Comparison of Seeding and Sod-Transplant Methods for Restoring Tallgrass Prairie in Southeastern Nebraska.

Data were collected in Fall, 1993 from a 55-year-old re-established grassland to determine the degree of success of seeding and sodding in re-establishing native prairie species. Species Richness of native species was highest in one seeded re-established site (S = 44), but lowest in a second re-established site (S = 23). Species Richness was second highest at the Native site (S = 42). There was a significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in Species Diversity between the one seeded and the native treatments. The high diversity in re-established treatments is consistent with that expected of the Intermediate-Disturbance-Hypothesis suggesting the seral nature of the re-established sites. Of the 69 species recorded, 13 occurred in all treatment areas: Seven native grasses (Andropogon gerardii, Andropogon scorpaius, Bouteloua curtipendula, Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum, Eragrostis spectabilis, Panicum virgatum, and Sorghastrum nutans), four native forbs (Achillea millefolium, Ambrosia psilostachya, and Rosa arkansana), and two exotic grass species (Bromus drummonii, and Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) and non-woody species, particularly Bromus inermis emphasize the concern for appropriate management to minimize the impact of these species on either re-established or native sites. This study indicates that efforts to re-establish native tallgrass prairie, whether they include seeding or sodding, can be successful for at least some of the dominant species. However, successful re-establishment of uncommon vascular plants cannot be concluded from the results of this study. Thus, preservation of extant grassland ecosystems remains the best means by which to ensure their preservation

Candida albicans versus Candida dubliniensis: Why Is C. albicans More Pathogenic?

Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis are highly related pathogenic yeast species. However, C. albicans is far more prevalent in human infection and has been shown to be more pathogenic in a wide range of infection models. Comparison of the genomes of the two species has revealed that they are very similar although there are some significant differences, largely due to the expansion of virulence-related gene families (e.g., ALS and SAP) in C. albicans, and increased levels of pseudogenisation in C. dubliniensis. Comparative global gene expression analyses have also been used to investigate differences in the ability of the two species to tolerate environmental stress and to produce hyphae, two traits that are likely to play a role in the lower virulence of C. dubliniensis. Taken together, these data suggest that C. dubliniensis is in the process of undergoing reductive evolution and may have become adapted for growth in a specialized anatomic niche

Amplification of TLO Mediator Subunit Genes Facilitate Filamentous Growth in Candida Spp

Funding: This work was funded by the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease (AI113390, LCM) and the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences (GM62483, LCM). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision topublish, or preparation of the manuscript.Non peer reviewedPublisher PD

Phenotypic screening, transcriptional profiling, and comparative genomic analysis of an invasive and non-invasive strain of Candida albicans

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Invasion of host tissue by the human fungal pathogen <it>Candida albicans </it>is an important step during the development of candidosis. However, not all <it>C. albicans </it>strains possess the same invasive and virulence properties. For example, the two clinical isolates SC5314 and ATCC10231 differ in their ability to invade host tissue and cause experimental infections. Strain SC5314 is invasive whereas strain ATCC10231 is non-invasive and strongly attenuated in virulence compared to SC5314. In this study we compare the <it>in vitro </it>phenotypic, transcriptional and genomic profiles of these two widely used laboratory strains in order to determine the principal biological and genetic properties responsible for their differential virulence.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In all media tested, the two strains showed the same metabolic flexibility, stress resistance, adhesion properties and hydrolytic enzyme secretion <it>in vitro</it>. However, differences were observed in response to cell-surface disturbing agents and alkaline pH. Furthermore, reduced hyphal formation in strain ATCC10231 under certain conditions correlated with reduced invasive properties in an <it>in vitro </it>invasion assay and a reduced ability to invade epithelial tissue. Despite these diverse phenotypic properties, no substantial genomic differences were detected by comparative genome hybridisation within the open reading frames. However, <it>in vitro </it>transcriptional profiling displayed major differences in the gene expression of these two strains, even under normal <it>in vitro </it>growth conditions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data suggest that the reason for differential virulence of <it>C. albicans </it>strains is not due to the absence of specific genes, but rather due to differences in the expression, function or activity of common genes.</p

