Showing papers by "Justin C. Brown published in 2021"
TL;DR: The authors analyzed recombination dynamics among three groups of coronaviruses with noteworthy impacts on human health and agriculture: SARSr-CoV, Betacoronavirus-1, and SADSrCoV.
Abstract: The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is the third zoonotic coronavirus identified in the last twenty years Enzootic and epizootic coronaviruses of diverse lineages also pose a significant threat to livestock, as most recently observed for virulent strains of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and swine acute diarrhea-associated coronavirus (SADS-CoV) Unique to RNA viruses, coronaviruses encode a proofreading exonuclease (ExoN) that lowers point mutation rates to increase the viability of large RNA virus genomes, which comes with the cost of limiting virus adaptation via point mutation This limitation can be overcome by high rates of recombination that facilitate rapid increases in genetic diversification To compare dynamics of recombination between related sequences, we developed an open-source computational workflow (IDPlot) to measure nucleotide identity, locate recombination breakpoints, and infer phylogenetic relationships We analyzed recombination dynamics among three groups of coronaviruses with noteworthy impacts on human health and agriculture: SARSr-CoV, Betacoronavirus-1, and SADSr-CoV We found that all three groups undergo recombination with highly diverged viruses from sparsely sampled or undescribed lineages, which can disrupt the inference of phylogenetic relationships In most cases, no parental origin of recombinant regions could be found in genetic databases, suggesting that much coronavirus diversity remains unknown These patterns of recombination expand the genetic pool that may contribute to future zoonotic events Our results also illustrate the limitations of current sampling approaches for anticipating zoonotic threats to human and animal health
26 citations
TL;DR: In a recent symposium called "Hitting a Triple-Diabetes, Obesity, and the Emerging Links to Cancer Risk," convened by The Obesity Society during ObesityWeek 2019, experts in the field presented the current science and highlighted existing research gaps as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Obesity and type 2 diabetes are both chronic, relapsing, progressive diseases that are recognized as risk factors for the development of multiple types of cancer. In a recent symposium titled "Hitting A Triple-Diabetes, Obesity, and the Emerging Links to Cancer Risk," convened by The Obesity Society during ObesityWeek 2019, experts in the field presented the current science and highlighted existing research gaps. Topics included (1) the epidemiology of obesity and diabetes and their links to cancer risk; (2) racial and ethnic differences in obesity, diabetes, and cancer risk; (3) biological mechanisms common to obesity and diabetes that may increase cancer risk; and (4) innovative interventions that can be used to prevent the development of cancers related to obesity and diabetes. This report provides an overview of the symposium and describes key research gaps and pressing questions in need of answers to advance the field. The collective burden of obesity, diabetes, and cancer represents one of the largest public health challenges of the century. Although the symposium was titled "hitting a triple," it was recognized that being able to disrupt the linkages among obesity, diabetes, and cancer would be a "grand slam" for public health and medicine.
15 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated whether body weight stability is associated with skeletal muscle depletion and whether skeletal muscle deplete is prognostic of death independently of change in body weight in colorectal cancer patients.
15 citations
University of Maryland, Baltimore1, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust2, Newcastle University3, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven4, Boston Children's Hospital5, Monash University, Clayton campus6, Università Campus Bio-Medico7, American University of Beirut8, Great Ormond Street Hospital9, University of Bristol10, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust11
TL;DR: Investigating the functional effects of 13 CLCN7 mutations identified in 13 new patients with severe or mild osteopetrosis and a known ADO2 mutation suggested a correlation between the lack of ClC‐7/Ostm1 in lysosomes and severe neurodegeneration.
Abstract: ClC-7 is a chloride-proton antiporter of the CLC protein family. In complex with its accessory protein Ostm-1, ClC-7 localizes to lysosomes and to the osteoclasts' ruffled border, where it plays a critical role in acidifying the resorption lacuna during bone resorption. Gene inactivation in mice causes severe osteopetrosis, neurodegeneration, and lysosomal storage disease. Mutations in the human CLCN7 gene are associated with diverse forms of osteopetrosis. The functional evaluation of ClC-7 variants might be informative with respect to their pathogenicity, but the cellular localization of the protein hampers this analysis. Here we investigated the functional effects of 13 CLCN7 mutations identified in 13 new patients with severe or mild osteopetrosis and a known ADO2 mutation. We mapped the mutated amino acid residues in the homology model of ClC-7 protein, assessed the lysosomal colocalization of ClC-7 mutants and Ostm1 through confocal microscopy, and performed patch-clamp recordings on plasma-membrane-targeted mutant ClC-7. Finally, we analyzed these results together with the patients' clinical features and suggested a correlation between the lack of ClC-7/Ostm1 in lysosomes and severe neurodegeneration. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
11 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors tested the hypothesis that exercise alone, diet alone, and the combination of exercise plus diet reduce body weight and improve body composition in survivors of breast cancer.
