Publications by authors named "M Carstensen"

As predators of a wide variety of livestock and wildlife species, wolves (Canis lupus) could serve as definitive hosts for species of Sarcocystis parasites infecting many intermediate hosts. Sarcocystis sporocysts have been observed in the feces of wolves fed infected beef before, but genetic tools have not yet definitively identified which species of parasites they harbor, impairing understanding of their contribution to infections in wild and domesticated intermediate hosts. Therefore, we genetically characterized sporocysts derived from a small sample of naturally infected wolves in Minnesota.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Light-based gamma entrainment using sensory stimuli (GENUS) shows promise as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the discomfort from flickering lights may hinder patient adherence to the therapy.
  • A study investigates Invisible spectral flicker (ISF), which is a less detectable type of flicker, and finds it significantly more comfortable and less distracting for users compared to traditional luminance flickering (LF).
  • While reducing brightness didn’t impact SSVEP responses, it improved comfort, suggesting that combining ISF with less direct stimulation could enhance the overall treatment experience for AD patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Sarcocystis infections were identified for the first time in gray wolves in Minnesota, with all three examined wolves testing positive for two distinct types of sarcocysts (thin-walled and thick-walled).
  • The thin-walled sarcocyst, found in one wolf, matched the characteristics of Sarcocystis svanai, which is also seen in domestic dogs, while the thick-walled type found in two other wolves resembled Sarcocystis caninum.
  • Genetic analysis using various molecular markers confirmed that both sarcocyst types were identical to those previously described in domestic dogs, identifying them as Sarcocystis svanai and Sarcocystis caninum.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • HP1α/CBX5 is linked to multiple sclerosis (MS), and a study found that some MS patients have lower CBX5 levels that relate to worse disease progression and significant changes in gene expression.* -
  • The research identified problems with certain RNA species in these patients, suggesting that the Integrator complex, which is important for RNA processing, is less active, potentially raising MS risk.* -
  • In experiments with mice lacking Cbx5, similar transcription issues were observed, indicating that HP1α/CBX5 plays a critical role in maintaining proper gene expression and could lead to new ways to categorize MS patients.*
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is spreading in wild cervids, harming wildlife conservation, draining resources, and complicating management strategies.
  • Researchers developed a regional model to predict CWD incidence using surveillance data from 16 states and found that the Light Boosting Gradient model was the most accurate.
  • The new predictive model can help improve surveillance efforts by identifying areas for targeted monitoring, but discrepancies with actual surveillance data highlight the need for a multi-faceted approach by wildlife professionals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF