Intermittent fasting and caloric restriction interact with genetics to shape physiological health in mice.

Dietary interventions can dramatically affect physiological health and organismal lifespan. The degree to which organismal health is improved depends upon genotype and the severity of dietary intervention, but neither the effects of these factors, nor their interaction, have been quantified in an outbred population. Moreover, it is not well understood what physiological changes occur shortly after dietary change and how these may affect the health of an adult population.

Tuberculosis Screening in Silica-Exposed Workers : Developing a Tool for Health Care Providers.

Both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Washington State require safety and health protections for workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica, including tuberculosis (TB) screening as part of occupational medical surveillance. We describe the creation of a TB screening tool for silica-exposed workers receiving regulated medical surveillance examinations in Washington State. The tool provides relevant clinical recommendations to assist health care providers and public health practitioners who choose to use the tool when performing such examinations.

Whole Genome Sequence Data From Captive Baboons Implicate in Epileptic Seizure Risk.

In this study, we investigate the genetic determinants that underlie epilepsy in a captive baboon pedigree and evaluate the potential suitability of this non-human primate model for understanding the genetic etiology of human epilepsy. Archived whole-genome sequence data were analyzed using both a candidate gene approach that targeted variants in baboon homologs of 19 genes ( = 20,881 SNPs) previously implicated in genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) and a more agnostic approach that examined protein-altering mutations genome-wide as assessed by snpEff ( = 36,169). Measured genotype association tests for baboon cases of epileptic seizure were performed using SOLAR, as well as gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction of top association hits genome-wide < 0.

Modeling the effective connectivity of the visual network in healthy and photosensitive, epileptic baboons.

The baboon provides a model of photosensitive, generalized epilepsy. This study compares cerebral blood flow responses during intermittent light stimulation (ILS) between photosensitive (PS) and healthy control (CTL) baboons using H 2 (15) O-PET. We examined effective connectivity associated with visual stimulation in both groups using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Peripheral insulin resistance and impaired insulin signaling contribute to abnormal glucose metabolism in preterm baboons.

Premature infants develop hyperglycemia shortly after birth, increasing their morbidity and death. Surviving infants have increased incidence of diabetes as young adults. Our understanding of the biological basis for the insulin resistance of prematurity and developmental regulation of glucose production remains fragmentary.

Neonatal intubation with direct laryngoscopy vs videolaryngoscopy: an extremely premature baboon model.

Objective: To compare the ability to successfully intubate extremely preterm baboons using conventional direct laryngoscopy (DL) vs videolaryngoscopy.

Methods: A prospective randomized crossover study using experienced and inexperienced neonatal intubators. All participants were shown an educational video on intubation with each device, followed by attempt of the procedure.

Craniofacial trauma as a clinical marker of seizures in a baboon colony.

Baboons provide a natural model of epilepsy. However, spontaneous seizures are usually sporadic, brief, and may not be observed. We hypothesized that various types of craniofacial trauma (CFT) may serve as reliable markers for epilepsy.

A novel adenovirus species associated with an acute respiratory outbreak in a baboon colony and evidence of coincident human infection.

Adenoviruses (AdVs) are DNA viruses that infect many vertebrate hosts, including humans and nonhuman primates. Here we identify a novel AdV species, provisionally named "simian adenovirus C (SAdV-C)," associated with a 1997 outbreak of acute respiratory illness in captive baboons (4 of 9) at a primate research facility in Texas. None of the six AdVs recovered from baboons (BaAdVs) during the outbreak, including the two baboons who died from pneumonia, were typeable.

Electroclinical phenotypes in a pedigreed baboon colony.

This is the first large-scale epidemiological study evaluating the prevalence of interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) and photosensitivity (PS) recorded by scalp EEG in a natural nonhuman-primate model of photosensitive, generalized epilepsy. Scalp EEG was used to characterize electroclinical phenotypes in a large baboon pedigree housed at the Southwest National Primate Research Center at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) based upon IEDs and photosensitivity. Scalp EEG studies including intermittent light stimulation (ILS) were performed in 671 baboons.

Baboon model of generalized epilepsy: continuous intracranial video-EEG monitoring with subdural electrodes.

The baboon provides a natural non-human primate model for photosensitive, generalized epilepsy. This study describes an implantation procedure for the placement of subdural grid and strip electrodes for continuous video-EEG monitoring in the epileptic baboon to evaluate the generation and propagation of ictal and interictal epileptic discharges. Subdural grid, strip and depth electrodes were implanted in six baboons, targeting brain regions that were activated in functional neuroimaging studies during photoparoxysmal responses.

MRI of perfusion-diffusion mismatch in non-human primate (baboon) stroke: a preliminary report.

The goal of this study was to develop a clinically relevant non-human primate (baboon) stroke model and multi-parametric MRI protocols on a clinical scanner with long-term goals to better model human stroke and facilitate clinical translations of novel therapeutic strategies. Baboons were chosen because of their relatively large brain volume and that they are evolutionarily close to humans. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was induced using a minimally invasive endovascular approach to guide an inflatable balloon catheter into the MCA and followed by permanently or transiently inflate the balloon.

Epidemiology and characterization of seizures in a pedigreed baboon colony.

This study evaluated the incidence, prevalence, and clinical features of seizures in a pedigreed captive colony of baboons. The association of seizures with subspecies, age, sex, and various clinical features was assessed. Records for 1527 captive, pedigreed baboons were reviewed, and 3389 events were identified in 1098 baboons.

Trichuris sp. and Strongyloides sp. infections in a free-ranging baboon colony.

