Life Sciences Commons^™

Crystallization And Preliminary X-Ray Analysis Of Na-Asp-1, A Multi-Domain Pathogenesis-Related-1 Protein From The Human Hookworm Parasite Necator Americanus, Oluwatoyin A. Asojo, Alex Loukas, Mehmet Inan, Rick Barent, Jicai Huang, Brad Plantz, Amber Swanson, Mark Gouthro, Michael M. Meagher, Peter J. Hotez

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Faculty Publications

Human hookworm infection is a major cause of anemia and malnutrition in the developing world. In an effort to control hookworm infection, the Human Hookworm Vaccine Initiative has identified candidate vaccine antigens from the infective larval stage (L3) of the parasite, including a family of pathogenesis-related-1 (PR-1) proteins known as the ancylostoma-secreted proteins (ASPs). The functions of the ASPs are unknown. In addition, it is unclear why some ASPs have one while others have multiple PR-1 domains. There are no known structures of a multi-domain ASP and in an effort to remedy this situation, recombinant Na-ASP-1 has been expressed, …

Bears Remain Top Summer Predators, Shannon M. Barber, L. David Mech, P. J. White

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

In the ten years since wolves (Canis lupus) were restored to Yellowstone National Park (YNP), elk (Cervus elaphus) numbers have substantially decreased. The northern range elk herd is the largest elk herd in Yellowstone, and constitutes the majority of the park’s elk population. During 1994–2005, early winter counts of northern Yellowstone elk decreased from 19,045 to 9,545. Also, during winters 2000–2004, calf:cow ratios declined from 29:100 to 12:100, and were among the lowest recorded during the past several decades. Though many factors (e.g., predation, hunting, and drought) likely contributed to this decreasing abundance and low recruitment, …

Decline And Recovery Of A High Arctic Wolf-Prey System, L. David Mech

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

A long-existing system of wolves (Canis lupus), muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus), and arctic hares (Lepus arcticus) in a 2600 km² area of Canada’s High Arctic (80° N latitude) began collapsing in 1997 because of unusual adverse summer weather but recovered to a level at which all three species were reproducing by 2004. Recovery of wolf presence and reproduction appeared to be more dependent on muskox increase than on hare increase.

Un vieux système biologique composé de loups (Canis lupus), de boeufs musqués (Ovibos moschatus) et de lièvres arctiques (Lepus …

Replication And Encapsidation Of Papillomaviruses In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Peter C. Angeletti

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Improvements in methodologies to recapitulate and study particular biological functions of the

papillomavirus life cycle have led to great advances in our knowledge of these viruses. Described in

this chapter are techniques that allow low-copy and high-copy replication of full-length human

papillomavirus (HPV) genomes, as well as assembly of virus-like particles, in Saccharomyces

cerevisiae (yeast). This system has several distinct advantages that make it an attractive complement

to the well-established raft-culturing system. First, yeast are inexpensive, rapid, and simple to culture

in the lab. Second, they provide an ever-widening array of genetic tools to analyze HPV functions

—most recently notable, …

Weed Suppression By Deleterious Rhizobacteria Is Affected By Formulation And Soil Properties, Robert E. Zdor, Carlene M. Alexander, Robert J. Kremer

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

Deleterious rhizobacteria (DRB) suppress weed growth in field tests and are considered potential weed biological control agents. This study compared the relative inhibitory action of the DRB Pseudomonas fluorescens strain G2-11 in different formulations, corn gluten meal (CGM), and semolina flour, toward wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), green foxtail (Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.), and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik) seeds and seedlings in soil assays. Strain G2-11 successfully established in semolina flour as an inoculum formulation but was incompatible with CGM presumably because of antibacterial factors present. The effect of DRB and plant products on seed germination and plant …

Biodiversity And Ecology Of Soil Oribatid Mites (Acari: Oribatida) In The Grassland Habitats Of Eastern Mongolia, Badamdorj Bayartogtokh

