A habitat suitability analysis for three Culicoides species implicated in bluetongue virus transmission in the Southeastern United States.

Culicoides biting midges adversely impact animal health through transmission of multiple orbiviruses, such as bluetongue virus (BTV). This study used light trapping data collected in the Southeastern United States for three Culicoides midge species that are confirmed or suspected BTV vectors: Culicoides insignis, Culicoides stellifer and Culicoides venustus. Midge presence datasets were combined with meteorological data and ecological data to model habitat suitability for each species.

Development of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR to Disambiguate within Complex, the Proven Vector of Bluetongue and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Viruses in North America.

Species delimitation of complex species can be challenging. Among species within the complex, is considered the primary vector of bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) in North America. Morphological identification of within the .

Dissolution Heterogeneity Observed in Anisotropic Ruthenium Dioxide Nanocrystals via Liquid-Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Noble metal oxides such as ruthenium dioxide are highly active electrocatalysts for anodic reactions in acidic electrolytes, but dissolution during electrochemical operation impedes wide-scale applications in renewable energy technologies. Improving the fundamental understanding of the dissolution dynamics of application-relevant morphologies such as nanocrystals is critical for the grid-scale implementation of these materials. Herein, we report the nanoscale heterogeneity observed via liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy during ruthenium dioxide nanocrystal dissolution under oxidizing conditions.

Abundance and diversity of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in southern Ontario, Canada.

Background: Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is a genus of hematophagous midges feeding on various vertebrate hosts and serving as a vector for numerous pathogens important to livestock and wildlife health. North American pathogens include bluetongue (BT) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) viruses. Little is known about Culicoides spp.

Vector communities under global change may exacerbate and redistribute infectious disease risk.

Vector-borne parasites may be transmitted by multiple vector species, resulting in an increased risk of transmission, potentially at larger spatial scales compared to any single vector species. Additionally, the different abilities of patchily distributed vector species to acquire and transmit parasites will lead to varying degrees of transmission risk. Investigation of how vector community composition and parasite transmission change over space due to variation in environmental conditions may help to explain current patterns in diseases but also informs our understanding of how patterns will change under climate and land-use change.

The wild life of ticks: Using passive surveillance to determine the distribution and wildlife host range of ticks and the exotic Haemaphysalis longicornis, 2010-2021.

Background: We conducted a large-scale, passive regional survey of ticks associated with wildlife of the eastern United States. Our primary goals were to better assess the current geographical distribution of exotic Haemaphysalis longicornis and to identify potential wild mammalian and avian host species. However, this large-scale survey also provided valuable information regarding the distribution and host associations for many other important tick species that utilize wildlife as hosts.

New Distribution Records of Biting Midges of the Genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Latreille, Culicoides bergi and Culicoides baueri, in Southern Ontario, Canada.

Some species of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) can be pests as well as pathogen vectors, but data on their distribution in Ontario, Canada, are sparse. Collecting this baseline data is important given ongoing, accelerated alterations in global climate patterns that may favor the establishment of some species in northern latitudes. Culicoides spp.

Molecular Characterization of Species and a Molecular Genetic Key for the Identification of of North America.

(Acari: Ixodidae), the Asian longhorned tick, is native to East Asia, but has become established in Australia and New Zealand, and more recently in the United States. In North America, there are other native species that share similar morphological characteristics and can be difficult to identify if the specimen is damaged. The goal of this study was to develop a cost-effective and rapid molecular diagnostic assay to differentiate between exotic and native species to aid in ongoing surveillance of within the United States and help prevent misidentification.

Estimating exposure to hydrogen sulfide from animal husbandry operations using satellite ammonia as a proxy: Methodology demonstration.

Husbandry trace gases that have climate change implications such as carbon dioxide (CO), methane (CH) and ammonia (NH) can be quantified through remote sensing; however, many husbandry gases with health implications such as hydrogen sulfide (HS), cannot. This pilot study demonstrates an approach to derive HS concentrations by coupling in situ and remote sensing data. Using AMOG (AutoMObile trace Gas) Surveyor, a mobile air quality and meteorology laboratory, we measured in situ concentrations of CH, CO, NH, HS, and wind at a southern California university research dairy.

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease in White-Tailed Deer, Canada.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease affects wild and domestic ruminants and has recently spread northward within the United States. In September 2017, we detected epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus in wild white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, in east-central Canada. Culicoides spp.

Validation of mobile in situ measurements of dairy husbandry emissions by fusion of airborne/surface remote sensing with seasonal context from the Chino Dairy Complex.