The Candida albicans-Specific Gene EED1 Encodes a Key Regulator of Hyphal Extension

The extension of germ tubes into elongated hyphae by Candida albicans is essential for damage of host cells. The C. albicans-specific gene EED1 plays a crucial role in this extension and maintenance of filamentous growth. eed1Δ cells failed to extend germ tubes into long filaments and switched back to yeast growth after 3 h of incubation during growth on plastic surfaces. Expression of EED1 is regulated by the transcription factor Efg1 and ectopic overexpression of EED1 restored filamentation in efg1Δ. Transcriptional profiling of eed1Δ during infection of oral tissue revealed down-regulation of hyphal associated genes including UME6, encoding another key transcriptional factor. Ectopic overexpression of EED1 or UME6 rescued filamentation and damage potential in eed1Δ. Transcriptional profiling during overexpression of UME6 identified subsets of genes regulated by Eed1 or Ume6. These data suggest that Eed1 and Ume6 act in a pathway regulating maintenance of hyphal growth thereby repressing hyphal-to-yeast transition and permitting dissemination of C. albicans within epithelial tissues

Deletion of the Candida albicans TLO gene family results in alterations in membrane sterol composition and fluconazole tolerance

Development of resistance and tolerance to antifungal drugs in Candida albicans can compromise treatment of infections caused by this pathogenic yeast species. The uniquely expanded C. albicans TLO gene family is comprised of 14 paralogous genes which encode Med2, a subunit of the multiprotein Mediator complex which is involved in the global control of transcription. This study investigates the acquisition of fluconazole tolerance in a mutant in which the entire TLO gene family has been deleted. This phenotype was reversed to varying degrees upon reintroduction of representative members of the alpha- and beta-TLO clades (i.e. TLO1 and TLO2), but not by TLO11, a gamma-clade representative. Comparative RNA sequencing analysis revealed changes in the expression of genes involved in a range of cellular functions, including ergosterol biosynthesis, mitochondrial function, and redox homeostasis. This was supported by the results of mass spectrometry analysis, which revealed alterations in sterol composition of the mutant cell membrane. Our data suggest that members of the C. albicans TLO gene family are involved in the control of ergosterol biosynthesis and mitochondrial function and may play a role in the responses of C. albicans to azole antifungal agents

Discovery of the Mexican Blindcat, Prietella phreatophila, in the U.S., and an update on its rangewide conservation status

presented at the 2017 meeting of the Texas Academy of Science at Mary Hardin Baylor University, Belton, TexasMexican blindcat, Prietella phreatophila, was described in 1954 from a single locality in Northern Coahuila, México. Long listed as endangered by the Mexican federal government, it was listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a foreign endangered species in 1970, and the most recent (1996) update of its assessment for the IUCN Red List considers it endangered as well. Explorations in the late 1990s discovered many new localities extending nearly to the international border, and a captive population established provided insights into the species’ basic biology and behavior. In 2016 the species was discovered in a cave in the Amistad National Recreation Area (ANRA), just north of the Río Grande in Texas. The 1970 listing instantly gave the TX population full protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The species’ subterranean and mostly inaccessible habitat endows it with extremely low detectability and its actual range is likely broader than physical sampling of specimens has revealed. We review all prior and new knowledge of the species and its habitat to provide an updated international reassessment of its overall conservation status and threats, which most notably include aquifer depletion and contamination in both the Mexican and U.S. portions of its known range. A live captive population of two specimens collected in 1997 in Coahuila and one Texas specimen is now at the San Antonio Zoo, we are working with NPS to further explore ANRA caves and hope eventually to return to Coahuila to more fully update the species’ conservation status.Integrative Biolog

Enhanced Protection against Ebola Virus Mediated by an Improved Adenovirus-Based Vaccine