Abstract: Obesity increases the risk of cancer recurrence and death in survivors of breast cancer This study tested the hypothesis that exercise alone, diet alone, and the combination of exercise plus diet reduce body weight and improve body composition in survivors of breast cancer In this 2 × 2 factorial trial, 351 survivors of breast cancer with overweight or obesity were randomized to one of four treatment groups for 52 weeks: control, exercise alone, diet alone, or exercise plus diet Endpoints included body weight and body composition measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry After 52 weeks, compared with control, diet alone [− 539 kg (95% CI − 724, − 355);− 60% (95% CI − 80, − 39)] and exercise plus diet [− 668 kg (95% CI − 846, − 490);− 74% (95% CI − 94, − 54)] reduced body weight; exercise alone did not change body weight Compared with control, diet alone [− 359 kg (95% CI − 500, − 217)] and exercise plus diet [− 428 kg (95% CI − 571, − 284)] reduced fat mass; exercise alone did not change fat mass Compared with control, diet alone [− 082 kg (95% CI − 150, − 015)] and exercise plus diet [− 124 kg (95% CI − 192, − 056)] reduced lean mass; exercise alone did not change lean mass Compared with control, exercise alone, diet alone, and exercise plus diet did not change bone mineral density In survivors of breast cancer with overweight or obesity, diet alone or diet plus exercise produced clinically meaningful weight loss at week 52 The majority of weight loss was fat mass
10 citations
TL;DR: A 3-yr statewide survey was conducted across Pennsylvania to measure flavivirus (i.e., WNV) seroprevalence among hunter-harvested grouse as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Eastern populations of Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) have been in a decades-long decline across the mid-Atlantic and southern Appalachian Mountains of the US. West Nile virus (WNV), which first arrived in the US in 1999, is suspected to have contributed to these declines based on decreased population indices since the arrival of WNV in Pennsylvania as well as on high, experimentally induced WNV-associated morbidity rates. A 3-yr statewide survey was conducted across Pennsylvania to measure flavivirus (i.e., WNV) seroprevalence among hunter-harvested grouse. The overall seroprevalence from 2015-17 was 14.4% (81/563); annual seroprevalence ranged from 2.8% (4/145) in the 2017 hunt year to 22.6% (52/230) in 2016-17. We analyzed the effects of numerous variables (i.e., Ruffed Grouse age and sex, hunt year, WNV vector index [VI], and region of Pennsylvania) on WNV serostatus by logistic regression. While there was no significant difference in WNV seroprevalence between sex and age group, there was significant variation in seroprevalence between geographic regions of Pennsylvania and across hunt years. Additionally, there was a negative correlation between WNV seroprevalence and VI. Low seroprevalence rates among Ruffed Grouse corresponded to years with a high VI, supporting experimental findings that Ruffed Grouse may be highly susceptible to WNV-associated disease. Additional strategic research efforts are essential to more effectively measure the effects of WNV on Ruffed Grouse and other vulnerable avian species.
8 citations
TL;DR: Results of this trial will provide information on the benefit of resistance exercise as a treatment to increase RDI and the effects of RT on relative dose intensity.
8 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the role of lipids, insulin, and leptin in metabolic reprogramming of myeloid cells is discussed, and emerging evidence indicating that obesity enhances immunotherapy response and hypothesized mechanisms are summarized.
