Distribution and Abundance of the Kittlitz\u27s Murrelet \u3ci\u3eBrachyramphus brevirostris\u3c/i\u3e in Selected Areas of Southeastern Alaska

We conducted boat-based surveys for the Kittlitz’s Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris during the breeding season in southeastern Alaska from 2002 to 2009. We completed a single survey in seven areas and multiple annual surveys in three areas. Although surveys spanned a broad geographic area, from LeConte Bay in the south to the Lost Coast in the north (~655 km linear distance), roughly 79% of the regional population of Kittlitz’s Murrelet was found in and between Icy and Yakutat bays (~95 km linear distance). The congeneric Marbled Murrelet B. marmoratus outnumbered the Kittlitz’s Murrelet in all areas surveyed except Icy Bay; in fact, Kittlitz’s Murrelet abundance constituted a relatively small proportion (7%) of the total Brachyramphus murrelet abundance in our survey areas. In areas for which there are multiple years of survey data, Kittlitz’s Murrelet abundance varied considerably, whereas Marbled Murrelet abundance was comparatively stable during the same time period. Since the southern distribution of this species has likely narrowed over the last 50 years, and the distribution of the Kittlitz’s Murrelet appears to be restricted to glacially influenced marine waters in southeastern Alaska, we expect that any future changes in glacial extent will likely affect this species and its long-term persistence in the region

The Public Health Response and Epidemiologic Investigation Related to the Opening of a Bacillus anthracis–Containing Envelope, Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.

On October 15, 2001, a U.S. Senate staff member opened an envelope containing Bacillus anthracis spores. Chemoprophylaxis was promptly initiated and nasal swabs obtained for all persons in the immediate area. An epidemiologic investigation was conducted to define exposure areas and identify persons who should receive prolonged chemoprophylaxis, based on their exposure risk. Persons immediately exposed to B. anthracis spores were interviewed; records were reviewed to identify additional persons in this area. Persons with positive nasal swabs had repeat swabs and serial serologic evaluation to measure antibodies to B. anthracis protective antigen (anti-PA). A total of 625 persons were identified as requiring prolonged chemoprophylaxis; 28 had positive nasal swabs. Repeat nasal swabs were negative at 7 days; none had developed anti-PA antibodies by 42 days after exposure. Early nasal swab testing is a useful epidemiologic tool to assess risk of exposure to aerosolized B. anthracis. Early, wide chemoprophylaxis may have averted an outbreak of anthrax in this population

Normalization of the Lymph Node T Cell Stromal Microenvironment in lpr/lpr Mice Is Associated with SU5416-Induced Reduction in Autoantibodies

The vascular-stromal elements of lymph nodes can play important roles in regulating the activities of the lymphocytes within. During model immune responses, the vascular-stromal compartment has been shown to undergo proliferative expansion and functional alterations. The state of the vascular-stromal compartment and the potential importance of this compartment in a spontaneous, chronic model of autoimmunity have not been well studied. Here, we characterize the vascular expansion in MRL-lpr/lpr lymph nodes and attempt to ask whether inhibiting this expansion can interfere with autoantibody generation. We show that characteristics of vascular expansion in enlarging MRL-lpr/lpr lymph nodes resemble that of the VEGF-dependent expansion that occurs in wild-type mice after model immunization. Surprisingly, treatment with SU5416, an inhibitor of VEGF and other receptor tyrosine kinases, did not have sustained effects in inhibiting vascular growth, but attenuated the anti-dsDNA response and altered the phenotype of the double negative T cells that are expanded in these mice. In examining for anatomic correlates of these immunologic changes, we found that the double negative T cells are localized within ectopic follicles around a central B cell patch and that these T cell-rich areas lack the T zone stromal protein ER-TR7 as well as other elements of a normal T zone microenvironment. SU5416 treatment disrupted these follicles and normalized the association between T zone microenvironmental elements and T cell-rich areas. Recent studies have shown a regulatory role for T zone stromal elements. Thus, our findings of the association of anti-dsDNA responses, double negative T cell phenotype, and altered lymphocyte microenvironment suggest the possibility that lymphocyte localization in ectopic follicles protects them from regulation by T zone stromal elements and functions to maintain autoimmune responses. Potentially, altering the lymphocyte microenvironment that is set up by the vascular-stromal compartment can be a means by which to control undesired autoimmune responses

The Contribution of Preterm Birth to the Black–White Infant Mortality Gap, 1990 and 2000

Abstract available at publisher's website.http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2006.09370

The Contribution of Preterm Birth to the Black–White Infant Mortality Gap, 1990 and 2000

Objectives. We evaluated whether the decline of the racial disparity in preterm birth during the last decade was commensurate with a decline in the contribution of preterm birth to the infant mortality gap

COVID-19 symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity in a large survey of first responders and healthcare personnel, May-July 2020

A SARS-CoV-2 serosurvey among first responder/healthcare personnel showed that loss of taste/smell was most predictive of seropositivity; percent seropositivity increased with number of COVID-19 symptoms. However, 22.9% with nine symptoms were seronegative, and 8.3% with no symptoms were seropositive. These findings demonstrate limitations of symptom-based surveillance and importance of testing.Public domain articleThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Glycated serum albumin induces chemokine gene expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Chronic hyperglycemia is thought to be important in the development of diabetic neovascularization but the mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. Interleukinâ 8 (ILâ 8) is a leukocyte chemokine and activating agent with angiogenic properties that is present in diabetic vitreous and may play a role in diabetic vasculopathy. We studied ILâ 8 and monocyte chemotactic proteinâ 1 (MCPâ 1) production by human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells exposed to glycated human serum albumin (GHSA). Enzymeâ linked immunoassay GHSA (500 μg/mL)â treated hRPE cells secreted levels of ILâ 8 and MCPâ 1 detectable within 4 h and reached 26.0 ± 1.3 and 42.2 ± 0.4 ng/106 cells/mL after 24 h, respectively. Induction of ILâ 8 and MCPâ 1 by GHSA at concentrations ranging from 62.5 to 3,000 μg/mL exhibited doseâ dependent kinetics. The GHSAâ induced chemokine secretion by hRPE was almost completely inhibited by actinomycin D and cycloheximide, suggesting that de novo mRNA and protein synthesis are necessary for the GHSAâ induced ILâ 8 and MCPâ 1 production. Northern blot analysis of GHSAâ induced hRPE ILâ 8 and MCPâ 1 mRNA expression corresponded to the timeâ and doseâ dependent increases measured by enzymeâ linked immunosorbent assay. High concentrations of glucose (20 mM; 360 mg/dl) increased GHSAâ induced hRPE ILâ 8 and MCPâ 1 secretion, whereas added insulin (0.5 ng/mL) inhibited ILâ 8 but not MCPâ 1 protein secretion and mRNA expression. GHSA also induced hRPE to secrete GROâ α, RANâ TES, and NAPâ 2 chemokines. GHSA induction of hRPE chemokines further suggests a role for the hRPE in leukocyte infiltration, vascular injury, and neovascularization. J. Leukoc. Biol. 60: 405â 414; 1996.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/141713/1/jlb0405.pd