Morbidity and mortality in reptiles presented to a wildlife care facility in Central Illinois

We examined morbidity and mortality of 200 reptiles, representing 13 different species that were presented to the University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic (WMC) from 2003 to 2010. Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentine; n = 46), box turtles (Terrapene sp.; n = 43), painted turtles (Chrysemys picta; n = 37), and red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans; n = 33) were the most frequently seen species. Turtles were significantly more likely to be presented to the WMC following collision with a motor vehicle (n = 73) than any other reason, including idiopathic trauma (i.e., trauma of unknown origin; n = 25) or infectious disease (n =18). The findings from this cross-sectional study suggest a potential for community education in limiting reptile traumas resulting in presentations to a wildlife hospital

Determination of Thiafentanil in Plasma Using LC–MS

A new method of analysis has been developed and validated for the determination of thiafentanil in plasma. After protein precipitation, samples were separated on an XBridge BEH C18 column and quantified using mass spectrometry. The mobile phase was a mixture of water with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile with 0.1% formic acid (90:10). The standard curve ranged from 0.1 to 25 ng/mL. Intra- and Inter-assay variability for thiafentanil was less than 10%, and the average recovery was greater than 95%. The lower limit of quantification was 0.1 ng/mL. This is the first validated method for thiafentanil analysis in plasma

The ExoMars Spectral Tool (ExoSpec):an image analysis tool for ExoMars 2020 PanCam imagery

The upcoming launch of the European Space Agency (ESA) ExoMars 2020 rover signals a need for an analysis tool to be created which can exploit the multi- and hyperspectral data that will be returned by its Panoramic Camera (PanCam), Infrared Spectrometer for Mars (ISEM), and Close-UP Imager (CLUPI) instruments. Data processed by this analysis tool will be invaluable in (i) characterising the geology local to the ExoMars rover, (ii) relating ground-based observations to orbital Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) data, (iii) detecting evidence of past habitability on Mars, and (iv) identifying drilling locations. PanCam, ISEM, and CLUPI offer spectral analysis capabilities in both spatial (140-1310 microns/pixel at 2 m working distance) and spectral (440-3300 nm) dimensions. We have developed the ExoMars Spectral Tool (ExoSpec) which functions as a GUI-based extension to ENVI + IDL and performs steps from image import and compilation into ENVI.dat format, flat-fielding, radiometric correction, radiance-toreflectance (R∗) corrections using the in-scene Gretag MacBeth ColorCheckerTM, and calculation of spectral parameters. We demonstrate the functionality of ExoSpec at its current stage of development and illustrate its utility with results from field expeditions to Mars analogue terrains in: (i) geothermally altered basalts in Ńamafjall, Iceland, and (ii) layered alluvial plains deposits in Hanksville, USA, using ExoMars PanCam, ISEM, and CLUPI emulator instruments

Select Metal and Metalloid Surveillance of Free-ranging Eastern Box Turtles from Illinois and Tennessee

The Eastern box turtle has been proposed as a biomonitor because it is long lived, relies on the environment for food and water, and has a small home range. To establish this designation, ISTC partnered with the Illinois Natural History Survey, the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois, and the Clinch River Environmental Studies Organization. Plasma samples from 273 free-range box turtles were collected in 2011 and 2012 in Tennessee and Illinois. Full results reported in Allender, Matthew C., et al (2015). "Select metal and metalloid surveillance of free-ranging Eastern box turtles from Illinois and Tennessee (Terrapene carolina carolina)." Ecotoxicology 24, 1269–1278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-015-1498-5Ope

素数集合上の絶対シンプレクティック構造と絶対ワイル代数

The purpose of this paper is to give the absolute mathematics for the prime set. Absolute mathematics was introduced by N.Kurokawa in order to solve the Riemann conjecture. One of the idea for absolute mathematics is the prime differential on the rational integer Z. We analyze all possible arithmetic generalizations of symplectic and contact structures on a prime set. There are two different types of structures according to the Lagrangian subspace and Legendrian subspace. Main result is that the prime set is characterized by the Lagrangian subspace of absolute symplectic space (T*P, w). We also define a notion of the absolute Weyl algebra