Abstract: Obesity is a risk factor for developing several cancers. The dysfunctional metabolism and chronic activation of inflammatory pathways in obesity create a milieu that supports tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Obesity-associated metabolic, endocrine, and inflammatory mediators, besides interacting with cells leading to a malignant transformation, also modify the intrinsic metabolic and functional characteristics of immune myeloid cells. Here, the evidence supporting the hypothesis that obesity metabolically primes and promotes the expansion of myeloid cells with immunosuppressive and pro-oncogenic properties is discussed. In consequence, the accumulation of these cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells and some subtypes of adipose-tissue macrophages, creates a microenvironment conducive to tumor development. In this review, the role of lipids, insulin, and leptin, which are dysregulated in obesity, is emphasized, as well as dietary nutrients in metabolic reprogramming of these myeloid cells. Moreover, emerging evidence indicating that obesity enhances immunotherapy response and hypothesized mechanisms are summarized. Priorities in deeper exploration involving the mechanisms of cross talk between metabolic disorders and myeloid cells related to cancer risk in patients with obesity are highlighted.
8 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a 2 × 2 factorial trial, 351 survivors of breast cancer with overweight or obesity were randomized to one of four treatment groups for 52 weeks: control, exercise alone, diet alone, or exercise plus diet.
Abstract: Background Obesity is a chronic, relapsing, and progressive disease; it is associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in survivors of breast cancer. Methods In this 2 × 2 factorial trial, 351 survivors of breast cancer with overweight or obesity were randomized to 1 of 4 treatment groups for 52 weeks: control, exercise alone, diet alone, or exercise plus diet. HRQOL end points were measured at baseline and at week 52 using the 36-Item Medical Outcomes Survey-Short Form (SF-36). Repeated measures analysis of covariance quantified the estimated treatment difference (ETD). Results At baseline, participants had a mean (SD) age of 59.4 years (8.7), body mass index of 34.0 kg/m2 (5.9), and 71 participants (20.2%) self-reported fair or poor general health. After 52 weeks, compared with control, the exercise plus diet improved the physical health summary score (ETD: 5.39; 95% CI, 0.55-10.22); exercise alone (ETD: -1.91; 95% CI, -6.60 to 2.79) and diet alone (ETD: 3.16; 95% CI, -1.52 to 7.83) did not change the physical health summary score. Compared with control, exercise alone (ETD: -0.27; 95% CI, -6.60 to 2.79), diet alone (ETD: 3.25; 95% CI, -1.41 to 7.91), and the exercise plus diet (ETD: 1.75; 95% CI, -2.90 to 6.39) did not change the mental health summary score. Exercise alone did not impact any HRQOL subscale; diet alone improved the vitality subscale; exercise plus diet improved the physical functioning, role-physical and vitality subscales. Conclusion In survivors of breast cancer with overweight or obesity, exercise plus diet improved select HRQOL end points at week 52.
8 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors determined the effect of pelvic organ decentralization and reinnervation on urinary bladder histology and function, and 19 canines underwent decentralization by bilateral transectio...
Abstract: We determined the effect of pelvic organ decentralization and reinnervation 1 yr later on urinary bladder histology and function. Nineteen canines underwent decentralization by bilateral transectio...
6 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a secondary analysis of the WISER Survivor clinical trial examined the relative effect of exercise, weight loss and combined exercise and weight loss interventions on insulin and insulin resistance.
Abstract: Obesity-associated breast cancer recurrence is mechanistically linked with elevated insulin levels and insulin resistance. Exercise and weight loss are associated with decreased breast cancer recurrence, which may be mediated through reduced insulin levels and improved insulin sensitivity. This is a secondary analysis of the WISER Survivor clinical trial examining the relative effect of exercise, weight loss and combined exercise and weight loss interventions on insulin and insulin resistance. The weight loss and combined intervention groups showed significant reductions in levels of: insulin, C-peptide, homeostatic model assessment 2 (HOMA2) insulin resistance (IR), and HOMA2 beta-cell function (β) compared to the control group. Independent of intervention group, weight loss of ≥10% was associated with decreased levels of insulin, C-peptide, and HOMA2-IR compared to 0-5% weight loss. Further, the combination of exercise and weight loss was particularly important for breast cancer survivors with clinically abnormal levels of C-peptide.
TL;DR: The authors determined the effect of pelvic organ decentralization and reinnervation 1 yr later on the contribution of muscarinic and purinergic receptors to ex vivo, nerve-evoked, bladder smooth mu...
Abstract: This study determined the effect of pelvic organ decentralization and reinnervation 1 yr later on the contribution of muscarinic and purinergic receptors to ex vivo, nerve-evoked, bladder smooth mu...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors tested the hypothesis that participant race modifies the association of anthropometric measures of obesity and cancer risk, and found that race did not significantly affect the association between BMI and cancer incidence.
Abstract: Objective Anthropometric measures of obesity, including BMI and waist circumference (WC), do not quantify excess adiposity and metabolic abnormalities consistently across racial populations. This study tested the hypothesis that participant race modifies the association of anthropometric measures of obesity and cancer risk. Methods This prospective cohort (The Pennington Center Longitudinal Study) included 18,296 adults, 6,405 (35.0%) male sex and 6,273 (34.3%) Black race. The primary exposures were BMI (weight in kilograms/height in meters squared) and WC (centimeters). The primary end point was the time from study enrollment to diagnosis of histologically confirmed invasive cancer. Results During a median follow-up of 14.0 years (interquartile range: 9.8-19.0 years), invasive cancer occurred in 1,350 participants. Among men, race modified the association of BMI (Pinteraction = 0.02) and WC (Pinteraction = 0.01) with cancer incidence; compared with a BMI of 22 kg/m2 , a BMI of 35 kg/m2 in White men was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.83 (95% CI: 1.58-2.12), whereas in Black men, the hazard ratio was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.72-1.11). Among women, race did not modify the association of BMI (Pinteraction = 0.41) or WC (Pinteraction = 0.36) with cancer incidence. Conclusions In this diverse cohort of adults, participant race and sex modified the prognostic associations of anthropometric measures of obesity and cancer risk.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center1, Harvard University2, Mayo Clinic3, University of California, San Francisco4, Duke University5, University of Southern California6, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill7, McGill University8, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis9, MedStar Washington Hospital Center10, University of Chicago11, Northwestern University12, West Virginia University13, Pennington Biomedical Research Center14, Oregon Health & Science University15, Yale University16
TL;DR: Among patients with mCRC, high plasma IGF BP-3 and low IGFBP-7 were associated with longer OS and PFS and Extreme levels of adiponectin were associatedWith shorter PFS, suggesting potential avenues for prognostic and therapeutic innovation.
Abstract: Background Energy balance-related biomarkers are associated with risk and prognosis of various malignancies. Their relationship to survival in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) requires further study. Methods Baseline plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-3, IGFBP-7, C-peptide, and adiponectin were measured at time of trial registration in a prospective cohort of patients with mCRC participating in a National Cancer Institute-sponsored trial of first-line systemic therapy. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to adjust for confounders and examine associations of each biomarker with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). P values are 2-sided. Results Median follow-up for 1086 patients was 6.2 years. Compared with patients in the lowest IGFBP-3 quintile, patients in the highest IGFBP-3 quintile experienced an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for OS of 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.42 to 0.78; Pnonlinearity < .001) and for PFS of 0.61 (95% CI = 0.45 to 0.82; Ptrend = .003). Compared with patients in the lowest IGFBP-7 quintile, patients in the highest IGFBP-7 quintile experienced an adjusted hazard ratio for OS of 1.60 (95% CI = 1.30 to 1.97; Ptrend < .001) and for PFS of 1.38 (95% CI = 1.13 to 1.69; Ptrend < .001). Plasma C-peptide and IGF-1 were not associated with patient outcomes. Adiponectin was not associated with OS; there was a nonlinear U-shaped association between adiponectin and PFS (Pnonlinearity = .03). Conclusions Among patients with mCRC, high plasma IGFBP-3 and low IGFBP-7 were associated with longer OS and PFS. Extreme levels of adiponectin were associated with shorter PFS. These findings suggest potential avenues for prognostic and therapeutic innovation.
TL;DR: In this article, a single-slice axial abdominal CT image of the third lumbar vertebra was analyzed with a semi-automated threshold segmentation procedure and allometric regression models were used to quantify height scaling powers for each body composition measure, adjusted for age, for males and females.
Abstract: Background Body weight scales to height with a power of ≈2 (weight/height2 ), forming the basis of body mass index (BMI). The corresponding scaling of body composition measured by abdominal computed tomography (CT) to height has not been established. The objective of this analysis was to quantify the scaling of body composition measured by a single-slice axial abdominal CT image (skeletal muscle, and visceral, subcutaneous, and total adipose tissue) to height in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods This cross-sectional study included non-Hispanic white males and females, aged 18-80 years, who were diagnosed with stage I-III CRC at an integrated health care system in North America between January 2006 and December 2011. Body composition was measured by a single-slice axial CT image of the third lumbar vertebra and analysed with a semi-automated threshold segmentation procedure. Allometric regression models were used to quantify height scaling powers (β ± standard error) for each body composition measure, adjusted for age, for males and females. An interaction test was used to determine if height scaling powers were statistically significantly different between males and females. Results Among 2036 subjects, the mean (standard deviation) age was 64 ± 11 years, 1008 (49.5%) were female, and the mean (standard deviation) BMI was 27.9 ± 5.4 kg/m2 . Powers for skeletal muscle area were 1.06 ± 0.12 for males and 0.80 ± 0.12 for females (P = 0.049). Powers for visceral adipose tissue area were 1.81 ± 0.64 for males and 0.57 ± 0.79 for females (P = 0.16). Powers for subcutaneous adipose tissue area were 2.04 ± 0.42 for males and 0.81 ± 0.45 for females (P = 0.056). Powers for total abdominal adipose tissue area were 1.80 ± 0.46 for males and 0.76 ± 0.50 for females (P = 0.20). Conclusions Body composition measured by single-slice axial abdominal CT, particularly muscle area, scales to height with age-adjusted powers that are different than 2 and are distinct between males and females. These observations may have implications for the development of height-adjusted body composition indices in patients with cancer.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the frequency-dependence of modulation of short and long-latency EMG responses of lower limb muscles in patients with spinal cord injury at rest, and suggest that the presence of polysynaptic activity could be a potential predictor for appropriate stimulation conditions.
Abstract: Increased use of epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation (eSCS) for the rehabilitation of spinal cord injury (SCI) has highlighted the need for a greater understanding of the properties of reflex circuits in the isolated spinal cord, particularly in response to repetitive stimulation. Here, we investigate the frequency-dependence of modulation of short- and long-latency EMG responses of lower limb muscles in patients with SCI at rest. Single stimuli could evoke short-latency responses as well as long-latency (likely polysynaptic) responses. The short-latency component was enhanced at low frequencies and declined at higher rates. In all muscles, the effects of eSCS were more complex if polysynaptic activity was elicited, making the motor output become an active process expressed either as suppression, tonic or rhythmical activity. The polysynaptic activity threshold is not constant and might vary with different stimulation frequencies, which speaks for its temporal dependency. Polysynaptic components can be observed as direct responses, neuromodulation of monosynaptic responses or driving the muscle activity by themselves, depending on the frequency level. We suggest that the presence of polysynaptic activity could be a potential predictor for appropriate stimulation conditions. This work studies the complex behaviour of spinal circuits deprived of voluntary motor control from the brain and in the absence of any other inputs. This is done by describing the monosynaptic responses, polysynaptic activity, and its interaction through its input-output interaction with sustain stimulation that, unlike single stimuli used to study the reflex pathway, can strongly influence the interneuron circuitry and reveal a broader spectrum of connectivity.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in ten raptor species from Florida, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee followed by a parasite bioassay on select seropositive samples.
Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic protozoan parasite that can infect all warm-blooded animals including mammals and birds. Raptors can be intermediate hosts for T. gondii and the infection may be dependent on their feeding habits. In this study, we investigated the seroprevalence of T. gondii in ten raptor species from Florida, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee followed by a parasite bioassay on select seropositive samples. From a total of 155 raptors, we detected T. gondii antibodies using a modified agglutination test (cutoff 1:25) in 32 (20.6%) birds. The T. gondii seroprevalence was 44.8% in Falconiformes (13/29), 75% in Strigiformes (15/20), and 3.8% in Ciconiiformes (4/106). All Ciconiiformes samples (hearts and sera) were collected from Pennsylvania during nuisance wildlife removal projects and all birds were apparently healthy. Falconiform and Strigiform samples were collected from an exotics clinic in Tennessee and a rehabilitation center in Florida. All sampled birds were dead or euthanatized due to failure of rehabilitation or treatment. There was no statistically significant difference in T. gondii seroprevalence between Tennessee and Florida in the tested raptors. There was also no statistically significant difference in T. gondii exposure between males and females or adults and subadults. Mice bioassay attempts using fresh brain and/or heart tissue were performed on four seropositive birds. We isolated viable T. gondii tachyzoites from one red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) and genotyped the isolate using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of ten genetic markers. The isolated strain was designated as TgHawkFL1, which is ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotype #28. Further research is needed to investigate the prevalence of T. gondii in raptors in the United States to obtain a better understanding of the life cycle, wildlife population impacts, and transmission dynamics of the parasite.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the supinator to posterior interosseous nerve transfer with the goal of restoring finger extension following spinal cord or lower brachial plexus injury.
Abstract: BACKGROUND Cervical spinal cord injuries result in a severe loss of function and independence. The primary goal for these patients is the restoration of hand function. Nerve transfers have recently become a powerful intervention to restore the ability to grasp and release objects. The supinator muscle, although a suboptimal tendon transfer donor, serves as an ideal distal nerve donor for reconstructive strategies of the hand. This transfer is also applicable to lower brachial plexus injuries. OBJECTIVE To describe the supinator to posterior interosseous nerve transfer with the goal of restoring finger extension following spinal cord or lower brachial plexus injury. METHODS Nerve branches to the supinator muscle are transferred to the posterior interosseous nerve supplying the finger extensor muscles in the forearm. RESULTS The supinator to posterior interosseous nerve transfer is effective in restoring finger extension following spinal cord or lower brachial plexus injury. CONCLUSION This procedure represents an optimal nerve transfer as the donor nerve is adjacent to the target nerve and its associated muscles. The supinator muscle is innervated by the C5-6 nerve roots and is often available in cases of cervical SCI and injuries of the lower brachial plexus. Additionally, supination function is retained by supination action of the biceps muscle.
TL;DR: In this article, Whatman Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) Elute cards were used to store tissue, nasal swabs and ocular fluid from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).
Abstract: Collection of biological samples for DNA is necessary in a variety of disciplines including disease epidemiology, landscape genetics, and forensics. Quantity and quality of DNA varies depending on the method of collection or media available for collection (e.g., blood, tissue, fecal). Blood is the most common sample collected in vials or on Whatman Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) cards with short- and long-term storage providing adequate DNA for study objectives. The focus of this study was to determine if biological samples stored on Whatman FTA Elute cards were a reasonable alternative to traditional DNA sample collection, storage, and extraction. Tissue, nasal swabs, and ocular fluid were collected from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Tissue samples and nasal swabs acted as a control to compare extraction and DNA suitability for microsatellite analysis for nasal swabs and ocular fluid extracted from FTA Elute cards. We determined that FTA Elute cards improved the extraction time and storage of samples and that nasal swabs and ocular fluid containing pigmented fluid were reasonable alternatives to traditional tissue DNA extractions.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the dwelling structure use, movements, home range, and survival of radio-tagged Muskrats (n = 14) in an urban wetland complex in central Pennsylvania and used locations collected from intensive radio-telemetry monitoring to determine number of lodging structures used, hourly movement, and size and percent area overlap of home ranges.
Abstract: Evidence indicating a decline in Ondatra zibethicus (Muskrat) populations in the United States during the past 40 years has led to speculation regarding factors influencing Muskrat survival. In order to understand population dynamics and survival, it is important to first define the ecology of local populations. We investigated the dwelling structure use, movements, home range, and survival of radio-tagged Muskrats (n = 14) in an urban wetland complex in central Pennsylvania. We used locations collected from intensive radio-telemetry monitoring to determine number of lodging structures used, hourly movement, and size and percent area overlap of home ranges. Muskrats shared an average of 9 lodging structures, and on average, 68% of a Muskrat's home range overlapped home ranges of other Muskrats. We used 4 home-range estimators (kernel density estimator [KDE]href, KDEad hoc, KDEplug-in, and local convex hull estimator) to assess the ability of each estimator to represent Muskrat home ranges. The KDEplug-in that constrained the estimate of home range to habitat boundaries provided the most appropriate home-range size for Muskrats in a linear–non-linear habitat matrix. We also calculated overwinter survival estimates using known-fate models. Our top model indicated a positive effect of the average weekly precipitation on survival, with an overwinter survival estimate of 0.59 (SE = 0.16). The main cause of Muskrat mortality was predation by Neovison vison (American Mink; n = 6). The small sample size and uncertainty surrounding our model selection led to weak estimates of survival; however, our model suggests that snowfall may be an important factor in Muskrat survival. Our study provides novel data on Muskrat ecology in Pennsylvania as well as preliminary evidence for future investigations of factors affecting Muskrat survival during the winter months.
TL;DR: A male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) was harvested by a hunter during November 2019 in Forest County, PA. The bird was submitted for necropsy due to a skin mass on its left leg as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A free-ranging, adult male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) was harvested by a hunter during November 2019 in Forest County, PA. The bird was submitted for necropsy due to a skin mass on its left leg. Upon necropsy, two proliferative skin masses were grossly visible, one on the left leg and one on the cere. An additional mass was present on the oropharyngeal mucosa covering the hard palate. These masses were diagnosed as avian pox based on histopathologic and cytologic findings, including marked epithelial hypertrophy, hyperplasia, vacuolar degeneration with eosinophilic stippling, and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. An avipoxvirus was detected using PCR and was identified as fowlpox virus through sequencing of the 4b core gene segment. The avipoxvirus from this case showed genetic similarity to isolates from Eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris).
TL;DR: In this article, Babesia odocoilei infection in wild elk in Pennsylvania was found to cause hemolytic anemia, lethargy, anorexia, and death.
Abstract: Babesia odocoilei is a tick-borne protozoal parasite which infects the erythrocytes of members of the families Cervidae and Bovidae. Infection can result in hemolytic anemia, lethargy, anorexia, and death. The reservoir host of B. odocoilei is the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus); however, infections with overt disease have only been documented in reindeer (Rangider tarandu tarandus), caribou (Rangider tarandu caribou) and captive elk (Cervus elaphus canadensis). Infected elk may remain asymptomatic, creating the risk for dissemination of the pathogen when elk are relocated. Additionally, infected asymptomatic elk may contribute to the spread of B. odocoilei in the local wildlife/captive population via feeding ticks. Information regarding endemic regions of B. odocoilei infection is limited due to frequent asymptomatic infections and a lack of targeted surveillance of B. odocoilei in wildlife. To obtain data on B. odocoilei infection in wild elk in Pennsylvania, we tested blood samples collected from 190 hunter-harvested wild elk between 2016 and 2017. Of the 190 blood samples tested, 18.4% (35/190) tested positive for Babesia spp. Genetic sequencing of the positive samples showed a 98.0–100.0% match for B. odocoilei. No other Babesia species were identified. Results of this study documents B. odocoilei infection within hunter-harvested wild elk from Pennsylvania.
TL;DR: This paper described a case of mange associated with a Chorioptes species, which has not previously been reported, to the best of our knowledge, in free-ranging black bears.
Abstract: American black bears (Ursus americanus) are increasingly reported to develop mange. This report describes a case of mange associated with a Chorioptes species, which has not previously been reported, to our knowledge, in free-ranging black bears. Basic clinical findings as well as methods of identification for this mite are provided.
TL;DR: The authors in this article reported the impact of the weight loss intervention on health-related quality-of-life outcomes at week 15, and maintenance of weight loss to week 30.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE The Healthy Living and Eating After Cancer Trial demonstrated that a clinic-based weight loss program reduced body weight, as compared with a waitlist control group, over 15 weeks. Here we report the impact of the weight loss intervention on health-related quality-of-life outcomes at week 15, and maintenance of weight loss to week 30. METHODS This trial randomized cancer survivors of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies (breast cancer: 76.7%) to a 15-week group-based weight loss program (n = 30) or a waitlist control group (n = 30). Participants were not blinded to group assignment. Participants completed a variety of health-related quality-of-life outcome measures at baseline and week 15. From week 15 to week 30, participants initially randomized to the weight loss program were followed with no additional intervention, and participants initially randomized to the waitlist control group commenced the weight loss program. RESULTS Over the 15 weeks, the weight loss program improved physical functioning (6.2 ± 2.9; p = 0.02; d = 0.31) and reduced insomnia symptoms (-17.1 ± 7.4; p = 0.03; d = -0.30) as measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30, and sleep disturbance (-4.9 ± 1.6; p = 0.005; d = -0.40) as measured by PROMIS, compared to waitlist control. After a weight loss of 4.6 ± 3.9 kg, from week 15 to week 30, participants who were initially randomized to the weight loss program maintained their prior weight loss (+0.6 ± 3.5 kg) and participants who were initially randomized to the waitlist control group lost weight (-3.4 ± 2.9 kg; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In cancer survivors with overweight or obesity, a 15-week clinic-based weight loss program improved health-related quality-of-life outcomes and produced sustained weight loss to week 30.