WEST NILE VIRUS ANTIBODIES IN BREEDING NORTH DAKOTA ICTERIDS

Exotic infectious diseases can have devastating effects on the distribution and abundance ofnaYve wildlife species (Friend et al. 2001). West Nile Virus (WNV) is an exotic disease that was introduced into North America in 1999 and has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of birds (Marra et al. 2004). The natural cycle of WNV involves Culex spp. mosquitoes as principle vectors and birds as principle hosts, although humans, horses, and other mammals can become incidental hosts (Lanciotti et al. 2000). Because the virus can be fatal, outbreaks have become a national health concern for the human population, an economic concern for domestic animal losses, and a conservation concern for the status of free-living wildlife populations (Campbell et al. 2002). For birds, WNV infection can be lethal, but the degree to which birds are adversely affected varies among species and even between individuals within species (Komar et al. 2003). In light of concerns regarding the status of North American bird populations, we captured adult, juvenile, and nestling icterids in central North Dakota and tested them for WNV -specific antibodies. Specifically, we wanted to determine if antibody positive blackbirds were present during the early summer breeding season prior to the peak of mosq~ito populations that typically occurs later in the summer. Sampling during the icterid breeding season also allowed us to test the hypothesis that nestling blackbirds are particularly vulnerable to the virus because they are confined to the nest, lack protective feathers, and have naive immune systems. We also trapped mosquitoes to determine if Culex tarsalis, a known WNV vector in North Dakota (Bell et al. 2005), was present in our study area

An assessment of the US endangered species act recovery plans: using physiology to support conservation

Applying physiology to help solve conservation problems has become increasingly prominent. It is unclear, however, if the increased integration into the scientific community has translated into the application of physiological tools in conservation planning. We completed a review of the use of animal physiology in the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Endangered Species Act (ESA) recovery plans released between 2005 and 2016. Over those 11 years, 135 of the 146 recovery plans mentioned physiology, with 56% including it as background information on the natural history of the species and not as part of the recovery process. Fish and bird species had the lowest proportion of recovery plans to include physiology beyond the description of the natural history. When considering multiple sub-disciplines of physiology, immunology and epidemiology were incorporated as part of the recovery process most often. Our review suggests a disconnect between available physiological tools and the potential role of physiology in developing conservation plans. We provide three suggestions to further guide conservation scientists, managers and physiologists to work synergistically to solve conservation problems: (1) the breadth of knowledge within a recovery plan writing team should be increased, for example, through increased training of federal scientists in new physiology methodologies and tools or the inclusion of authors in academia that have a background in physiology; (2) physiologists should make their research more available to conservation scientists and federal agencies by clearly linking their research to conservation and (3) communication should be enhanced between government conservation scientists and physiologists

Maternal Yolk Steroids: A Potential Compensatory Mechanism for Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) In North Dakota

Many of the suggested management techniques directed at reducing blackbird breeding populations fail to incorporate the underlying mechanisms regulating populations. Theoretically, removal of individuals from the breeding population should lower the breeding densities and presumably reduce recruitment. However, compensatory responses might occur with decreased breeding densities, but no empirical data are available to test this hypothesis. Much of the underlying compensatory theory is based on differential allocation of resources to reproduction vs. self maintenance at different breeding densities, mainly in the form of depensatory effects of resource limitation on growth and survival. However, as the breeding density in an area changes, social interactions among individuals also change (Whittingham and Schwabl 2002; Pilz and Smith 2004). Recent research has shown maternally derived steroid hormones present in eggs offer a potential compensatory mechanism by which adult social interactions affect offspring growth and survival (Schwabl 1996a; Schwabl 1996b). Gaining insight into the underlying mechanisms regulating red-winged blackbird populations will allow for more effective and efficient management techniques. This study focuses on the effects of density and social interactions on nesting female red-winged blackbirds and the effects of maternally derived yolk steroids on offspring survival

Carotenoid supplementation and GnRH challenges influence female endocrine physiology, immune function, and egg-yolk characteristics in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

Androgens and antioxidants circulating in plasma affect the physiology and behavior of vertebrates. Much is known about control mechanisms and functions of each of these substances, yet their interactive effects are still not well understood. Her we examine possible independent and interactive effects of maternal testosterone and antioxidants on female endocrine physiology, immunocompetence, and deposition into egg yolks. We simultaneously manipulated levels of testosterone (via gonadotropin-releasing hormone ?GnRH- challenges) and carotenoids (via diet supplementation) in captive female Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) and examined how plasma circulating levels related to deposition patterns in yolks. Forty-eight females were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: carotenoid supplementation, GnRH-challenge, GnRH challenge+carotenoid supplementation, and control. Carotenoid supplementation significantly increased plasma circulating carotenoid levels, and acquired immune-system performance, but not innate immunity. GnRH-challenges elevated circulating testosterone and carotenoid levels, and induced immunosuppression in females. However, females in the GnRH-challenge+carotenoid supplementation treatment mounted higher cell-mediated immune responses than control females and similar responses to those mounted by carotenoid-supplemented females. Hence, availability of carotenoids in female quail seemed to counteract immunosuppressive effects of GnRH-challenges. Our results provide further evidence for synergistic effects of carotenoids and T on endocrine physiology and immune function of female birds. Elevated plasma testosterone or carotenoids levels resulted in increased deposition of those compounds to eggs, respectively. Furthermore, because we found that concentrations of testosterone and antioxidants in yolks were correlated within each treatment group, differential deposition of hormones and antioxidants in eggs may not only respond to surrounding social and environmental conditions, but also to other components of the egg.Fil: Peluc, Susana Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Reed, Wendy L.. North Dakota State University; Estados UnidosFil: McGraw, Kevin J.. Arizona State University; Estados UnidosFil: Gibbs, Penelope S.. North Dakota State University; Estados Unido