Mobile in situ concentration and meteorology data were collected for the Chino Dairy Complex in the Los Angeles Basin by AMOG (AutoMObile trace Gas) Surveyor on 25 June 2015 to characterize husbandry emissions in the near and far field in convoy mode with MISTIR (Mobile Infrared Sensor for Tactical Incident Response), a mobile upwards-looking, column remote sensing spectrometer. MISTIR reference flux validated AMOG plume inversions at different information levels including multiple gases, GoogleEarth imagery, and airborne trace gas remote sensing data. Long-term (9-yr.

Apparent Range Expansion of Culicoides (Hoffmania) insignis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in the Southeastern United States.

Haematophagous biting midges of the genus Culicoides are pests of humans, livestock, and wildlife, and some also serve as vectors of bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) worldwide. In North America, there are only two Culicoides spp. proven to transmit BTV and/or EHDV-Culicoides (Hoffmania) insignis Lutz (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and Culicoides (Monoculicoides) sonorensis Wirth and Jones (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

Amblyomma auricularium (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in Florida: New Hosts and Distribution Records.

Previous published evidence for the occurrence of an exotic armadillo tick, Amblyomma auricularium (Conil), in Florida is scant, but we found it is fully established and integrated into the state's tick fauna. We collected 11,192 specimens of this tick from naturalized nine-banded armadillos, Dasypus novemcinctus L., and 14 other species of wild native mammals and birds in Florida, while sampling statewide during 2004 through 2007.

Women's preferences and mode of delivery in public and private hospitals: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Rates of caesarean section have steadily increased in most middle- and high-income countries over the last few decades without medical justification. Maternal request is one of the frequently cited non-medical factors contributing to this trend. The objectives of this study were to assess pregnant women's preferences regarding mode of delivery and to compare actual caesarean section rates in the public and private sectors.

Proinflammatory and oxidative stress markers in patients submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass after 1 year of follow-up.

Background/objectives: This study examined the effect of weight loss after 3, 6 and 12 months of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) on energy intake and on several biomarkers of oxidative stress such as levels of vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin E (diet/blood), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), myeloperoxidase (MPO), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH) and activity of catalase (CAT).

Subjects/methods: Study with a control group (CG), assessed once, and a bariatric group (BG) assessed at the basal period as well as at 3, 6 and 12 months post-surgery; both groups were composed of 5 men and 31 women (n=36). Age was 38.

Body weight and leukocyte infiltration after an acute exercise-related muscle injury in ovariectomized mice treated with estrogen and progesterone.

In both rats and mice, an acute skeletal muscle injury leads to leukocyte infiltration in which the leukocytes remove dead fibers and cellular debris, induce a secondary injury, and/or promote myofiber regeneration. Short-term exogenous estrogen treatment attenuates this leukocyte infiltration and prevents body weight gain in rat exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury models. But these estrogen effects may not occur in mice because body weight gain does not consistently occur in ovariectomized mice treated with estrogen.

N-phenylmaleimide derivatives as mimetic agents of the pro-inflammatory process: myeloperoxidase activation.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an important enzyme that catalyzes the reaction between hydrogen peroxide and chloride to generate hypochlorous acid, which oxidizes a range of biomolecules and has been associated with inflammatory diseases. The synthetic compounds N-phenylmaleimide (NFM) and 4-methyl-N-phenylmaleimide (Me-NFM) increased the MPO activity in vitro (of isolated enzyme and in isolated cells after animal treatment) and in vivo assays. MPO-induction may represent a good model system to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of oxidative cell injury induced by activated neutrophils, and the interactions between damaging species involved in the respiratory burst.

Macrophage colony stimulating factor-induced macrophage differentiation influences myotube elongation.

Background: Unaccustomed exercise, high-intensity dynamic sports activities, or the resumption of normal weight-bearing after a period of disuse can induce skeletal muscle injury, which activates an inflammatory response followed by muscle regeneration. Specific subsets of macrophages are involved in muscle regeneration. But the exact role of macrophage differentiation during muscle regeneration remains to be elucidated.

Roux-en-Y bypass gastroplasty: markers of oxidative stress 6 months after surgery.

Background: This study examined the effect of weight loss on energy intake, vitamin C, E, beta-carotene (diet/blood), reduced glutathione (GSH), C-reactive protein (CRP), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), catalase, and myeloperoxidase, in patients with Roux-en-Y bypass gastroplasty.

Methods: Prospective clinical study with control (C) and bariatric (B) groups (n = 20 each). Age was 38.