We conducted cross-sectional surveys of parasites infecting a large free-living colony of baboons at the Southwest National Primate Research Center in San Antonio in October 2003 and April 2004, immediately before, and 6 mo after, treatment with ivermectin. Trichuris sp. was the predominant species present, infecting 79 and 69% of individual animals in the 2 surveys, with fecal egg counts (FEC) of up to 60,200 eggs per g (epg) (mean = 1,235 in October 2003 and 1,256 in April 2004).

Functional neuroimaging of the baboon during concurrent image-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has well-established applications in basic neuroscience and promising applications in neurological and psychiatric disorders. However the underlying mechanisms of TMS-induced alterations in brain function are not well understood. As a result, treatment design parameters are determined ad hoc and not informed by any coherent theory or model.

Cortical sulcal areas in baboons (Papio hamadryas spp.) with generalized interictal epileptic discharges on scalp EEG.

Brain MRI studies in people with idiopathic generalized epilepsies demonstrate regional morphometric differences, though variable in magnitude and location. As the baboon provides an excellent electroclinical and neuroimaging model for photosensitive generalized epilepsy in humans, this study evaluated MRI volumetric and morphometric differences between baboons with interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) on scalp EEG and baboons with normal EEG studies. Seventy-seven baboons underwent high-resolution brain MRI and scalp EEG studies.

BOLD fMRI of visual and somatosensory-motor stimulations in baboons.

Baboon, with its large brain size and extensive cortical folding compared to other non-human primates, serves as a good model for neuroscience research. This study reports the implementation of a baboon model for blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) fMRI studies (1.5 x 1.

Bone marrow-targeted liposomal carriers: a feasibility study in nonhuman primates.

Background & Aims: Recently, we described a novel surface-modified lipid vesicle formulation (liposome) that had very high targeting to bone marrow in normal rabbits. Because the bone marrow is the site of hematopoiesis, bone marrow-targeted drug-delivery systems have many potential applications. In this study we investigated whether these bone marrow-targeted vesicles are also similarly effective for bone marrow targeting in rhesus monkeys, a primate animal model that is more relevant to humans.

Predictive models of insulin resistance derived from simple morphometric and biochemical indices related to obesity and the metabolic syndrome in baboons.

Background: Non-human primates are valuable models for the study of insulin resistance and human obesity. In baboons, insulin sensitivity levels can be evaluated directly with the euglycemic clamp and is highly predicted by adiposity, metabolic markers of obesity and impaired glucose metabolism (i.e.

Mortality in captive baboons with seizures: a new model for SUDEP?

Because the baboon is a model of primary generalized epilepsy, we were interested in mortality of captive animals with a history of witnessed seizures. Causes of natural death were investigated in 46 seizure baboons (SZ) and 78 nonepileptic controls (CTL), all of which underwent a complete pathologic examination at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SFBR) in San Antonio. SZ animals died at a younger age than the control baboons (p < 0.

Fetal blood sampling in baboons (Papio spp.): important procedural aspects and literature review.

Background: The baboons (Papio cynocephalus) have similarities with human placentation and fetal development. Fetal blood sampling allows investigators to assess fetal condition at a specific point in gestation as well as transplacental transfer of medications. Unfortunately, assessing fetal status during gestation has been difficult and fetal instrumentation associated with high rate of pregnancy loss.

"Resting" CBF in the epileptic baboon: correlation with ketamine dose and interictal epileptic discharges.

Background: Photosensitive epileptic (SZ) baboons demonstrate different cerebral blood flow (CBF) activation patterns from asymptomatic controls (CTL) during intermittent light stimulation (ILS). This study compares "resting" CBF between PS and CTL animals, and CBF correlations with ketamine dose and interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) between PS and CTL animals.

Methods: Continuous intravenous ketamine was administered to eight PS and eight CTL baboons (matched for gender and weight), and maintained at subanesthetic doses (4.

Barbiturate euthanasia solution-induced tissue artifact in nonhuman primates.

Background: Barbiturate euthanasia solutions are a humane and approved means of euthanasia. Overdosing causes significant tissue damage in a variety of laboratory animals.

Methods: One hundred seventeen non-human primates (NHP) representing 7 species including 12 fetuses euthanized for humane and research reasons by various vascular routes with Euthasol, Sodium Pentobarbital, Fatal Plus, Beuthanasia D, or Euthanasia 5 were evaluated for euthanasia-induced tissue damage.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease in baboons (Papio sp.): a new animal model.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasingly prevalent in the human population. Current animal models require surgical or other manipulation to produce symptoms. An animal model that exhibits spontaneous GERD would provide the opportunity for much-needed research examining the susceptibility, diagnosis, and treatment of GERD.

Dandruff-associated Malassezia genomes reveal convergent and divergent virulence traits shared with plant and human fungal pathogens.

Fungi in the genus Malassezia are ubiquitous skin residents of humans and other warm-blooded animals. Malassezia are involved in disorders including dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, which together affect >50% of humans. Despite the importance of Malassezia in common skin diseases, remarkably little is known at the molecular level.

External cephalic version of the term breech baboon (Papio sp.) fetus.

Background: Breech presentation in baboons may be associated with head entrapment and stillbirth during vaginal delivery. For this reason, pregnant dams at our institution typically undergo cesarean delivery for known breech presentation, leading to problems with maternal-infant bonding and increased nursery utilization.

Methods: This paper describes a simple, non-invasive technique called external cephalic version (ECV) that effectively converts the baboon breech fetus into a cephalic presentation.