1,323 research outputs found
Coccidian Parasites of Wild Turkeys, Meleagris gallopavo silvestris, in Illinois
Fecal samples from 124 wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris), collected in three southern Illinois counties, were examined for coccidia. Three and two tenths percent (4) of the birds sampled were infected with Eimeria of apparently four different species. These species were tentatively designated as: E. meleagridis, E. adendeides, E. meleagrimitis and E. subrotunda
The role of ECL2 in CGRP receptor activation: a combined modelling and experimental approach
The calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor is a complex of a calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR), which is a family B G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and receptor activity modifying protein 1. The role of the second extracellular loop (ECL2) of CLR in binding CGRP and coupling to Gs was investigated using a combination of mutagenesis and modelling. An alanine scan of residues 271–294 of CLR showed that the ability of CGRP to produce cAMP was impaired by point mutations at 13 residues; most of these also impaired the response to adrenomedullin (AM). These data were used to select probable ECL2-modelled conformations that are involved in agonist binding, allowing the identification of the likely contacts between the peptide and receptor. The implications of the most likely structures for receptor activation are discussed.</jats:p
GRACE Measurements of Mass Variability in the Earth System
Monthly gravity field estimates made by the twin Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites have a geoid height accuracy of 2 to 3 millimeters at a spatial resolution as small as 400 kilometers. The annual cycle in the geoid variations, up to 10 millimeters in some regions, peaked predominantly in the spring and fall seasons. Geoid variations observed over South America that can be largely attributed to surface water and groundwater changes show a clear separation between the large Amazon watershed and the smaller watersheds to the north. Such observations will help hydrologists to connect processes at traditional length scales (tens of kilometers or less) to those at regional and global scales
A Survey for Circumstellar Disks Around Young Substellar Objects
(Abridged) We have completed the first systematic survey for disks around
spectroscopically identified young brown dwarfs and very low mass stars. We
have obtained L'-band (3.8 um) imaging for 38 very cool objects in IC 348 and
Taurus. Our targets span spectral types from M6 to M9.5 (~100 to ~15 Mjup).
Using the objects' measured spectral types and extinctions, we find that most
of our sample (77%+/-15%) possess intrinsic IR excesses, indicative of disks.
Because the excesses are modest, conventional analyses using only IR colors
would have missed most of the sources with excesses. The observed IR excesses
are correlated with Halpha emission, consistent with a common accretion disk
origin. The excesses can be explained by disk reprocessing of starlight alone;
the implied accretion rates are at least an order of magnitude below typical
values for classical T Tauri stars. The observed distribution of IR excesses
suggests the presence of inner disk holes. The disk frequency appears to be
independent of the mass and age. In the same star-forming regions, disks around
brown dwarfs are at least as long-lived (~3 Myr) as disks around the T Tauri
stars. Altogether, the frequency and properties of young circumstellar disks
appear to be similar from the stellar regime down to the substellar and
planetary-mass regime. This provides prima facie evidence of a common origin
for most stars and brown dwarfs.Comment: ApJ, in press, 28 pages. Minor change to the online, abridged version
of the abstract. No change to the actual pape
Incision and abdominal wall hernias in patients with aneurysm or occlusive aortic disease
AbstractIntroductionPatients undergoing midline incision for abdominal aortic reconstruction appear to be at greater risk for postoperative incision hernia compared with patients undergoing celiotomy for general surgical procedures. Controversy exists as to whether incidence of abdominal wall hernia and increased risk for incision hernia is higher in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) than in patients operated on because of aortoiliac occlusive disease (AOD). We conducted a prospective multi-institutional study to assess frequency of incision hernia after aortic surgery through a midline laparotomy and of previous abdominal wall hernia.MethodsPatients with AAA (n = 177) or AOD (n = 82) from three major institutions were prospectively enrolled in the study and examined. Data collected included demographic data, cardiopulmonary risk factors, smoking status, history of previous or current abdominal wall hernia (incision, inguinal, umbilical, femoral), previous midline incision, suture type, and postoperative complications. At a minimum of 6 months after laparotomy, patients were evaluated clinically for a new incision hernia. Differences were tested with the unpaired t test, X2 test, or Fisher exact test, and multiple logistic regression was used to control for confounding variables.ResultsMean follow-up of the cohort was 32.8 ± 2.3 months. Rate of abdominal wall hernia and inguinal hernia in patients with AAA versus AOD was 38.4% versus 11% (P = .001) and 23.7% versus 6.1% (P = .003), respectively. Rate of postoperative incision hernia in patients with AAA was 28.2%, and in patients with AOD was 11.0% (P = .002). Adjusting for age, smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, body mass index, diabetes, bowel obstruction, and suture type, patients with AAA had almost a ninefold risk for postoperative incision hernia formation (odds ratio [OR], 8.8; P = .0049).ConclusionCompared with patients with AOD, patients with AAA have a higher frequency of abdominal wall hernia and inguinal hernia, and are at significant increased risk for development of incision hernia postoperatively. The higher frequency of hernia formation in patients with AAA suggests the presence of a structural defect within the fascia. Further studies are needed to delineate the molecular changes of the aorta and its relation to the abdominal wall fascia
P450 3A activity and cyclosporine dosing in kidney and heart transplant recipients
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109917/1/cptclpt1994135.pd
First large-scale study of antimicrobial susceptibility data, and genetic resistance determinants, in Fusobacterium necrophorum highlighting the importance of continuing focused susceptibility trend surveillance
Objectives: The objective of the study was to explore antimicrobial resistance gene determinant, and phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility, data for Fusobacterium necrophorum from a collection of UK strains. In addition, antimicrobial resistance genes detected in publicly available assembled whole genome sequences were investigated for comparison.Methods: Three hundred and eighty five F. necrophorum strains (1982-2019) were revived from cryovials (Prolab). Subsequent to sequencing (Illumina) and quality checking, 374 whole genomes were available for analysis. These genomes, in addition to publicly available assembled F. necrophorum genetic data, were interrogated using BioNumerics (bioMérieux; v 8.1), for the presence of known antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). Agar dilution susceptibility results for 313 F. necrophorum isolates (2016-2021) were also examined.Results: The phenotypic antibiotic test data for the 313 contemporary strains demonstrated potential resistance to penicillin, without increased dosing, in only three isolates. Otherwise, all strains were susceptible to ceftriaxone, clindamycin, co-amoxiclav, meropenem, metronidazole, penicillin and piperacillin/tazobactam, using EUCAST (v 11.0) interpretive guidance. The tet(O), tet(M), tet(40), aph(3’)-III, ant(6)-la and blaOXA-85 ARGs were present in publicly available assembled genomes. tet(M), tet(32), erm(A) and erm(B) were found within the UK strains, with correspondingly raised clindamycin and tetracycline minimum inhibitory concentrations.Conclusions: Current antibiotics recommended for the treatment of infections caused by F. necrophorum, including Lemierre’s disease, are likely to be effective in most cases. However, with evidence of potential ARG transmission from oral bacteria, and the detection of a transposon-mediated beta-lactamase resistance determinant in F. necrophorum, surveillance of both phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial susceptibility trends must continue, and increase.<br/
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