Technology transfer program for local transportation agencies

Issued as Progress reports, nos. 10 and 12, and Annual report, Project no. E-20-624 (continued by E-20-64

RTAP-Technology Transfer Centers accomplishments report : rewrite

Issued as Reports, nos. 1-2, Project no. E-20-60

Novel approaches to characterizing feline-associated dermatophytic fungi

Includes bibliographical references.2022 Fall.Dermatophytes are highly infectious fungi that cause superficial infections in keratinized tissues in humans and animals. This group of fungi is defined by their ability to digest keratin and encompasses a wide range of species. Classification of many of these species has recently changed due to genetic analysis, potentially affecting clinical diagnosis and disease management. In Chapter One, we review dermatophyte classification including name changes for medically important species, current and potential diagnostic techniques for detecting dermatophytes, and an in-depth review of Microsporum canis, a prevalent zoonotic dermatophyte. M. canis commonly causes dermatophytosis in humans and cats, and is adapting to its primary host (domestic cats) as one of its mating types (MAT1-2) appears to be going extinct. Assessment of genetic variation among M. canis isolates in the United States has not been conducted. Further, M. canis mating type and assessment of disease severity associated with genotypic characteristics have not been rigorously evaluated. In Chapter Two, M. canis was isolated from 191 domestic cats across the US and characterized genotypes by evaluation of ITS sequence, MAT locus, and microsatellite loci analysis. The genes SSU1 and SUB3, which are associated with keratin adhesion and digestion, were sequenced from a subset of isolates to evaluate potential genetic associations with virulence. Analysis of microsatellite makers revealed three M. canis genetic clusters. Both clinic location and disease severity were significant predictors of microsatellite variants. 100% of the M. canis isolates were MAT1-1 mating gene type, indicating that MAT1-2 is very rare or extinct in the US and that asexual reproduction is the dominant form of replication. No genetic variation at SSU1 and SUB3 was observed. These findings pave the way for novel testing modalities for M. canis and provide insights about transmission and ecology of this ubiquitous and relatively uncharacterized agent. Chapter Three evaluated four dermatophytosis cases occurring in kittens collected from the study in Chapter Two that yielded fungi with colony morphology more similar to Arthroderma species than Microsporum. Morphologic and microscopic examinations were conducted, and gene segments for the ITS, β-tubulin, and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) regions were sequenced from DNA extracted from these cultures. Sequences were aligned to other dermatophytes using maximum likelihood and neighbor-joining trees and were compared to previously described fungal species to assess nucleotide homology. We identified two previously undescribed fungal species, herein as Arthroderma lilyanum sp. nov. and Arthroderma mcgillisianum sp. nov. M. canis co-cultured in two of the four cases. Other physiologic tests supported this diagnosis. These species have significance as potential pathogens and should be considered as rule-outs for dermatophytosis in cats. The potential for infection of other species, including humans, should be considered. In Chapter Four, we investigated a critical adhesion protein (Sub3) utilized by M. canis during initial stages of infection, analyzing its production and expression under varying growth conditions. Additionally, as this protein must be expressed and produced for dermatophyte infections to occur, we developed and optimized a diagnostic antibody assay targeting this protein. While clinical samples of M. canis were found to have low Sub3 production, Sub3 levels were increased in culture when grown in baffled flasks and supplemented with either L-cysteine or cat hair. As Sub3 was also produced in cultures not supplemented with keratin or cysteine, this study demonstrated that Sub3 expression is not reliant on the present of keratin or its derivatives. These findings could help direct future metabolic studies of dermatophytes, particularly during the adherence phase of infections. Chapter Five explored two molecular approaches for developing diagnostic assays for dermatophytosis based on keratin metabolites: sulfite and S-sulfocysteine (SSC). Currently, fungal culture is still considered the "gold standard" for diagnosing dermatophytosis, however, modern molecular assays have overcome the main disadvantages of culture, allowing for tandem use with cultures. The first approach involved a starch and iodine indicator that reacts with sulfite and SSC, resulting in a visual color change. While this method had a low limit of detection, the indicator had many off-target reactions, leading to low specificity for dermatophyte metabolites. The second approach utilized tandem liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, targeting SSC. Using the same cultures performed in Chapter Four, we were able to detect and quantify SSC from M. canis cultures grown with hair at days 15 and 18 post inoculation. These findings demonstrated that SSC is consumed/degraded by the fungi, particularly during early growth stages. Collectively, this work provides future directions for genetic and metabolic studies of dermatophytes and how to leverage unique characteristics of dermatophytes for developing novel diagnostic assays. We conclude that M. canis genetics influence clinical disease presentation and further whole genome studies could help elucidate key genetic regions involved in dermatophyte pathogenesis. Furthermore, as M. canis continues to adapt to its primary host of cats, having a rapid, accurate diagnostic assay will become even more critical, particularly in high-density populations

