A Global Perspective on H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus

H9N2 avian influenza viruses have become globally widespread in poultry over the last two decades and represent a genuine threat both to the global poultry industry but also humans through their high rates of zoonotic infection and pandemic potential. H9N2 viruses are generally hyperendemic in affected countries and have been found in poultry in many new regions in recent years. In this review, we examine the current global spread of H9N2 avian influenza viruses as well as their host range, tropism, transmission routes and the risk posed by these viruses to human health

CHEMICAL CONTROL OF THE REDBAY AMBROSIA BEETLE, XYLEBORUS GLABRATUS, AND OTHER SCOLYTINAE (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE)

A BSTRACT The redbay ambrosia beetle (RAB), Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is an adventive pest of Lauraceae in the southeastern U.S. This wood-boring insect vectors a lethal fungus, Raffaelea lauricola T. C. Harr., Fraedrich & Aghayeva , the causal agent of laurel wilt (LW) disease. The vector-pathogen complex is responsible for extensive mortality of native Persea trees in South Carolina, Georgia, and northern Florida, and now poses an imminent threat to the avocado ( Persea americana Mill.) industry in south Florida. While chemical control of the vector is not viewed as the primary solution, control tactics should be made available to Florida avocado growers. Field and laboratory tests were conducted using avocado bolts, potted avocado trees, and field grown swampbay trees ( Persea palustris (Raf.) Sarg.) treated with contact and systemic insecticides. Zeta-cypermethrin + bifenthrin and lambda-cyhalothrin + thiamethoxam provided the most consistent control of Scolytinae as contact insecticides, while methomyl, malathion, bifenthrin, and endosulfan were more variable in effectiveness. Avocado trees treated with fenpropathrin, cryolite Na Al fluoride, and lambda-cyhalothrin+thiametoxam had similar numbers of beetle entrance holes on treated trees as on the untreated control trees. No statistical differences were observed in disease severity on treated versus non-treated avocados or swampbay. Linear regressions between the number of RAB entrance holes per tree ( x) and LW disease severity ( y a ) and between RAB entrance holes per tree ( x) and recovery of R. lauricola ( y b ) were both significant. Key Words: Redbay ambrosia beetle, avocado, Persea , Xyleborus , Xylosandrus , Hypothenemus , chemical control R ESUMEN El cucarroncito de ambrosia del laurel, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), es una plaga exótica de la familia Lauraceae que ha invadido el suroriente de los Estados Unidos. Este insecto barrenador es el vector del hongo, Raffaelea lauricola T.C. Harr., Fraedrich & Aghayeva, agente causal de la enfermedad del secamiento del laurel. El complejo vector-patógeno es responsable de una extensa mortalidad de arboles nativos del genero Persea en Carolina del Sur, Georgia y en el norte de Florida y representa una amenaza inminente para la industria del aguacate ( Persea americana Mill.) de Florida. Aunque el control químico no es la única solución a este problema, se estima que este tipo de opción de tác-ticas se debe ofrecer a los productores de aguacate. Se condujeron experimentos tanto en campo como en laboratorio utilizando troncos de aguacate, arboles de aguacate y arboles del laurel de la ciénaga ( P. palustris (Raf.) Sarg.), los cuales se trataron con insecticidas de contacto y sistémicos. En general, zetaciypermetrina + bifenthrina y lambda-cyalotrina + tiametoxam dieron un control consistente de los Scolytinae como insecticidas de contacto, mientras que metomíl, malatión y bifentrina y endosulfan dieron resultados variables. No hubo diferencias significativas en los orificios de entrada de los cucarroncitos cuando se trataron los arboles de aguacate con fenpropatrina, floruro de cryolita NA Al y lambda-cyalotrina-tiametoxam comparado con los arboles testigo. No se observaron diferencias estadísticas en cuanto a la severidad de la enfermedad entre árboles tratados y aquellos no tratados. Sin embargo, modelos de regresión lineal entre el número de orificios por árbol ( x

Identification of regulatory variants associated with genetic susceptibility to meningococcal disease.

