The O-Ag Antibody Response to Francisella Is Distinct in Rodents and Higher Animals and Can Serve as a Correlate of Protection.

Identifying correlates of protection (COPs) for vaccines against lethal human (Hu) pathogens, such as (), is problematic, as clinical trials are currently untenable and the relevance of various animal models can be controversial. Previously, Hu trials with the live vaccine strain (LVS) demonstrated ~80% vaccine efficacy against low dose (~50 CFU) challenge; however, protection deteriorated with higher challenge doses (~2000 CFU of SchuS4) and no COPs were established. Here, we describe our efforts to develop clinically relevant, humoral COPs applicable to high-dose, aerosol challenge with S4.

A multiplexed, next generation sequencing platform for high-throughput detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Population scale sweeps of viral pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2, require high intensity testing for effective management. Here, we describe "Systematic Parallel Analysis of RNA coupled to Sequencing for Covid-19 screening" (C19-SPAR-Seq), a multiplexed, scalable, readily automated platform for SARS-CoV-2 detection that is capable of analyzing tens of thousands of patient samples in a single run. To address strict requirements for control of assay parameters and output demanded by clinical diagnostics, we employ a control-based Precision-Recall and Receiver Operator Characteristics (coPR) analysis to assign run-specific quality control metrics.

Contribution of Clinically Derived Mutations in the Gene Encoding the Zinc Cluster Transcription Factor Mrr2 to Fluconazole Antifungal Resistance and Expression in .

Mutations in genes encoding zinc cluster transcription factors (ZCFs) such as , , and play a key role in azole antifungal resistance. Artificial activation of the ZCF Mrr2 has shown increased expression of the gene encoding the Cdr1 efflux pump and resistance to fluconazole. Amino acid substitutions in Mrr2 have recently been reported to contribute to fluconazole resistance in clinical isolates.

Fitness Tradeoffs of Antibiotic Resistance in Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli.

Evolutionary trade-offs occur when selection on one trait has detrimental effects on other traits. In pathogenic microbes, it has been hypothesized that antibiotic resistance trades off with fitness in the absence of antibiotic. Although studies of single resistance mutations support this hypothesis, it is unclear whether trade-offs are maintained over time, due to compensatory evolution and broader effects of genetic background.

Oxyma-based phosphates for racemization-free peptide segment couplings.

Glyceroacetonide-Oxyma [(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl 2-cyano-2-(hydroxyimino)acetate (1)] displayed remarkable physico-chemical properties as an additive for peptide-forming reactions. Although racemization-free amide-forming reactions have been established for N-urethane-protected α-amino acids with EDCI, 1, and NaHCO3 in water or DMF-water media, amide-forming reactions of N-acyl-protected α-amino acids and segment couplings of oligopeptides still require further development. Diethylphosphoryl-glyceroacetonide-oxyma (DPGOx 3) exhibits relative stability in aprotic solvents and is an effective coupling reagent for N-acyl-protected α-amino acids and oligo peptide segments.

Responses of the crab Heterozius rotundifrons to heterospecific chemical alarm cues: phylogeny vs. ecological overlap.

The big-handed brachyuran crab Heterozius rotundifrons extends the time spent in its anti-predator posture, limb extended posture, if exposed to chemical cues from crushed conspecifics. In this study, we tested whether crabs also respond to chemical cues from crushed heterospecific crabs, and if so, whether phylogenetic relations or ecological overlap is more important in influencing the duration of the anti-predator posture. Chemical cues from two other brachyuran crabs (Cyclograpsus lavauxi and Hemigrapsus sexdentatus), which do not overlap directly in ecological distribution with H.

Contingencies in the behaviour of the crab Heterozius rotundifrons.

We recorded the responses of individual intertidal crabs, Heterozius rotundifrons, to stimuli presented singly and in combinations in the laboratory. Undisturbed crabs did not respond to the introduction of odour from a crushed conspecific but did respond strongly to food odour. Undisturbed crabs responded equally to food odour alone and a combination of food and odour from a crushed conspecific.

Comparative study of hermit crab responses to shell-related chemical cues.

The responses of Australian hermit crabs to two types of shell-related odor cues were compared. Introduction of gastropod snail odor elicited an increase in grasping of shells in all four species tested (Clibanarius infraspinatus, C. taeniatus, C.

Crayfish feeding responses to zebra mussels depend on microorganisms and learning.

Three species of crayfish (Orconectes virilis, O. rusticus, andCambarus robustus) were tested for feeding responses to potential food odors from mollusks (either zebra mussels,Dreissena polymorpha, or native gastropods). In all three crayfish species, feeding responses to odor cues were shown only by individuals experienced with feeding on a prey type.

Alarm responses in the crayfishOrconectes virilis andOrconectes propinquus.

Individuals of two species of crayfish (Orconectes virilis andO. propinquus) were tested in the laboratory for responses to chemicals released from physically damaged conspecifics. Individuals ofO.

Source and nature of disturbance-chemical system in crayfish.

The responses of crayfish to water from aquaria containing either undisturbed or disturbed animals were observed. The crayfishOrconectes propinquus andO. rusticus showed no response to disturbed-conspecific water.

Additional sources of disturbance pheromone affecting the crayfish : Orconectes virilis.

The responses of individually housed crayfish (Orconectes virilis) were recorded during introduction of water from aquaria containing disturbed or undisturbed animals. When femaleO. virilis were disturbed, form II males assumed low-level altert postures significantly more than when those females were undisturbed.

Disturbance pheromones in the crayfishOrconectes virilis.

The reactions of individual crayfish to the introduction of waters from tanks containing other individuals were recorded to test for the release of chemicals by stressed crayfish. FemaleOrconectes virilis and maleO. rusticus did not show responses to stressed crayfish.

Chemical detection of sex and condition in the crayfishOrconectes virilis.

Individual crayfish (Orconectes virilis) were tested for responses to water containing conspecific individuals of several sex-status categories. Isolated males did not react to "self" water but did show aggressive postures while isolated, nonself male water was introduced. Males' responses to female water was different from responses to male water.

Pregnancy and diabetes.

Pregnancy in the diabetic is no longer the universal tragedy for mother and child that it once was but avoidable fetal loss wil continue to occur unless gestational diabetes is detected, and unless meticulous control and monitoring of the insulin dependent diabetic is maintained. As Kinch has so succinctly stated "careful composite chemical control oa cooperative patient" is pivotal.

Sex recognition in the crayfish Procambarus clarkii.

Male crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, show different behaviors toward males (aggression) and females (submission, courtship). Behavioral and neurophysiological tests with water in which the crayfish had been held demonstrated the existence of sex pheromones. The inner rami of the antennules are the site of reception, and the chemicals are probably carbohydrates.