Examining the relationship between snow cover and reservoir storage in the American River basin

This study focused on finding evidence of a relationship between snow cover and reservoir storage in the American River basin. Water availability is very important to the future of California. Landsat Thematic Mapper images of the area taken from 1985-2011 were analyzed by calculating Normalized Difference Snow Index and calculating snow acres. The peak storage data were obtained for Folsom Lake for the same time period as the satellite images. The evaluation of these methods showed that over time there was a correlation between snow cover and reservoir storage downstream

Analyzing polysemiosis: Language, gesture, and depiction in two cultural practices with sand drawing

Human communication is by default polysemiotic: it involves the spontaneous combination of two or more semiotic systems, the most important ones being language, gesture, and depiction. We formulate an original cognitive-semiotic framework for the analysis of polysemiosis, contrasting this with more familiar systems based on the ambiguous term “multimodality.” To be fully explicit, we developed a coding system for the analysis of polysemiotic utterances containing speech, gesture, and drawing, and implemented this in the ELAN video annotation software. We used this to analyze 23 video-recordings of sand drawing performances on Paama, Vanuatu and 20 sand stories of the Pitjantjatjara culture in Central Australia. Methodologically we used the conceptual-empirical loop of cognitive semiotics: our theoretical framework guided general considerations, such as distinguishing between the “tiers” of gesture and depiction, and the three kinds of semiotic grounds (iconic, indexical, symbolic), but the precise decisions on how to operationalize these were made only after extensive work with the material. We describe the coding system in detail and provide illustrative examples from the Paamese and Pitjantjatjara data, remarking on both similarities and differences in the polysemiosis of the two cultural practices. We conclude by summarizing the contributions of the study and point to some directions for future research

First recorded outbreak of Veronaea botryosa in North American amphibians: Clinicopathologic features of a rare cause of phaeohyphomycosis in captive White’s tree frogs (Litoria caerulea)

We describe fatal phaeohyphomycosis due to Veronaea botryosa in captive White’s tree frogs (Litoria caerulea), the first confirmed report in amphibians in North America. Over 15 months, six frogs developed ulcerative dermatitis on distal extremities/ventrum, which in one animal progressed to vasculitis and necrotizing osteomyelitis. All six frogs died. Clinicopathologic findings, diagnostic challenges, and control are discussed. Emerging fungi such as V. botryosa pose serious concerns for zoonosis and potential spread through the pet trade