Anthrax: Evolutionary approaches for genetic-based investigative tools

A TaqMan-minor groove binding assay designed around a nonsense mutation in the plcR gene was used to genotype Bacillus anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis isolates. The assay differentiated B. anthracis from these genetic near-neighbors and determined that the nonsense mutation is ubiquitous across 89 globally and genetically diverse B. anthracis strains

Characterizing the epidemiology of ranavirus in North American chelonians: diagnosis, surveillance, pathogenesis, and treatment

Ranaviruses have been proposed as a major threat to amphibian biodiversity, however the impact of these pathogens on reptiles is less well understood. In this dissertation, a quantitative PCR was developed that was 100% efficient in detecting the 54 bp segment of the major capsid protein of frog virus 3 (FV3) (Genus: Ranavirus; Family: Iridoviridae). This assay was used to estimate the prevalence of ranavirus infections in 606 eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) from several different states. The overall prevalence of ranaviruses in this study population was 1.5% (95% confidence interval: 0.8 – 2.9%), with a non-significantly higher prevalence in juveniles (3.5%; 95% CI: 0.9 – 11.9%) than adults (0.5%; 95% CI: 0.1 – 1.8%). The low prevalence found in this population supports the theory that this virus is associated with acute disease and death. Clinical signs recorded in box turtles that were significantly associated with ranavirus infection were fractures and diarrhea. In challenge studies at two separate environmental temperatures, red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) inoculated through intramuscular injection with a FV3-like virus had higher mortality rates when maintained at 22oC than at 28oC, supporting the theory that this virus is less virulent at higher temperatures. FV3-like DNA was detected in whole blood, oral swabs, and cloacal swabs. The sensitivity and specificity of detection in whole blood samples when compared to necropsy were 100%, while sensitivity and specificity in oral and cloacal swabs were found to be 83% and 100%, respectively. Skeletal muscle from injection site and kidney had the highest viral copy number post-mortem, while tongue had the lowest. Significant histopathological changes included fibrinoid vasculitis in all tissues. Clinical signs observed in experimentally inoculated red-eared sliders included lethargy, conjunctivitis, oral plaques, oral ulcers, and injection site swelling. Hematologic changes were evaluated in both free-ranging box turtles and experimentally inoculated red-eared sliders. Red-eared sliders showed only one significant change, a reduction in total solids over time. Box turtles were non-significantly lymphopenic. Intracytoplasmic inclusions were identified in two infected red-eared sliders and one infected box turtle, but they were not consistently associated with ranavirus-status. Treatment of ranavirus with anti-viral therapy has been reported to have variably poor success, but was based on anecdotal dosing recommendations. Pharmacokinetic analysis of a single oral dose of valcyclovir demonstrated measureable levels, and may prove useful against this virus. The work presented in this dissertation provides new insight into the epidemiology of ranavirus in chelonians

Temperature affects the host hematological and cytokine response following experimental ranavirus infection in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans).

Pathogen-host interactions are important components of epidemiological research, but are scarcely investigated in chelonians. Red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), are recognized as a model for frog virus-3 infection (FV3), a ranavirus in the family Iridoviridae that infects multiple classes of ectothermic vertebrates. Previous challenge studies observed differences in disease outcome based on environmental temperature in this species, but the host response was minimally evaluated. We challenged red-eared sliders with an FV3-like ranavirus at both 28°C and 22°C. We monitored several host response variables for 30 days, including: survival (binary outcome and duration), clinical signs, total and differential leukocytes, and select cytokine transcription in the buffy coat (IL-1β, TNFα, IFYg, IL-10). After 30 days, 17% of challenged turtles survived at 28°C (Median survival time [MST]: 15 days, range: 10-30 days) and 50% survived (MST: 28.5 days, range: 23-30 days) at 22°C (range 23-30 days). The most common clinical signs were injection site swelling, palpebral swelling, and lethargy. The heterophil/lymphocyte ratio at 22°C and interleukin-1 beta (IL1β) transcription at both 22°C and 28°C were significantly greater on days 9, 16, and 23 in FV3 challenged groups. Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-10 were transcribed at detectable levels, but did not display significant differences in mean relative transcription quantity over time. Overall, evidence indicates an over-robust immune response leading to death in the challenged turtles. FV3 remains a risk for captive and free-ranging chelonian populations, and insight to host/pathogen interaction through this model helps to elucidate the timing and intensity of the host response that contribute to mortality