The Flora of Washington County, Iowa

This botanical survey of the vascular plants of Washington County, Iowa was made in an effort to increase our knowledge of the vegetation of southeastern Iowa. Prior to this survey little botanical collecting had been done in Washington County. Sixty-eight specimens from Washington County were found by the writer in looking through the herbarium of the State University of Iowa. These were collected by the late Professor B. Shimek. The field work was carried on for a period of one growing season. Over 3,500 miles were traveled by the writer in making the survey. The first collections were made April 6, 1953 and the last October 21, 1953. 1600 collections were made, totaling approximately 3,000 specimens. A total of 677 different species of vascular plants are listed, 65 7 of which were collected by the writer

Intestinal invasion and disseminated disease associated with Penicillium chrysogenum

BACKGROUND: Penicillium sp., other than P. marneffei, is an unusual cause of invasive disease. These organisms are often identified in immunosuppressed patients, either due to human immunodeficiency virus or from immunosuppressant medications post-transplantation. They are a rarely identified cause of infection in immunocompetent hosts. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51 year old African-American female presented with an acute abdomen and underwent an exploratory laparotomy which revealed an incarcerated peristomal hernia. Her postoperative course was complicated by severe sepsis syndrome with respiratory failure, hypotension, leukocytosis, and DIC. On postoperative day 9 she was found to have an anastamotic breakdown. Pathology from the second surgery showed transmural ischemic necrosis with angioinvasion of a fungal organism. Fungal blood cultures were positive for Penicillium chrysogenum and the patient completed a 6 week course of amphotericin B lipid complex, followed by an extended course oral intraconazole. She was discharged to a nursing home without evidence of recurrent infection. DISCUSSION: Penicillium chrysogenum is a rare cause of infection in immunocompetent patients. Diagnosis can be difficult, but Penicillium sp. grows rapidly on routine fungal cultures. Prognosis remains very poor, but aggressive treatment is essential, including surgical debridement and the removal of foci of infection along with the use of amphotericin B. The clinical utility of newer antifungal agents remains to be determined

STING-dependent recognition of cyclic di-AMP mediates type I interferon responses during Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

UnlabelledSTING (stimulator of interferon [IFN] genes) initiates type I IFN responses in mammalian cells through the detection of microbial nucleic acids. The membrane-bound obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis induces a STING-dependent type I IFN response in infected cells, yet the IFN-inducing ligand remains unknown. In this report, we provide evidence that Chlamydia synthesizes cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP), a nucleic acid metabolite not previously identified in Gram-negative bacteria, and that this metabolite is a prominent ligand for STING-mediated activation of IFN responses during infection. We used primary mouse lung fibroblasts and HEK293T cells to compare IFN-β responses to Chlamydia infection, c-di-AMP, and other type I IFN-inducing stimuli. Chlamydia infection and c-di-AMP treatment induced type I IFN responses in cells expressing STING but not in cells expressing STING variants that cannot sense cyclic dinucleotides but still respond to cytoplasmic DNA. The failure to induce a type I IFN response to Chlamydia and c-di-AMP correlated with the inability of STING to relocalize from the endoplasmic reticulum to cytoplasmic punctate signaling complexes required for IFN activation. We conclude that Chlamydia induces STING-mediated IFN responses through the detection of c-di-AMP in the host cell cytosol and propose that c-di-AMP is the ligand predominantly responsible for inducing such a response in Chlamydia-infected cells.ImportanceThis study shows that the Gram-negative obligate pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility, synthesizes cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP), a nucleic acid metabolite that thus far has been described only in Gram-positive bacteria. We further provide evidence that the host cell employs an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized cytoplasmic sensor, STING (stimulator of interferon [IFN] genes), to detect c-di-AMP synthesized by Chlamydia and induce a protective IFN response. This detection occurs even though Chlamydia is confined to a membrane-bound vacuole. This raises the possibility that the ER, an organelle that innervates the entire cytoplasm, is equipped with pattern recognition receptors that can directly survey membrane-bound pathogen-containing vacuoles for leaking microbe-specific metabolites to mount type I IFN responses required to control microbial infections

County-Level View of Irrigation Trends in Utah and the West

We explored water use management and trends in irrigated agriculture in the U.S. West using operator-level USDA-NASS Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey (FRIS)/Irrigation and Water Management Survey (IWMS) data aggregated for the first time to the county instead of state scale. Our hope is that this study will guide water managers in developing regional conservation programs, inform extension and research initiatives related to irrigation, promote grower-informed water conservation education, and provide researchers with key information regarding if, how, and why growers consider water conservation in irrigation decision-making

The Effect of Work Rate on Oxygen Uptake Kinetics During Exhaustive Severe Intensity Cycling Exercise

