Risk of COVID-19 Reinfection and Vaccine Breakthrough Infection, Madera County, California, 2021.

COVID-19 vaccine efficacy has been evaluated in controlled clinical trials and serves as a benchmark for evaluating the protection acquired from prior COVID-19 infection ("natural immunity"). A cohort of persons with a prior COVID-19 infection was matched to a cohort of COVID-19 vaccinated persons and the risk of reinfection post-COVID-19 infection was compared to the risk of a COVID-19 infection post-vaccination. The hazard ratio (HR) for risk of reinfection from day 90 to 300 after initial COVID-19 infection vs.

Sediment quality classification in freshwater lakes predicted by the history of treatment with copper-based aquatic algaecides.

Copper-based aquatic algaecides have been widely used in the management of aquatic macrophyte and harmful algal blooms for decades due to their effectiveness and low cost. However, repeated treatment of freshwater lakes results in the accumulation of copper in the sediment, which may adversely affect the ecosystem of the lakes through toxicity to benthic invertebrates and other organisms. Consequently, copper-based aquatic herbicides and algaecides have been frequently subjected to regulations aimed at preventing further ecological deterioration in treated waterbodies.

Patterns and trends of fish mercury in New York State.

In the mid-2000s a survey was conducted to evaluate fish mercury in lakes across New York State. Approximately 10 years later a second survey examining adult sportfish from 103 lakes and reservoirs was conducted to evaluate the response of fish mercury to recent declines in US mercury emissions. Of those lakes, 43 were part of the earlier survey and were examined to determine if mercury concentrations in four popular sport species, Yellow Perch, Walleye, and Small- and Largemouth Bass, declined in response to decreasing emissions.

Declining Aluminum Toxicity and the Role of Exposure Duration on Brook Trout Mortality in Acidified Streams of the Adirondack Mountains, New York, USA.

Mortality of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis and water chemistry were characterized in 6 headwater streams in the western Adirondacks of New York during spring 2015, 2016, and 2017 and compared with results from analogous tests done between 1980 and 2003 in many of the same streams, to assess temporal changes in toxicity and inorganic monomeric aluminum (Al ) concentrations, and the role of Al exposure duration on brook trout survival. The Al concentrations of 2 and 4 µmol L corresponded to low-to-moderate and high mortality thresholds, but prolonged exposure to ≥1 µmol Al  L also produced mortality. The variability, mean, and highest Al concentrations in Buck Creek year round, and in several other streams during spring, have decreased significantly over the past 3 decades.

A virion-associated protein kinase induces apoptosis.

Apoptosis and inhibition of host gene expression are often associated with virus infections. Many viral polypeptides modulate apoptosis by direct interaction with highly conserved apoptotic pathways. Some viruses induce apoptosis during late stages of the infection cycle, while others inhibit apoptosis to facilitate replication or maintain persistent infection.

A systems genetic analysis of high density lipoprotein metabolism and network preservation across mouse models.

We report a systems genetic analysis of high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in an F2 intercross between inbred strains CAST/EiJ and C57BL/6J. We previously showed that there are dramatic differences in HDL metabolism in a cross between these strains, and we now report co-expression network analysis of HDL that integrates global expression data from liver and adipose with relevant metabolic traits. Using data from a total of 293 F2 intercross mice, we constructed weighted gene co-expression networks and identified modules (subnetworks) associated with HDL and clinical traits.

Ecological risk of methylmercury to piscivorous fish of the Great Lakes region.

Contamination of fish populations with methylmercury is common in the region of the Laurentian Great Lakes as a result of atmospheric deposition and methylation of inorganic mercury. Using fish mercury monitoring data from natural resource agencies and information on tissue concentrations injurious to fish, we conducted a screening-level risk assessment of mercury to sexually mature female walleye (Sander vitreus), northern pike (Esox lucius), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in the Great Lakes and in interior lakes, impoundments, and rivers of the Great Lakes region. The assessment included more than 43,000 measurements of mercury in fish from more than 2000 locations.

The relationship between Adirondack lake pH and levels of mercury in yellow perch.

Levels of total mercury in yellow perch Perca flavescens from Adirondack lakes were studied in relation to characteristics of the lakes to determine why some lakes had fish with higher concentrations of mercury. Almost all mercury in fish is in the form of methylmercury, which can pose significant health hazards to humans who consume such fish. Fish mercury concentrations and water chemistry data were analyzed from eight Adirondack lakes.

Endoscopic basilic vein transposition for hemodialysis access.

Background: Hemodialysis access by autogenous arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) is generally recommended due to lower mortality, morbidity, and cost vs graft and catheter use. Many dialysis patients lack the common superficial veins used for standard AVF options and require transposition of a deep vein for autogenous dialysis access through a long open incision (open/AVF-T). These operations may require prolonged time for healing, thus extending catheter-based dialysis.

Trends in mercury concentrations in New York State fish.

Atmospheric emissions of mercury in the US are being reduced, but worldwide mercury emissions remain high. Mercury is also being removed from many consumer items. Changes over time in mercury concentrations in fish remain important to resource managers and the general public.

Modulation of iridovirus-induced apoptosis by endocytosis, early expression, JNK, and apical caspase.

Chilo iridescent virus (CIV) is the type species for the family Iridoviridae, which are large, isometric, cytoplasmic dsDNA viruses. We examined the mechanism of apoptosis induction by CIV. High CIV doses (CIV(XS); 400 microg/ml), UV-irradiated virus (CIV(UV); 10 microg/ml) and CVPE (CIV protein extract; 10 microg/ml) induced apoptosis in 60% of treated Choristoneura fumiferana (IPRI-CF-124T) cells.

Genomewide clonal analysis of lethal mutations in the Drosophila melanogaster eye: comparison of the X chromosome and autosomes.

Using a large consortium of undergraduate students in an organized program at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), we have undertaken a functional genomic screen in the Drosophila eye. In addition to the educational value of discovery-based learning, this article presents the first comprehensive genomewide analysis of essential genes involved in eye development. The data reveal the surprising result that the X chromosome has almost twice the frequency of essential genes involved in eye development as that found on the autosomes.

Discovery-based science education: functional genomic dissection in Drosophila by undergraduate researchers.

How can you combine professional-quality research with discovery-based undergraduate education? The UCLA Undergraduate Consortium for Functional Genomics provides the answer