RNA sequencing least shrew () brainstem and gut transcripts following administration of a selective substance P neurokinin NK receptor agonist and antagonist expands genomics resources for emesis research.

The least shrew is among the subset of animals that are capable of vomiting and therefore serves as a valuable research model for investigating the biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, and genomics of emesis. Both nausea and vomiting are associated with a variety of illnesses (bacterial/viral infections, bulimia, exposure to toxins, gall bladder disease), conditions (pregnancy, motion sickness, emotional stress, overeating) and reactions to drugs (chemotherapeutics, opiates). The severe discomfort and intense fear associated with the stressful symptoms of nausea and emesis are the major reason for patient non-compliance when being treated with cancer chemotherapeutics.

Micromorphological study of the upper digestive tract of the Argentine tegu (Salvator merianae).

Argentine black and white tegus (Salvator merianae) are omnivorous lizards native to southeastern Brazil, Uruguay, eastern Paraguay and northern Argentina, and are invasive species in Florida and Georgia, USA. They are opportunistic feeders, which is what allow them to have such a diverse variety of foods. Tegus raised a particular concern due to their adaptive capability to different environments.

Malignant canine mammary epithelial cells shed exosomes containing differentially expressed microRNA that regulate oncogenic networks.

Background: Breast (mammary) cancers in human (BC) and canine (CMT) patients share clinical, pathological, and molecular similarities that suggest dogs may be a useful translational model. Many cancers, including BC, shed exosomes that contain microRNAs (miRs) into the microenvironment and circulation, and these may represent biomarkers of metastasis and tumor phenotype.

Methods: Three normal canine mammary epithelial cell (CMEC) cultures and 5 CMT cell lines were grown in serum-free media.

RNA sequencing demonstrates large-scale temporal dysregulation of gene expression in stimulated macrophages derived from MHC-defined chicken haplotypes.

Discovering genetic biomarkers associated with disease resistance and enhanced immunity is critical to developing advanced strategies for controlling viral and bacterial infections in different species. Macrophages, important cells of innate immunity, are directly involved in cellular interactions with pathogens, the release of cytokines activating other immune cells and antigen presentation to cells of the adaptive immune response. IFNγ is a potent activator of macrophages and increased production has been associated with disease resistance in several species.

Bioinformatics Analysis of Chicken miRNAs Associated with Monocyte to Macrophage Differentiation and Subsequent IFNγ Stimulated Activation.

Background: The goal of this project was to characterize the molecular and cellular roles of various gene targets regulated by miRNAs identified in differentiating and stimulating avian macrophages. Once a monocyte arrives to a site of infection, local signals induce a redistribution of resources into a macrophage phenotype. This may involve upregulating pathogen pattern recognizing receptors and increasing the efficiency of lysosomal biogenesis, while simultaneously recycling components involved in circulatory migration and leukocyte extravasation.

Analysis of Gene Expression Network Components Underlying Pigmentation Phenotypes in the Python Identified Evolutionarily Conserved Clusters of Transcription Factor Binding Sites.

Color variation provides the opportunity to investigate the genetic basis of evolution and selection. Reptiles are less studied than mammals. Comparative genomics approaches allow for knowledge gained in one species to be leveraged for use in another species.

In Vitro Biomechanical Testing of the Tube Knot.

Objective: To compare in vitro biomechanical properties of the tube knot (TB) to a crimp clamp (CC) system, and square knot (SQ) using 3 monofilament materials.

Study Design: In vitro biomechanical study.

Sample Population: Suture loops (n=20 per material/knot construct).

Integrating Genomic Data Sets for Knowledge Discovery: An Informed Approach to Management of Captive Endangered Species.

Many endangered captive populations exhibit reduced genetic diversity resulting in health issues that impact reproductive fitness and quality of life. Numerous cost effective genomic sequencing and genotyping technologies provide unparalleled opportunity for incorporating genomics knowledge in management of endangered species. Genomic data, such as sequence data, transcriptome data, and genotyping data, provide critical information about a captive population that, when leveraged correctly, can be utilized to maximize population genetic variation while simultaneously reducing unintended introduction or propagation of undesirable phenotypes.

Leveraging Comparative Genomics to Identify and Functionally Characterize Genes Associated with Sperm Phenotypes in Python bivittatus (Burmese Python).

Comparative genomics approaches provide a means of leveraging functional genomics information from a highly annotated model organism's genome (such as the mouse genome) in order to make physiological inferences about the role of genes and proteins in a less characterized organism's genome (such as the Burmese python). We employed a comparative genomics approach to produce the functional annotation of Python bivittatus genes encoding proteins associated with sperm phenotypes. We identify 129 gene-phenotype relationships in the python which are implicated in 10 specific sperm phenotypes.

Discriminating the effects of Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica: a web survey of medical cannabis users.

Objective: To evaluate the opinions of medical cannabis (MC) users on the effects of Cannabis indica vs. those of Cannabis sativa on conditions and symptoms through an online survey.

Design: Survey of 95 non-randomly assigned MC users.

Sequencing and comparative genomic analysis of 1227 Felis catus cDNA sequences enriched for developmental, clinical and nutritional phenotypes.

Background: The feline genome is valuable to the veterinary and model organism genomics communities because the cat is an obligate carnivore and a model for endangered felids. The initial public release of the Felis catus genome assembly provided a framework for investigating the genomic basis of feline biology. However, the entire set of protein coding genes has not been elucidated.

Development of a PCR assay to detect papillomavirus infection in the snow leopard.

Background: Papillomaviruses (PVs) are a group of small, non-encapsulated, species-specific DNA viruses that have been detected in a variety of mammalian and avian species including humans, canines and felines. PVs cause lesions in the skin and mucous membranes of the host and after persistent infection, a subset of PVs can cause tumors such as cervical malignancies and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in humans. PVs from several species have been isolated and their genomes have been sequenced, thereby increasing our understanding of the mechanism of viral oncogenesis and allowing for the development of molecular assays for the detection of PV infection.

Comparison of adoption agency breed identification and DNA breed identification of dogs.

Governmental and other agencies may require dog caregivers (owners) to provide breed identification of their dogs. This study compares breed identification by adoption agencies with identification by DNA analysis in 20 dogs of unknown parentage. Of the 20 dogs who had been adopted from 17 different locations, the study identified 16 dogs as having (or probably having) 1 or 2 specific breed(s) in their ancestry.

Abnormal gene expression in cerebellum of Npc1-/- mice during postnatal development.

Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) disease is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder with abnormal lipid storage as the major cellular pathologic hallmark. Genetic analyses have identified mutations in NPC1 gene in the great majority of cases, while mutations in NPC2 account for the remainders. Yet little is known regarding the cellular mechanisms responsible for NPC pathogenesis, especially for neurodegeneration, which is the usual cause of death.

Using the PubMatrix literature-mining resource to accelerate student-centered learning in a veterinary problem-based learning curriculum.

Problem-based learning (PBL) creates an atmosphere in which veterinary students must take responsibility for their own education. Unlike a traditional curriculum where students receive discipline-specific information by attending formal lectures, PBL is designed to elicit self-directed, student-centered learning such that each student determines (1) what he/she does not know (learning issues), (2) what he/she needs to learn, (3) how he/she will learn it, and (4) what resources he/she will use. One of the biggest challenges facing students in a PBL curriculum is efficient time management while pursuing learning issues.