The effect of work rate on oxygen uptake kinetics during exhaustive severe intensity cycling exercise Jennifer L. Sylvester, Samantha D. Burdette, Steven W. Cross, Nosa O. Idemudia, John, H. Curtis, Jakob L. Vingren, David W. Hill. Applied Physiology Laboratory, University of North Texas, Denton, TX During exhaustive severe intensity exercise, the oxygen uptake (VO2) increases exponentially, with a time constant of ~30 s. After ~1 to 2 min, a slow component emerges and drives the VO2 to its maximum. There are clear differences in the VO2 response profile across exercise intensity domains. These disparities might not be attributable to metabolic demand but, rather, to characteristics of the various intensity domains, such as the consequences of lactic acid production. PURPOSE: To investigate the role of exercise intensity on the VO2 response profile at intensities wholly within the severe domain. METHODS: Four women (mean ± SD: age 22 ± 2 years, height 167 ± 7 cm, mass 66 ± 5 kg) and eight men (age 23 ± 2 yr, height 179 ± 9 cm, mass 78 ± 10 kg) performed exhaustive constant-power cycle ergometer tests at two different severe intensity work rates (263 ± 78 W and 214 ± 64 W). Smoothed breath-by-breath VO2 data were fitted to a two-component (primary response and slow component) model using iterative regression. RESULTS: Times to exhaustion were 217 ± 27 s and 590 ± 82 s, respectively. The VO2max values were the same at the two different work rates (2973 ± 691 ml·min-1 and 3011 ± 728 ml·min-1). The amplitude of the primary response was greater (p \u3c 0.05) at the higher work rate (2095 ± 716 ml·min-1) than at the lower work rate (1857 ± 618 ml·min-1) and the amplitude of the slow component was smaller (367 ± 177 ml·min-1 vs 645 ± 347 ml·min-1). In addition, the time delay before the emergence of the slow component was shorter at the higher work rate (92 ± 22 s vs 116 ± 42 s). CONCLUSION: The results show that exercise intensity per se affects the VO2 response profile within the severe intensity domain and suggest that metabolic demand drives the primary response of VO2 kinetics within this domain. Category to be judged: Master\u27

K-12 online learning and students with disabilities: Perspectives from state special education directors

K-12 special education policies and practices that ensure students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment are coming under pressure from rapid expansion of online learning. Forty-six state and non-state jurisdiction special education directors responded to a brief survey about K-12 online learning. Findings demonstrated the increased number of states providing online instruction; indicated students with many different types of disabilities participate in online learning; and described the directors’ reflections on current issues as well as anticipated barriers to students with disabilities participating in online learning. Ambiguity and variability existed across state policies as each state may have been in a different stage of adopting this relatively new approach to K-12 education. The authors suggest that federal guidance might be required to safeguard the civil rights of students with disabilities in online learning

The Effect of Pedaling Cadence on the Kinetics of Oxygen Uptake During Severe Intensity Exercise

During exhaustive severe intensity exercise, the oxygen uptake (VO2) increases exponentially, with a time constant of ~30 s. After ~1 to 2 min, a slow component emerges and drives the VO2 to its maximum. Pedaling cadence contributes to the metabolic demand at a given work rate and affects several responses to cycling exercise. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of pedaling cadence on parameters of the two-component VO2 response profile during severe intensity exercise. METHODS: Eight women (mean ± SD: age 22 ± 1 yr, height 161 ± 6 cm, and weight 58.8 ± 2.3 kg) and 10 men (age 23 ± 1 yr, height 180 ± 6 cm, and weight 82.9 ± 4.4 kg) performed exhaustive constant-power cycle ergometer tests using pedaling cadences of 60 rpm, 80 rpm, and 100 rpm. RESULTS: Times to exhaustion were smaller at higher cadences (220 ± 85 \u3c 299 ± 118 \u3c 368 ± 168 s), whereas VO2max values were the same at all cadences (2786 ± 729 = 2768 ± 749 = 2774 ± 732 ml/min). The mean response time of the primary response was faster at higher pedaling cadences (27 ± 5 \u3c 32 ± 5 \u3c 37 ± 5 s); the amplitude of the primary response was greater at the highest cadence (2045 ± 577 \u3e 1890 ± 493 = 1899 ± 515 ml/min); and the time delay before the slow component was smaller at higher cadences (85 ± 11 \u3c 105 ± 17 \u3c 118 ± 19 s). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that pedaling cadence affects the VO2 response profile. The higher cadences speed the primary or fundamental response and hasten the emergence of the slow component. This may have implications for the sport of cycling and should be considered when evaluating cardio-respiratory and metabolic responses to cycle ergometer exercise