COMPARISON OF CRM-SYSTEMS

Розглянуто сучасний ринок CRM-систем країн СНГ, обрано кілька найпопулярніших систем і подано характеристику кожної з них. Порівняння шести CRM-систем за шістнадцятьма ознаками подано у вигляді таблиці. Використовуючи інформацію з цієї таблиці і оперуючи запропонованою системою порівняння, будь-хто зможе без проблем оцінити і вибрати будь-яку іншу CRM. В огляді розглянуто такі системи: Megaplan CRM, bpm'online Sales, Bitrix 24 CRM, Amo CRM, 1C CRM, Mango CRM. Надано рекомендації щодо опрацювання таблиці. Оцінювання проведено за 4-бальною шкалою, деякі функції мають не числовий, а текстовий формат порівняння. Обчислювати загальну кількість балів для кожної системи і вибирати її на такій підставі не рекомендовано, оскільки у кожної системи є свої сильні і слабкі позиції, а вибирати систему потрібно відповідно до головних вимог і наявності необхідного функціоналу. Виявлено слабкі і сильні позиції кожної з порівнюваних СРМ, подано в детальному описі під даними таблиці. З'ясовано, що дані системи можуть підійти для малих і середніх компаній. Під час вибору системи рекомендовано оцінити основні вимоги компанії до CRM і з'ясувати, в якої із систем необхідні функції реалізовані найкраще. На нашу думку, це дослідження допоможе недосвідченим молодим компаніям обрати CRM-систему, яка найкраще підходить вимогам їхнього бізнесу. Також для кожної з поданих у роботі систем взаємодії з клієнтами оцінено вплив їх впровадження на конкретний бізнес для вирішення типових повсякденних завдань підприємства.Рассмотрен современный рынок CRM-систем стран СНГ, избрано несколько самых популярных систем и дана характеристика каждой из них. Сравнение шести CRM-систем по шестнадцати признакам представлено в виде таблицы. Используя информацию из данной таблицы и оперируя предложенной системой сравнения, любой сможет без проблем оценить и выбрать любую другую CRM. В обзоре рассмотрены следующие системы: Megaplan CRM, bpm'online Sales, Bitrix 24 CRM, Amo CRM, 1C CRM, Mango CRM. Предоставлены рекомендации к чтению таблицы. Оценку проведено по 4-балльной шкале, некоторые функции имеют не числовой, а текстовый формат сравнения. Вычислять общее количество баллов для каждой системы и выбирать ее таким образом не рекомендовано, поскольку у каждой системы есть свои сильные и слабые стороны, а выбирать систему нужно в соответствии с вашими главными требованиям и наличием необходимого функционала. Выявлены слабые и сильные стороны каждой из сравниваемых СРМ и предоставлены в подробном описании под данными таблицы. Выяснено, что данные системы могут подойти для малых и средних компаний. При выборе системы рекомендовано оценить основные требования компании к CRM и посмотреть, в какой из систем необходимые функции реализованы лучше. Также оценено влияние внедрения представленных в исследовании систем взаимодействия с клиентами на конкретный бизнес для решения типовых повседневных бизнес-задач предприятия.The authors have examined the current market of CRM systems of the CIS countries, selected some of the most popular systems and given the characteristics of each of them. The comparison of six CRM-systems by sixteen signs is presented as a table. Using information from this table and operating the proposed comparison system, anyone can easily evaluate and choose any other CRM. The review will consider the following systems: Megaplan CRM, bpm'online Sales, Bitrix 24 CRM, Amo CRM, 1C CRM, Mango CRM. The recommendations for the analysing of the table were provided. The score is based on the 4-point scale; some of the functions have non-numeric, but the text format of the comparison. It is not recommended to calculate the total number of points for each system and to choose it after this calculation, because each system has its own strengths and weaknesses, and it is necessary to choose the system according to your main requirements and the availability of the necessary functionality. The weaknesses and strengths of each of the compared CRMs were found and presented in a detailed description below the table. It is explained that these systems can be suitable for small and medium-sized companies. During the selection it is recommended to evaluate the main requirements to the CRM system and analyze where these functions are best implemented. For example, there are customizable fields in the Bitrix24 system – "Agreements" and "Contacts", a fairly large selection of options for setting up tasks, a calendar to display them, a corporate portal with cloud storage and video chats. BPMonline, in its turn, occupies the first lines of CRM ratings, has excellent analytical capabilities of the system: the ability to trace the path from the first client appeal to purchase, a well-thought-out electronic document management system, integration with financial programs, but unlike Bitrix24, it does not have a corporate portal and has a fairly high subscription price. Therefore, the choice of the CPM for the enterprise should be guided primarily by the needs of the enterprise. The impact of the implementation on a particular business was assessed for each of the submitted systems

Membranous expression of Her3 is associated with a decreased survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) still remains a lethal malignancy benefiting from the identification of the new target for early detection and/or development of new therapeutic regimens based on a better understanding of the biological mechanism for treatment. The overexpression of Her2 and Her3 receptors have been identified in various solid tumors, but its prognostic relevance in HNSCC remains controversial.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Three hundred eighty-seven primary HNSCCs, 20 matching metasis and 17 recurrent HNSCCs were arrayed into tissue microarrays. The relationships between Her2 and Her3 protein expression and clinicopathological parameters/survival of HNSCC patients were analyzed with immunohistochemistry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Her3 is detected as either a cytoplasmic or a membranous dominant expression pattern whereas Her2 expression showed uniform membranous form. In primary tumor tissues, high membranous Her2 expression level was found in 104 (26.9%) cases while positive membranous and cytoplasmic Her3 expression was observed in 34 (8.8%) and 300 (77.5%) samples, respectively. Membranous Her2 expression was significantly associated with histological grade (<it>P </it>= 0.021), as grade 2 tumors showed the highest positive expression. Membranous Her3 over-expression was significantly prevalent in metastatic tissues compared to primary tumors (<it>P </it>= 0.003). Survival analysis indicates that membranous Her3 expression is significantly associated with worse overall survival (<it>P </it>= 0.027) and is an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-2.23; <it>P </it>= 0.040).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results suggest that membranous Her3 expression is strongly associated with poor prognosis of patients with HNSCC and is a potential candidate molecule for targeted therapy.</p