Non-coding genetic variants play an important role in driving susceptibility to complex diseases but their characterization remains challenging. Here, we employed a novel approach to interrogate the genetic risk of such polymorphisms in a more systematic way by targeting specific regulatory regions relevant for the phenotype studied. We applied this method to meningococcal disease susceptibility, using the DNA binding pattern of RELA - a NF-kB subunit, master regulator of the response to infection - under bacterial stimuli in nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. We designed a custom panel to cover these RELA binding sites and used it for targeted sequencing in cases and controls. Variant calling and association analysis were performed followed by validation of candidate polymorphisms by genotyping in three independent cohorts. We identified two new polymorphisms, rs4823231 and rs11913168, showing signs of association with meningococcal disease susceptibility. In addition, using our genomic data as well as publicly available resources, we found evidences for these SNPs to have potential regulatory effects on ATXN10 and LIF genes respectively. The variants and related candidate genes are relevant for infectious diseases and may have important contribution for meningococcal disease pathology. Finally, we described a novel genetic association approach that could be applied to other phenotypes

Letter from T[homas] Magee to John Muir, 1880 Jul 15.

[2]much & knows how wet it is in that region & what [illegible] there is of fixing rheumatism on me But, maybe now when it comes to the scratch, he wishes he had not offered me a pass, which [was an offer?] of his own exclusively Besides, I have not yet seen Doctor Douglass I went twice to see him, but he was out. I will necessarily be guided by what he says, for I am by no means happy over the way this confounded thing hangs on to me. But it will go hard with me if I do not now have a jolly trip with you[3] 00935[letterhead]San Francisco, ……………………………………………. 1880.Yet your pass for Victoria & not for Portland. Though I think we would be all right anyway, to go up to Astoria. The Oregon steamer leaves here on the 30th at 10 AM for Portland That leaves 14 hours of the 30th & 24 hours of the 31st & at least 6 hours of the 1st before the Cala wont get down to Astoria That will be 44 hours in all. When I came down the Oregon was only 36 hours, but of course going up now is much slower workhttps://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmcl/35263/thumbnail.jp

Letter from T[homas] Magee to John Muir, 1880 Jul 15.

[1] 00935[letterhead]San Francisco, July 15 1880. Thursday 6 PMFriend Muir: — I saw Cornwall just now He says we can leave on the steamer of the 30th for Victoria & catch the California there He makes the Cala wait at Victoria until the steamer from here gets up to Victoria. So that suits me exactly. I told him I had arranged to go up with you, & he said he would treat us well, but he strongly advised me not to go, after the accident. He has been up on the Puget Sound coasthttps://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmcl/35262/thumbnail.jp

Letter from T[homas] Magee to John Muir, 1880 Jul 15.

[4][illegible] sounds p[illegible] The Victoria route is the sure one. I will see Dr Douglas to-day or to-morrow With best respects to Mrs Strentzel, the Doctor Mrs Muir & yourself I am Yours truly J Mageehttps://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmcl/35264/thumbnail.jp

Letter from T[homas] Magee to John Muir, 1880 Jul 15.

[1] 00935[letterhead]San Francisco, July 15 1880. Thursday 6 PMFriend Muir: — I saw Cornwall just now He says we can leave on the steamer of the 30th for Victoria & catch the California there He makes the Cala wait at Victoria until the steamer from here gets up to Victoria. So that suits me exactly. I told him I had arranged to go up with you, & he said he would treat us well, but he strongly advised me not to go, after the accident. He has been up on the Puget Sound coasthttps://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmcl/35262/thumbnail.jp

Letter from S[amuel] T[homas] Pickard to John Muir, 1913 Jan 30.

Amesbury, Mass.Jan 3. 1913-Mr. John Muir:I have always been greatly interested in all you have written. My brother Prof. Joseph C. Pickard used to talk about you so much, before I found you in print. I wonder if my brother is remembered by you. He was Prof. in the University of Wisconsin, & another brother, Josiah L. Pickard, 053652was one of the Regents of the University, & also Supt. of the Schools of the State.I thought it possible that there was a reference to my brother in the Feb. No. of the Atlantic. He is not now living, but the older brother Josiah is still alive in 89th year, at Cupertino, Cal.Joseph\u27s enthusiasm whenever he spoke of you, & that was often, always impressed me.I am Whittier\u27s biographer, & am living in his Amesbury house.Very truly yoursS. T. Pickard05365https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmcl/42204/thumbnail.jp