The change in weight perception of weight status among the overweight: comparison of NHANES III (1988–1994) and 1999–2004 NHANES

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>This study seeks to determine whether perception of weight status among the overweight has changed with the increasing overweight/obesity prevalence.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The perception of weight status was compared between overweight participants (BMI between 25.0–29.9 kg/m²) from NHANES III (1988–1994) and overweight participants from NHANES 1999–2004. Perception of weight status was assessed by asking participants to classify their weight as about the right weight, underweight or overweight. Comparisons were made across age groups, genders, race/ethnicities and various income levels.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fewer overweight people during the NHANES 1999–2004 survey perceived themselves as overweight when compared to overweight people during the NHANES III survey. The change in distortion between the survey periods was greatest among persons with lower income, males and African-Americans.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The increase in overweight/obesity between the survey years (NHANES III and NHANES 1999–2004 has been accompanied with fewer overweight people perceiving themselves as overweight.</p

Crash cost estimates for European countries, deliverable 3.2 of the H2020 project SafetyCube

Crash cost estimates for European countries, deliverable 3.2 of the H2020 project SafetyCub

A mixed methods study of hope, transitions, and quality of life in family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several research studies have reported the poor quality of life of family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, factors that influence their quality of life have not been clearly defined. The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with the quality of life of these caregivers such as demographic variables, their transition experience, and hope. A secondary aim was to explore the transition experience of family caregivers of persons with AD.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional triangulation data transformation model mixed method design (Quant +Qual) was utilized to address the purpose of the study. Eighty family caregivers of persons with AD completed a survey with quantitative measures [demographic variables, Herth Hope Index (HHI-hope), World Health Organization Quality of Life -BREF (WHOQOL-BREF)] and a qualitative survey about their transitions experience. The qualitative data (transition open ended- survey) was converted to quantitative data using content analysis. Variables significant at the p < 0.10 level in the univariate analysis were entered in the multivariate generalized linear model used to determine significant factors associated with quality of life.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Subjects with higher hope scores (p < 0.0001) (Factor 1: temporality and future-cognitive-temporary dimension of hope) and who dealt with their transitions by actively seeking out knowledge and assistance (p = 0.02) had higher overall quality of life scores. HHI scores were associated with overall quality of life and for each of the four quality of life domains (physical psychosocial, relationships, and environment).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Hope played a significant role in the subjects' perceptions of overall quality of life as well as the 4 quality of life domains. This underscores the need to develop ways to foster hope in family caregivers. Moreover, the active engagement of families in seeking information and help, as a way to deal with their transitions, suggests encouraging this engagement is important. The findings of this study also suggest many directions for future research, such as increasing our understanding of the processes of transitions for this population.</p

Genetic mechanisms of critical illness in COVID-19.

Host-mediated lung inflammation is present1, and drives mortality2, in the critical illness caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Host genetic variants associated with critical illness may identify mechanistic targets for therapeutic development3. Here we report the results of the GenOMICC (Genetics Of Mortality In Critical Care) genome-wide association study in 2,244 critically ill patients with COVID-19 from 208 UK intensive care units. We have identified and replicated the following new genome-wide significant associations: on chromosome 12q24.13 (rs10735079, P = 1.65 × 10-8) in a gene cluster that encodes antiviral restriction enzyme activators (OAS1, OAS2 and OAS3); on chromosome 19p13.2 (rs74956615, P = 2.3 × 10-8) near the gene that encodes tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2); on chromosome 19p13.3 (rs2109069, P = 3.98 ×  10-12) within the gene that encodes dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9); and on chromosome 21q22.1 (rs2236757, P = 4.99 × 10-8) in the interferon receptor gene IFNAR2. We identified potential targets for repurposing of licensed medications: using Mendelian randomization, we found evidence that low expression of IFNAR2, or high expression of TYK2, are associated with life-threatening disease; and transcriptome-wide association in lung tissue revealed that high expression of the monocyte-macrophage chemotactic receptor CCR2 is associated with severe COVID-19. Our results identify robust genetic signals relating to key host antiviral defence mechanisms and mediators of inflammatory organ damage in COVID-19. Both mechanisms may be amenable to targeted treatment with existing drugs. However, large-scale randomized clinical trials will be essential before any change to clinical practice

Genetic diversity fuels gene discovery for tobacco and alcohol use

Tobacco and alcohol use are heritable behaviours associated with 15% and 5.3% of worldwide deaths, respectively, due largely to broad increased risk for disease and injury(1-4). These substances are used across the globe, yet genome-wide association studies have focused largely on individuals of European ancestries(5). Here we leveraged global genetic diversity across 3.4 million individuals from four major clines of global ancestry (approximately 21% non-European) to power the discovery and fine-mapping of genomic loci associated with tobacco and alcohol use, to inform function of these loci via ancestry-aware transcriptome-wide association studies, and to evaluate the genetic architecture and predictive power of polygenic risk within and across populations. We found that increases in sample size and genetic diversity improved locus identification and fine-mapping resolution, and that a large majority of the 3,823 associated variants (from 2,143 loci) showed consistent effect sizes across ancestry dimensions. However, polygenic risk scores developed in one ancestry performed poorly in others, highlighting the continued need to increase sample sizes of diverse ancestries to realize any potential benefit of polygenic prediction.Peer reviewe