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Composition, abundance, distribution, and diversity of oribatid mite communities were investigated at five study areas in Eastern Mongolia. A total of 88 species of oribatid mites were recorded from the studied areas. The largest number of species (51 spp.) was found in the habitats of river valleys, while the plain steppe which covers the largest area contained the lowest species richness (24 spp.). Three other sub-regions with similar landscape types show approximately the same species richness (39 to 45 spp.), although they are located relatively far from each other. The oribatid mite faunas of all sub-regions were essentially similar to …

Role Of The Hypervariable Hinge Region Of Phosphoprotein P Of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus In Viral Rna Synthesis And Assembly Of Infectious Virus Particles, Subash C. Das, Asit K. Pattnaik

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The phosphoprotein (P protein) of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is an essential subunit of the viral RNAdependent RNA polymerase and has multiple functions residing in its different domains. In the present study, we examined the role of the hypervariable hinge region of P protein in viral RNA synthesis and recovery of infectious VSV by using transposon-mediated insertion mutagenesis and deletion mutagenesis. We observed that insertions of 19-amino-acid linker sequences at various positions within this region affected replication and transcription functions of the P protein to various degrees. Interestingly, one insertion mutant was completely defective in both transcription and replication. Using …

Second Report Of The North Dakota Bird Records Committee: 2002-2003, Dan Svingen, Ron E. Martin

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Since 1979, North Dakota's bird records committee has collected, evaluated, and archived documentations of rare bird occurrences in the state. In 2002 and 2003 this committee resolved 202 rare bird records. On the basis of this review, seven species were added to the North Dakota state bird list: common crane (Grus grus) , lesser black-backed gull (Larus juscus), acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes jormicivorus), plumbeous vireo (Vireo plumbeus), Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), prairie warbler (Dendroica discolor), and Cassin's finch (Carpodacus cassinii). Evidence was accepted that established Northern saw-whet …

A Retrospective Analysis Of Known And Potential Risks Associated With Exotic Toadflax-Feeding Insects, Sharlene E. Sing, Robert K.D. Peterson, David K. Weaver, Richard W. Hansen, George P. Markin

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

To date, eight exotic toadflax-feeding insect species have been accidentally or intentionally introduced to North America. Reports on their establishment and impact have been recorded for more than 60 years. Environmental risks linked to biological control of toadflax were identified in terms of host resources and undesirable impacts on the target species through the critical review of this record. Data gaps revealed during this retrospective analysis are addressed through suggestions for future research and associated experimental methodologies. Known and potential impacts of toadflax-feeding insects on both invasive toadflax and non-target species are examined. Recent programmatic demands for demonstrated agent efficacy …

Environmental Quality Incentives Program Contributions To Fish And Wildlife Conservation, Mark W. Berkland, Charles A. Rewa

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program whereby the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides technical and financial assistance to active farmers and ranchers to address natural resource concerns such as soil conservation, water quality and quantity, nutrient management, and fish and wildlife habitat. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working with these landowners to maximize the environmental benefits gained for the expenditures made in the program. Funding has expanded significantly under the 2002 Farm Bill, with the amount of annual funding authorized reaching $1.3 billion by fiscal year 2007. The EQIP has been used to implement …

Wildlife Benefi Ts Of The Wetlands Reserve Program, Charles A. Rewa

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Since its initial authorization in 1990, more than 1.6 million acres of primarily drained or degraded wetlands on agricultural lands have been enrolled in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and its partners are working with landowners to restore these lands to ecologically productive wetland and upland buffer habitats. Numerous studies have documented the value of restored and created wetlands to fish and wildlife resources. However, few objective studies have been completed that document fish and wildlife response to wetlands enrolled in and restored through WRP. Preliminary results of some …