Jason S. Richardson is with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Michel K. Yao is with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Kaylie N. Tran is with the Public Health Agency of Canada and University of Manitoba, Maria A. Croyle is with UT Austin, James E. Strong is with the Public Health Agency of Canada and University of Manitoba, Heinz Feldmann is with the Public Health Agency of Canada and University of Manitoba, Gary P. Kobinger is with the Public Health Agency of Canada and University of Manitoba.Background -- The Ebola virus is transmitted by direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals, eliciting death rates as high as 90% among infected humans. Currently, replication defective adenovirus-based Ebola vaccine is being studied in a phase I clinical trial. Another Ebola vaccine, based on an attenuated vesicular stomatitis virus has shown efficacy in post-exposure treatment of nonhuman primates to Ebola infection. In this report, we modified the common recombinant adenovirus serotype 5-based Ebola vaccine expressing the wild-type ZEBOV glycoprotein sequence from a CMV promoter (Ad-CMVZGP). The immune response elicited by this improved expression cassette vector (Ad-CAGoptZGP) and its ability to afford protection against lethal ZEBOV challenge in mice was compared to the standard Ad-CMVZGP vector. Methodology/Principal Findings -- Ad-CMVZGP was previously shown to protect mice, guinea pigs and nonhuman primates from an otherwise lethal challenge of Zaire ebolavirus. The antigenic expression cassette of this vector was improved through codon optimization, inclusion of a consensus Kozak sequence and reconfiguration of a CAG promoter (Ad-CAGoptZGP). Expression of GP from Ad-CAGoptZGP was substantially higher than from Ad-CMVZGP. Ad-CAGoptZGP significantly improved T and B cell responses at doses 10 to 100-fold lower than that needed with Ad-CMVZGP. Additionally, Ad-CAGoptZGP afforded full protections in mice against lethal challenge at a dose 100 times lower than the dose required for Ad-CMVZGP. Finally, Ad-CAGoptZGP induced full protection to mice when given 30 minutes post-challenge. Conclusions/Significance -- We describe an improved adenovirus-based Ebola vaccine capable of affording post-exposure protection against lethal challenge in mice. The molecular modifications of the new improved vaccine also translated in the induction of significantly enhanced immune responses and complete protection at a dose 100 times lower than with the previous generation adenovirus-based Ebola vaccine. Understanding and improving the molecular components of adenovirus-based vaccines can produce potent, optimized product, useful for vaccination and post-exposure therapy.Financial support was received from the following sources: The Public Health Agency of Canada and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear Research and Technology Initiative (grant #CRTI-06-0218RD awarded to GPK). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Pharmac

TFOS DEWS II Report Executive Summary

This article presents an Executive Summary of the conclusions and recommendations of the 10-chapter TFOS DEWS II report. The entire TFOS DEWS II report was published in the July 2017 issue of The Ocular Surface. A downloadable version of the document and additional material, including videos of diagnostic and management techniques, are available on the TFOS website: www.TearFilm.org

Effects of canagliflozin on body weight and relationship to HbA1c and blood pressure changes in patients with type 2 diabetes

De manera general, la apendicitis aguda es la causa de abdomen agudo más frecuente en la edad pediátrica, representa el 10% de todas las admisiones a los diferentes servicios de urgencias; sin embargo, en los niños menores de dos años su presentación es infrecuente, alrededor del 2% de todos los casos de abdomen agudo. Se presenta un caso clínico que corresponde a una paciente de 13 días de vida que fue llevada al servicio de emergencia por presentar vómitos de tipo bilioso. Fue intervenida quirúrgicamente con diagnóstico preoperatorio de atresia intestinal, posterior a la cirugía el diagnóstico definitivo correspondió a apendicitis y peritonitis por perforación apendicular. Se explora y se encuentra como hallazgo quirúrgico: obstrucción íleon terminal con una banda adherida al ciego, apéndice cecal perforada, peritonitis localizada. La apendicitis neonatal puede presentarse en otras patologías como la enfermedad de Hirschsprung, la enterocolitis necrosante, el íleo o el tapón meconial, entre otras. La apendicitis se presenta como un cuadro clínico inespecífico, su diagnóstico se lo realiza como un hallazgo transoperatorio lo que eleva la mortalidad.