Experimental Validation of a Forward Looking Interferometer for Detection of Clear Air Turbulence due to Mountain Waves

The Forward-Looking Interferometer (FLI) is an airborne sensor concept for detection and estimation of potential atmospheric hazards to aircraft. The FLI concept is based on high-resolution Infrared Fourier Transform Spectrometry technologies that have been developed for satellite remote sensing. The FLI is being evaluated for its potential to address multiple hazards, during all phases of flight, including clear air turbulence, volcanic ash, wake vortices, low slant range visibility, dry wind shear, and icing. In addition, the FLI is being evaluated for its potential to detect hazardous runway conditions during landing, such as wet or icy asphalt or concrete. The validation of model-based instrument and hazard simulation results is accomplished by comparing predicted performance against empirical data. In the mountain lee wave data collected in the previous FLI project, the data showed a damped, periodic mountain wave structure. The wave data itself will be of use in forecast and nowcast turbulence products such as the Graphical Turbulence Guidance and Graphical Turbulence Guidance Nowcast products. Determining how turbulence hazard estimates can be derived from FLI measurements will require further investigation

Clinical Outcomes of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Studies have found admission hyperglycemia as a predictor of poor outcomes in Community acquired Pneumonia (CAP), whereas others have not. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on mortality as well as Length of stay (LOS) and Time to clinical stability (TCS) of hospitalized patients with CAP. Materials and Methods: Adult patients hospitalized with CAP enrolled at Community-Acquired Pneumonia Organization (CAPO) database with DM were categorized as admission blood glucose ≥ 250 mg/dL (diabetes mellitus blood sugar (BG) \u3e 250) and admission blood glucose ≤ 250 mg/dL (DM BG ≤ 250). CAP outcomes included: all-cause in-hospital mortality, all-cause 28-day mortality, length of stay (LOS) and time to clinical stability (TCS). Results: From a total of 7,303 patients with CAP, 294 (17.7%) had DM; out of whom 960 (13.1%) patients had BG ≤ 250 mg/dL, and 334 (4.6%) patients had BG \u3e 250 mg/dL. The in-hospital mortality was 9.3% for controls, 9.9% for the DM BG ≤ 250 mg/dL group and 13.4% for DM BG \u3e 250 mg/dL group (p = 0.04). Patients with DM BG \u3e 250 mg/dL compared to the control group had a higher risk of in-hospital mortality (Hazard ratio (RR) = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.02-1.72, p = 0.034) and 28-day mortality (RR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.01-1.71, p = 0.048). Patients in the DM BG ≤ 250 mg/dL group compared to the control group did not have a greater risk for in-hospital mortality (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.16-8.09, p = 0.237), 28-day mortality (RR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.90-1.32, p = 0.398), LOS (HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.85-1.02, p = 0.130), or TCS (HR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.87-1.05, p = 0.320). Conclusions: DM patients with BG \u3e 250 mg/dL were associated with increased in-hospital mortality and 28-day mortality. Further studies are needed to link the role of hyperglycemia to CAP outcome

A mechanism for the inhibition of DNA-PK-mediated DNA sensing by a virus

The innate immune system is critical in the response to infection by pathogens and it is activated by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) binding to pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). During viral infection, the direct recognition of the viral nucleic acids, such as the genomes of DNA viruses, is very important for activation of innate immunity. Recently, DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), a heterotrimeric complex consisting of the Ku70/Ku80 heterodimer and the catalytic subunit DNA-PKcs was identified as a cytoplasmic PRR for DNA that is important for the innate immune response to intracellular DNA and DNA virus infection. Here we show that vaccinia virus (VACV) has evolved to inhibit this function of DNA-PK by expression of a highly conserved protein called C16, which was known to contribute to virulence but by an unknown mechanism. Data presented show that C16 binds directly to the Ku heterodimer and thereby inhibits the innate immune response to DNA in fibroblasts, characterised by the decreased production of cytokines and chemokines. Mechanistically, C16 acts by blocking DNA-PK binding to DNA, which correlates with reduced DNA-PK-dependent DNA sensing. The C-terminal region of C16 is sufficient for binding Ku and this activity is conserved in the variola virus (VARV) orthologue of C16. In contrast, deletion of 5 amino acids in this domain is enough to knockout this function from the attenuated vaccine strain modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA). In vivo a VACV mutant lacking C16 induced higher levels of cytokines and chemokines early after infection compared to control viruses, confirming the role of this virulence factor in attenuating the innate immune response. Overall this study describes the inhibition of DNA-PK-dependent DNA sensing by a poxvirus protein, adding to the evidence that DNA-PK is a critical component of innate immunity to DNA viruses