Biology And Biological Control Of Knapweed, Linda M. Wilson, Carol Bell Randall

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The knapweeds comprise a diverse complex of species that predominantly infest rangelands in the western United States and Canada. This manual considers the biological control of six species of knapweeds: 1) spotted knapweed, 2) diffuse knapweed, 3) squarrose knapweed, 4) meadow knapweed, 5) black knapweed, and 6) brown knapweed. Spotted knapweed, Centaurea stoebe, is perhaps the most widespread species, followed in abundance by diffuse knapweed, C. diffusa. A third species, squarrose knapweed, C. virgata var. squarrosa, has a more limited distribution in the West. Three less widespread species, meadow (C. pratensis), brown (C. jacea …

Winter Feeding Sites Of Hay In Round Bales As Major Developmental Sites Of Stomoxys Calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae) In Pastures In Spring And Summer, Alberto B. Broce, Jerome Hogsette, Steven Paisley

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

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), historically has been a pest of livestock in confined operations but seldom of animals on pastures or rangelands. In the past two decades, however, S. calcitrans has become a major pest of cattle and horses on pastures in the midwestern United States. Although there usually is an overabundance of diverse stable fly and house fly, Musca domestica L., larval habitats in confined livestock operations, no larval habitat for stable flies has been clearly identified in the pasture-range environment. Because the winter feeding of hay in round bales results in significant amounts of hay wastage …

Field Assessment Of The Risk Posed By Diorhabda Elongata, A Biocontrol Agent For Control Of Saltcedar (Tamarix Spp.), To A Nontarget Plant, Frankenia Salina, Tom L. Dudley, David J. Kazmer

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

The biological control program for saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) has led to open releases of a specialist beetle (Chrysomelidae: Diorhabda elongata) in several research locations, but the controversy over potential impacts to native, nontarget plants of the genus Frankenia remains unresolved. To assess the potential for nontarget impacts under Weld conditions, we installed cultivated Frankenia spp. (primarily two forms of Frankenia salina but also including Frankenia jamesii) at locations in Nevada and Wyoming where D. elongata densities and saltcedar defoliation were expected to be very high, so insects would be near starvation with high probability of attacking nontargets …

Global Warming Is Changing The Dynamics Of Arctic Host-Parasite Systems, S. J. Kutz, Eric P. Hoberg, L. Polley, E. J. Jenkins

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Global climate change is altering the ecology of infectious agents and driving the emergence of disease in people, domestic animals, and wildlife. We present a novel, empirically based, predictive model for the impact of climate warming on development rates and availability of an important parasitic nematode of muskoxen in the Canadian Arctic, a region that is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Using this model, we show that warming in the Arctic may have already radically altered the transmission dynamics of this parasite, escalating infection pressure for muskoxen, and that this trend is expected to continue. This work establishes a foundation …

Caudal Polymorphism And Cephalic Morphology Among First-Stage Larvae Of Parelaphostrongylus Odocoilei (Protostrongylidae: Elaphostrongylinae) In Dall’S Sheep From The Mackenzie Mountains, Canada, Eric P. Hoberg, Emily J. Jenkins, Benjamin Rosenthal, Mayee Wong, Eric F. Erbe, Susan J. Kutz, Lydden Polley

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

We demonstrate polymorphism in the structure of the tail among first-stage larvae of Parelaphostrongylus odocoilei (Protostrongylidae). Two distinct larvae, both with a characteristic dorsal spine, include (1) a morphotype with a kinked conical tail marked by three distinct transverse folds or joints and a symmetrical terminal tail spike and (2) a morphotype with a digitate terminal region lacking folds or joints and with an asymmetrical, subterminal tail spike. These divergent larval forms had been postulated as perhaps representing distinct species of elaphostrongyline nematodes. Application of a multilocus approach using ITS-2 sequences from the nuclear genome and COX-II sequences from the …

Phylogeny For Genera Of Nematodirinae (Nematoda: Trichostrongylina), Eric P. Hoberg, J. Ralph Lichtenfels, Lora G. Rickard

