify possible markers associated smoked fentanyl and mixes of heroin and fentanyl. Thermocouple temperature probes were used …

Compositional And Functional Characteristics Of Materials Recovered From Headed Gutted Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix) By Isoelectric Solubilization And Precipitation Using Organic Acids, Ilgin Paker

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) is one of the main freshwater fish species with a high nutritional value; however, it is hard to process the fish due to its boney carcass. Therefore, isoelectric solubilization and precipitation (ISP) processing was applied to headed gutted silver carp to separate the protein from the bones, scales, skin, fins, etc. Different solubilization strategies (pH 2.5, 3.0. 11.5 and 12.0) using organic acids, either acetic acid (AA) or a 30% formic and lactic acid combination (F&L), were applied during ISP and the different effects of treatments on the materials recovered from the initial silver carp were …