Long-term surveillance defines spatial and temporal patterns implicating Culex tarsalis as the primary vector of West Nile virus.

West Nile virus (WNV) has become the most epidemiologically important mosquito-borne disease in the United States, causing ~50,000 cases since its introduction in 1999. Transmitted primarily by Culex species, WNV transmission requires the complex interplay between bird reservoirs and mosquito vectors, with human cases the result of epizootic spillover. To better understand the intrinsic factors that drive these interactions, we have compiled infection data from sentinel chickens, mosquito vectors, and human cases in Iowa over a 15 year period (2002-2016) to better understand the spatial and temporal components that drive WNV transmission.

Diabetes 2030: Insights from Yesterday, Today, and Future Trends.

To forecast future trends in diabetes prevalence, morbidity, and costs in the United States, the Institute for Alternative Futures has updated its diabetes forecasting model and extended its projections to 2030 for the nation, all states, and several metropolitan areas. This paper describes the methodology and data sources for these diabetes forecasts and discusses key implications. In short, diabetes will remain a major health crisis in America, in spite of medical advances and prevention efforts.

Metal complexes of pyridine-fused macrocyclic polyamines targeting the chemokine receptor CXCR4.

The chemokine receptor CXCR4 acts as a key cell surface receptor in HIV infections, multiple forms of cancer, and various other pathologies, such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Macrocyclic polyamines and their metal complexes are known to exert anti-HIV activity, many acting as HIV entry inhibitors by specifically binding to CXCR4. Three series of pyridopentaazacylopentadecanes, in which the pyridine ring is fused to zero, one, or two saturated six-membered rings, were synthesized by manganese(ii)-templated Schiff-base cyclization of triethylenetetramine with various dicarbonyl compounds.

A taxonomic checklist of the mosquitoes of Iowa.

The last published report of the mosquito species composition present in the state of Iowa was published in 1969 and included 43 species in 8 genera. Since that time, reassessment of specimens in the Iowa State Insect Collection and annual mosquito surveillance efforts have yielded 12 new species records, bringing the total to 55 species in 8 genera. In addition to providing an updated taxonomic checklist for the state of Iowa, abundance information is provided for each species using specimen counts from New Jersey light trapping events that span 45 years.

Creating public awareness: state 2025 diabetes forecasts.

The incidence and prevalence of diabetes (primarily type 2 diabetes) has risen sharply since 1990. It is projected to increase another 64% between 2010 and 2025, affecting 53.1 million people and resulting in medical and societal costs of a half trillion dollars a year.

Antibodies to West Nile virus in raccoons and other wild peridomestic mammals in Iowa.

Surveillance for evidence of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in small- and medium-sized wild mammals was conducted in Iowa, USA, from May 2005 to June 2007. Sera were collected from 325 mammals belonging to nine species and tested for antibodies to WNV and other flaviviruses by epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All sera that had antibodies to flaviviruses by blocking ELISA were further examined by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT).

Susceptibility of fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) to West Nile virus by oral exposure.

Fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) (five of eight) were infected with West Nile virus (WNV) when challenged by the oral route with 10(2.3) or 10(3.4) plaque forming units (PFU).

Vector competence of Aedes vexans (Diptera: Culicidae) for West Nile virus and potential as an enzootic vector.

Vector competence of Aedes vexans (Meigen) and Culex pipiens pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae) for West Nile virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, WNV) was compared. Infection rates of both species were similar 14 d after feeding on chickens, with WNV titers ranging from 10(4.

Fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) develop West Nile virus viremias sufficient for infecting select mosquito species.

The West Nile virus (WNV) viremia and shedding profiles of 11 adult fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) infected by needle inoculation or mosquito bite were characterized. Daily mean titers (95% confidence intervals) for all squirrels on days 1 through 6 postexposure (p.e.

West Nile virus viremia in eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) sufficient for infecting different mosquitoes.

In eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) inoculated intramuscularly with 101.5 to 105.7 PFU of West Nile virus (WNV), serum titers developed sufficient to infect Aedes triseriatus (Say), Ae.

Adult repellency and larvicidal activity of five plant essential oils against mosquitoes.

The larvicidal activity and repellency of 5 plant essential oils--thyme oil, catnip oil, amyris oil, eucalyptus oil, and cinnamon oil--were tested against 3 mosquito species: Aedes albopictus, Ae. aegypti, and Culex pipiens pallens. Larvicidal activity of these essentials oils was evaluated in the laboratory against 4th instars of each of the 3 mosquito species, and amyris oil demonstrated the greatest inhibitory effect with LC50 values in 24 h of 58 microg/ml (LC90 = 72 microg/ml) for Ae.

The potential of Aedes triseriatus (Diptera: Culicidae) as an enzootic vector of West Nile virus.

The susceptibility of Aedes triseriatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae) to low levels of West Nile virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, WNV) was determined and compared with that of Culex pipiens L. to assess the likelihood of its participation in an enzootic cycle involving mammals. Ae.

Eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) develop West Nile virus viremias sufficient for infecting select mosquito species.

The potential of the eastern cottontail rabbit (CTR; Sylvilagus floridanus) to contribute to an enzootic West Nile virus (WNV) cycle was demonstrated by characterizing the WNV viremia profile of 15 CTRs and demonstrating that mosquitoes could become infected by feeding on these CTRs. Eight CTRs were infected with a titer of 10(5.0) cell-infectious dose 50% endpoints (CID50s) of WNV (NY99-Crow) by needle and seven CTRs by bite of one or more WNV-infected mosquitoes.

Geographic distribution of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Iowa with emphasis on Ixodes scapularis and their infection with Borrelia burgdorferi.

In Iowa, public concern regarding Lyme disease has increased markedly over the last decade. In response to these concerns, a statewide surveillance program was initiated in 1990 based on ticks received by the Department of Entomology at Iowa State University. Ticks were received from health care professionals, state government agencies, and the general public.

A comparision of West Nile Virus transmission by Ochlerotatus trivittatus (COQ.), Culex pipiens (L.), and Aedes albopictus (Skuse).

Transmission of West Nile virus (WNV) by Ochlerotatus trivittatus, Culex pipiens, and Aedes albopictus were compared 14 days after taking blood meals from viremic chickens with titers ranging from 10(2.5) to 10(9.5) cell infective dose (50)s (CID50s)/mL serum.

Susceptibility of Ochlerotatus trivittatus (Coq.), Aedes albopictus (Skuse), and Culex pipiens (L.) to West Nile virus infection.

The susceptibility of Ochlerotatus trivittatus (Coq.) to West Nile virus (WNV) was assessed by comparing it to the susceptibility of Aedes albopictus (Skuse), a likely bridge vector, and Culex pipiens (L.), a primary WNV amplifying species.

Detection of human blood in the bat tick Carios (Ornithodoros) kelleyi (Acari: Argasidae) in Iowa.

The argasid tick Carios (Ornithodoros) kelleyi Cooley & Kohls is a common ectoparasite of bats and has been found in massive numbers in homes with associated bat colonies in eastern Iowa. This tick feeds nearly exclusively on bats in nature. Several inhabitants of infested homes complained of "bug bites" at night while asleep that may have resulted in erythematous, edematous, urticaric skin lesions and constitutional signs and symptoms.

Relationship between weights of the engorged nymphal stage and resultant sexes in Ixodes scapularis and Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks.

The relationship between weights of the nymphal stage and their resultant sexes in Ixodes scapularis Say and Dermacentor variabilis (Say) was examined under laboratory conditions. Nymphs were fed to repletion on laboratory white mice, weighed individually, and held until they molted. Fully engorged I.

Vector competence of Culex tarsalis (Diptera: Culicidae) from Iowa for a sympatric strain of western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE-7738) virus.

Experiments were designed to evaluate the vector competence of Culex tarsalis Coquillet from an area (Sioux City) where Cx. tarsalis is most abundant in Iowa for western equine encephalomyelitis virus (WEE-7738). WEE-7738 was isolated from Aedes trivittatus (Coquillet) collected in Ames, IA, in 1977.

Longevity and spontaneous flight activity of Culex tarsalis (Diptera: Culicidae) infected with western equine encephalomyelitis virus.

The longevity of an Iowa strain of Culex tarsalis Coquillett fed blood meals containing 2 concentrations of western equine encephalomyelitis virus from Iowa (WEE-7738) was compared with that of Cx. tarsalis fed blood without virus. Females exposed to 4.

Absolute frequency measurement of a 1.5-microm acetylene standard by use of a combined frequency chain and femtosecond comb.

We have developed and characterized a pair of Doppler-free acetylene-stabilized diode laser frequency standards as optical communications references. The Allan deviation sigma/f of an individual system reaches a minimum of 4 x 10(-14) at a sampling time of 5000 s, and the long-term lock-point repeatability is found to be 0.4 kHz (one standard uncertainty), corresponding to a fractional uncertainty of 2 x 10(-12).

Evaluation of the efficacy of lambda-cyhalothrin applied by three spray application methods for emergency control of Aedes aegypti in Costa Rica.

An extended duration formulation of lambda-cyhalothrin (Icon CS) applied as either an ultra-low volume (ULV) or thermal fog spray from a new hand-held sprayer (Twin-Fog) or as a low-volume spray (LV) from a backpack mist blower against Aedes aegypti was evaluated in Costa Rica. Spray applications were made at the front door for 1 min or to each room for 15 sec for the ULV and LV, and thermal fog applications were made to houses in separate blocks for each treatment. The efficacy and duration of effectiveness of the spray was determined from sentinel caged mosquito mortality and mosquito collections from within houses using hand-held, battery-powered aspirators.