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Monophyly for the Nematodirinae, with five genera, Murielus, Rauschia, Nematodiroides, Nematodirus, and Nematodirella was confirmed based on comparative morphology and phylogenetic analysis of structural characters. This concept for the nematodirines excludes the monotypic Lamanema chavezi, but otherwise corroborates generic-level diversity as defined in prior studies. Exhaustive analysis resulted in one most parsimonious tree (36 steps; consistency index [CI] = 0.94; retention index [RI] = 0.93; excluding phylogenetically uninformative characters, CI = 0.92). As an inclusive or monophyletic group, Nematodirinae was diagnosed by eight synapomorphies (seven are unequivocal): (1) large eggs, (2) long filiform spicules, (3) basal division of …

Press Conference, John Owens

John Owens: Speeches and Appearances

*Here in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, home to the National Drought Mitigation Center, we often say we are partners with Nebraska. This wonderful three year partnership between the USDA's Risk Management Agency, the National Drought Mitigation Center, and UNL's Department of Computer Science and Engineering to devote more than $7 million in new federal funding to further refine Web tools to help ag producers and others in our country monitor drought impacts and manage its risks is of real value both for our state and our world.

Lead Luncheon, John Owens

John Owens: Speeches and Appearances

I'm so delighted to be here today to provide an update on the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. It's a treat to share some Institute highlights to let you know not only what your land-grant university is doing to benefit you and your neighbors, but also what you have to be proud of here.

Lead Presentation, John Owens

John Owens: Speeches and Appearances

Thank you for inviting us to share with you some information about the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and what we are doing for Nebraska. As a stakeholder in Nebraska's land-grant university, you and every other Nebraskan have every right at any time to ask us what we've done for you and your neighbors lately. We welcome the question. There is so much excellent work being accomplished on this campus and throughout Nebraska that I am delighted each time I have the opportunity to talk about it. The biggest problem I find is stopping - there's always so much …

University Of Nebraska/Kimmel Education And Research Center Groundbreaking, John Owens

John Owens: Speeches and Appearances

It's really exciting to be here this afternoon as we officially celebrate breaking ground for the University of Nebraska/Kimmel Education and Research Center. We in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln are so pleased to be part of this celebration. We look forward to all the good work that will be accomplished here to benefit Nebraska.

Ribbon Cutting At Kimmel Education And Research Center, John Owens

John Owens: Speeches and Appearances

It is marvelously fitting that we gather here in Nebraska City on this lovely fall afternoon to officially celebrate this wonderful new center. Fall is a traditional-time of harvest in Nebraska, and for many of us there is a deep and abiding satisfaction in bringing a good crop to fruition. Apple harvests at Nebraska City orchards long have brought visitors here each year for fresh fruit and cider.

Dinsdale Family Luncheon, John Owens

John Owens: Speeches and Appearances

It's such a treat to be here today to have this opportunity to bring together members of the Dinsdale family, whose generosity makes our Dinsdale Family Faculty Awards possible, and this year's recipients of those awards in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Agriculture Builders Of Nebraska, Inc. Annual Meeting, John Owens

John Owens: Speeches and Appearances

Let me start today by saying thank you. Thank you, each of you, for your strong support of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the University of Nebraska.

Nebraska Hall Of Agricultural Achievement, John Owens

John Owens: Speeches and Appearances

I am delighted to be present tonight to celebrate the achievements of these wonderful and worthy new additions to the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement. It's a real treat to have this opportunity to focus on recognizing some very special Nebraskans who are so deserving of their honors. I can think of few experiences more gratifying than those in which we all get to say a heartfelt “well done and thank you” to those people who make significant contributions to the world around them by the way they live their lives and by the places they choose to put their …

Redescription And New Host Record Of Eimeria Serbica From The Caucasian Tree Squirrel, Sciurus Anomalus, From Turkey, Lee Couch, Atilla Arslan, Donald W. Duszynski

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Fecal samples from 20 Caucasian tree squirrels, Sciurus anomalus (Gmelin, 1778) Güldenstaedt, 1785, were collected in Turkey during February and March, 2004, and all 20 were infected with a single species of coccidia, Eimeria serbica. Sporulated oocysts are ellipsoidal, 27.5 × 17.5 (21–34 × 15–20) with a length:width ratio (L/W) of 1.6 (1.4–1.8); they lack a micropyle and oocyst residuum, but 0–2 polar granules may be present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 11.9 × 6.9 (10.5–14 × 6–7.5) with a L/W of 1.7 (1.5–2.1); a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present.

Pathogenic New Species Of Eimeria From The Pygmy Rabbit, Brachylagus Idahoensis, In Washington And Oregon, With Description Of The Sporulated Oocyst And Intestinal Endogenous Stages, Donald W. Duszynski, Lisa Harrenstien, Lee Couch, Michael M. Garner

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

In January 2003, fecal samples from 13 live pygmy rabbits, Brachylagus idahoensis (Merriam, 1891), were collected at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, Oregon, and sent to the University of New Mexico (UNM), Albuquerque, New Mexico, to be examined for coccidia. In July 2004, 14 more fecal samples were collected and sent to UNM, 6 from some of the same rabbits and 8 from 16 other rabbits (4 were pooled samples from siblings). In addition, tissue sections from 3 dead rabbits (2 from the Oregon Zoo, 1 from Washington State University) also were examined. Two of 4 (50%) pooled fecal samples …

Phylogenetic Relationships Of Palaeacanthocephala (Acanthocephala) Inferred From Ssu And Lsu Rdna Gene Sequences, Martín García-Varela, Steven A. Nadler

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

The Palaeacanthocephala is traditionally represented by 2 orders, Echinorhynchida and Polymorphida, with 10 and 3 families, respectively. To test the monophyly of the class, these 2 orders, and certain families, phylogenies were inferred using nuclear small-subunit (SSU) and large-subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA sequences obtained for 29 species representing 10 families, 2 other classes of acanthocephalans, and 3 rotifer outgroups. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred by analyzing combined SSU and LSU sequences using maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. Parsimony and ML trees inferred from combined analysis of these rDNA data strongly supported monophyly of Palaeacanthocephala and provided good resolution …

Pseudostertagia Bullosa (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea) In Artiodactyl Hosts From North America: Redescription And Comments On Systematics, Eric P. Hoberg, A. Abrams

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

A relationship for Pseudostertagia bullosa within the trichostrongyloids has been enigmatic or unresolved. Studies of the synlophe in males and females of P. bullosa revealed a tapering system anterior to the deirids and a pattern of parallel ridges extending to near the caudal extremity in both lateral and median fields. Structurally, the synlophe differs considerably from that seen among the Cooperiinae and exhibits homoplasy with respect to ridge systems among some Ostertagiinae. Other structural characters due to symplesiomorphy, homoplasy or because they represent autapomorphies do not serve to reveal the putative relationships for P. bullosa with other trichostrongyloids. Although somewhat …

Molecular Phylogenetics And Diagnosis Of Anisakis, Pseudoterranova, And Contracaecum From Northern Pacific Marine Mammals, Steven A. Nadler, Stefano D'Amelio, Murray D. Dailey, Lia Paggi, Sandra Siu, Jusy A. Sakanari

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Individual specimens of Anisakis, Pseudoterranova, and Contracaecum collected from marine mammals inhabiting northern Pacific waters were used for comparative diagnostic and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Forty-eight new sequences were obtained for this study of 14 Anisakis taxa, 8 Pseudoterranova taxa, 4 Contracaecum taxa, and 4 outgroup species. Partial 28S (LSU) and complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2) ribosomal DNA was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. Sequences of ITS indicated that Pseudoterranova specimens from Zalophus californianus (California sea lion), Mirounga angustirostris (northern elephant seal), Phoca vitulina (harbor seal), Enhydra lutris (sea otter), and Eumetopias jubatus (Steller’s …