Orf Virus Genome Sequencing

Orf virus (ORFV) is an ancient Parapoxvirus that causes substantial economic loss worldwide to sheep and goat producers. This virus causes a disease known as Contagious Ecthyma or more commonly “Soremouth” because it most commonly presents itself on the lips and mouth of sheep and goats. Soremouth makes it difficult for animals to eat and drink, therefore leading to weight loss or failure to gain weight resulting in production losses. The primary victims of the disease are suckling lambs and kid goats. These animals have immature immune systems increasing their risk of infection and are at risk for dehydration and weight loss as the lesions in the mouth affect their ability to nurse. ORFV is a zoonotic virus that can transfer from sheep and goat to humans and other species. ORFV has immunomodulatory capabilities as the virus encodes a synthetic interleukin-10, an immune down-regulator. It also inhibits other immune activation pathways such as the Toll-like receptors. ORFV is an ideal target for vaccination because of its immunomodulatory features and because the infection is generally self-limiting. A vaccine is currently under development by Texas Vet Lab, Inc. and the genome of the virus used for the development of this vaccine is sequenced and examined here. The goal of this study was to allow comparisons between the current vaccine candidate and other sequenced ORFV genomes

QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME PCR DETECTION OF PERKINSUS MARINUS AND HAPLOSPORIDIUM NELSONI IN TEXAS OYSTERS

Haplosporidium nelsoni (MSX) and Perkinsus marinus (Dermo) are protozoan parasites that are traditionally detected using time and labor intensive histological methods. Recently developed traditional PCR assays, specific for these parasites, were used to for initial screening of presence/absence in samples of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, collected from Galveston Bay, Aransas Bay, and Corpus Christi Bay, Texas. H. nelsoni (MSX) was not detected in any of the samples. P. marinus (dermo) was detected in oysters from all bays. Oysters that tested positive for P. marinus were further screened with quantitative PCR assays to enumerate the parasites. These data were directly compared to values obtained by Ray’s Fluid Thioglycollate histological method from the same sample. Though these tests have not been “ground-truthed” against the traditional histological methods it is the goal of this project to begin the process of comparing the two methods. There was strong agreement between the PCR and histological determination of P. marinus that is promising for eventual transition to PCR assays

Scapular body fractures—should we be fixing more of these?

The question of whether we should be fixing more scapular body fractures originates from the historical preference for nonoperative management of these fractures. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in operative management due to the recognition that scapular malunion can cause significant disability. While the treatment pendulum has shifted away from benign neglect, finding the right balance of surgical aggression remains controversial. In general, the majority of scapula fractures can successfully be treated nonoperatively with excellent functional results. However, numerous case studies exist demonstrating poor outcomes of scapular body or neck fractures with increased deformity. The literature suggests that a glenopolar angle (GPA) less than 20 degrees can lead to a significant decrease in shoulder function. Additionally, retrospective studies using lateral border offset (LBO) greater than >2 cm and angulation >45 degrees as a surgical indication demonstrate functional outcomes with near normal strength and range of motion and low complication rates. While numerous cut-offs for surgical indications have been recommended, all indications are considered relative and treatment should be individualized based on patient characteristics and goals

VASCULAR DYSFUNCTION IN THE Α-GALACTOSIDASE A-KNOCKOUT MOUSE IS AN ENDOTHELIAL CELL-, PLASMA MEMBRANE-BASED DEFECT

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75176/1/j.1440-1681.2008.04984.x.pd

Substrate Reduction Augments the Efficacy of Enzyme Therapy in a Mouse Model of Fabry Disease

Fabry disease is an X-linked glycosphingolipid storage disorder caused by a deficiency in the activity of the lysosomal hydrolase α-galactosidase A (α-gal). This deficiency results in accumulation of the glycosphingolipid globotriaosylceramide (GL-3) in lysosomes. Endothelial cell storage of GL-3 frequently leads to kidney dysfunction, cardiac and cerebrovascular disease. The current treatment for Fabry disease is through infusions of recombinant α-gal (enzyme-replacement therapy; ERT). Although ERT can markedly reduce the lysosomal burden of GL-3 in endothelial cells, variability is seen in the clearance from several other cell types. This suggests that alternative and adjuvant therapies may be desirable. Use of glucosylceramide synthase inhibitors to abate the biosynthesis of glycosphingolipids (substrate reduction therapy, SRT) has been shown to be effective at reducing substrate levels in the related glycosphingolipidosis, Gaucher disease. Here, we show that such an inhibitor (eliglustat tartrate, Genz-112638) was effective at lowering GL-3 accumulation in a mouse model of Fabry disease. Relative efficacy of SRT and ERT at reducing GL-3 levels in Fabry mouse tissues differed with SRT being more effective in the kidney, and ERT more efficacious in the heart and liver. Combination therapy with ERT and SRT provided the most complete clearance of GL-3 from all the tissues. Furthermore, treatment normalized urine volume and uromodulin levels and significantly delayed the loss of a nociceptive response. The differential efficacies of SRT and ERT in the different tissues indicate that the combination approach is both additive and complementary suggesting the possibility of an improved therapeutic paradigm in the management of Fabry disease

Factors Underlying Venezuelan Defense Expenditures: 1950-83: A Research Note

Arms Control, May 1986.Refereed Journal Article'A country's military expenditures', the US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency points out, 'are not necessarily representative of military capability.' They do not define a country's efficiency and allocation of expenditures or 'whether the quantity and quality of force supported by them serves national purposes

Characterisation and treatment of a mouse model of Fabry disease

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Response of Olympia oysters (Ostrea lurida) to changing environmental conditions

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2014-12The Olympia oyster is an iconic oyster species in the Pacific Northwest with special significance in Puget Sound, WA. Oyster populations in the region were decimated to historic lows during the 20th century due to a number of factors including overharvest, habitat loss, and invasive species. Restoration projects have seen limited success, likely due to the limited information on stock structure within Puget Sound, especially in regards to adaptive abilities and habitat suitability. Chapter one of this study investigates population related fitness measures (ie. mortality, growth, reproduction) within three resident populations from geographically isolated locations in Puget Sound. Using a reciprocal transplant experiment with Ostrea lurida populations from Fidalgo Bay, Dabob Bay, and Oyster Bay, we found that two of the three populations (Dabob Bay and Oyster Bay) express significant phenotypic signatures related to the population. Using this information we offer restoration strategies catered to population phenotypes in an effort to improve restoration projects in the Puget Sound. In Chapter two, we ran a thermal and mechanical stress experiment due to differences in mortality between populations observed in Chapter 1 to investigate expression of genes (via qPCR) related to survival. We found differences in expression related to gene transcription, which indicates possible phenotypic plasticity previously unknown in the study populations though further investigation is required