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assessing potential environmental contamination by baylisascaris procyonis eggs from infected raccoons in southern texas.baylisascaris procyonis is a large ascarid of raccoons (procyon lotor) and is a zoonotic threat. we documented the potential rate a raccoon population can contaminate their environment with b. procyonis eggs. we estimated the population size of raccoons using a 9 × 7 trapping grid of havahart traps, identified locations of raccoon scats through systematic searches, and enumerated the distance b. procyonis eggs passively travel from site of origin upon scat decay. during an 8-week capture period, ...201727841964
quantifying the potential pathways and locations of rift valley fever virus entry into the united states.the global invasion of west nile virus, chikungunya virus and zika virus in the past two decades suggests an increasing rate of mosquito-borne virus (arbovirus) dispersal. rift valley fever virus (rvfv) is an arbovirus identified as a high-consequence threat to the united states (usa) because of the severe economic and health consequences associated with disease. numerous studies demonstrate that the usa is receptive to rvfv transmission based on the widespread presence of competent mosquito spe ...201728191786
multiyear survey of coccidia, cryptosporidia, microsporidia, histomona, and hematozoa in wild quail in the rolling plains ecoregion of texas and oklahoma, usa.we developed nested pcr protocols and performed a multiyear survey on the prevalence of several protozoan parasites in wild northern bobwhite (colinus virginianus) and scaled quail (callipepla squamata) in the rolling plains ecoregion of texas and oklahoma (i.e. fecal pellets, bird intestines and blood smears collected between 2010 and 2013). coccidia, cryptosporidia, and microsporidia were detected in 46.2%, 11.7%, and 44.0% of the samples (n = 687), whereas histomona and hematozoa were undetec ...201727222431
likely autochthonous transmission of trypanosoma cruzi to humans, south central texas, usa.chagas disease, caused by trypanosoma cruzi, is a major neglected tropical disease affecting the americas. the epidemiology of this disease in the united states is incomplete. we report evidence of likely autochthonous vectorborne transmission of t. cruzi and health outcomes in t. cruzi-seropositive blood donors in south central texas, usa.201728221110
trypanosoma cruzi (agent of chagas disease) in sympatric human and dog populations in "colonias" of the lower rio grande valley of texas.the zoonotic, vector-borne parasite trypanosoma cruzi causes chagas disease throughout the americas, but human and veterinary health burdens in the united states are unknown. we conducted a cross-sectional prevalence study in indigent, medically underserved human and cohabiting canine populations of seven south texas border communities, known as colonias. defining positivity as those samples that were positive on two or more independent tests, we found 1.3% seroprevalence in 233 humans, includin ...201728167589
molecular identification and genotyping of trypanosoma cruzi dna in autochthonous chagas disease patients from texas, usa.the parasitic protozoan trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of chagas disease, is widely distributed throughout the americas, from the southern united states (us) to northern argentina, and infects at least 6 million people in endemic areas. much remains unknown about the dynamics of t. cruzi transmission among mammals and triatomine vectors in sylvatic and peridomestic eco-epidemiological cycles, as well as of the risk of transmission to humans in the us. identification of t. cruzi dtus amon ...201728095298
isolation and characterization of a unique strain of rickettsia parkeri associated with the hard tick dermacentor parumapertus neumann in the western united states.in 1953, investigators at the rocky mountain laboratories in hamilton, montana, described the isolation of a spotted fever group rickettsia (sfgr) species from dermacentor parumapertus collected from black-tailed jackrabbits (lepus californicus) in northern nevada. several decades later, investigators characterized this sfgr by using mouse serotyping methods and determined that it represented a distinct rickettsial serotype, related closely to rickettsia parkeri; nonetheless, the parumapertus ag ...201728213544
fungi isolated from house flies (diptera: muscidae) on penned cattle in south texas.musca domestica l. were collected from cattle diagnosed with bovine ringworm to evaluate the potential of the house fly to disseminate trichophyton verrucosum e. bodin, a fungal dermatophyte that is the causative agent for ringworm in cattle. fungal isolates were cultured from 45 individual flies on supplemented sabouraud dextrose agar, and isolates were identified using morphological and microscopic approaches. each isolate was identified further by pcr amplification of the ribosomal dna locus ...201728399217
use of remote cameras to monitor the potential prevalence of sarcoptic mange in southern texas, usa.sarcoptic mange, caused by the mite sarcoptes scabiei , is a common, highly contagious skin disease that has been reported from more than 100 species of mammals, including humans. our objectives were to 1) determine the prevalence of sarcoptic mange within mammals from southern texas, and 2) determine the efficacy of using remote cameras to estimate mange prevalence. we collected remote camera photographs from a 64-km(2) area and blood and skin scrapings from 166 mammals representing 12 species ...201728135133
temporal variation in the abundance and timing of daily activity of chagas disease vector triatoma gerstaeckeri (stål, 1859) in a natural habitat in the lower rio grande valley, south texas.chagas disease caused by trypanosoma cruzi is a burden to millions of people in south and central america. a sylvatic life cycle of the parasite exists in the southern united states, but recent studies indicate an active peri-domestic life cycle of t. cruzi in texas. the usa-mexico border region in texas displays areas of high poverty and sub-standard housing conditions which are important risk factors for a potential spill-over transmission to a domestic life cycle including humans. the objecti ...201728530845
bacillus anthracis gamma phage lysis among soil bacteria: an update on test specificity.bacillus anthracis, which causes anthrax in humans and animals, is enzootic in parts of the u.s. state of texas where cases are typically reported in animals annually. the gamma phage lysis assay is a common diagnostic method for identification of b. anthracis and is based on the bacterium's susceptibility to lysis. this test has been shown to be 97% specific for b. anthracis, as a small number of strains of other bacillus spp. are known to be susceptible. in this study, we evaluated the perform ...201729145870
serological detection of tick-borne relapsing fever in texan domestic dogs.tick-borne relapsing fever (tbrf) is caused by spirochetes in the genus borrelia. very limited information exists on the incidence of this disease in humans and domestic dogs in the united states. the main objective of this study is to evaluate exposure of dogs to borrelia turicatae, a causative agent of tbrf, in texas. to this end, 878 canine serum samples were submitted to texas a&m veterinary medical diagnostic laboratory from october 2011 to september 2012 for suspected tick-borne illnesses. ...201729232415
new opportunities for funding dialysis-dependent undocumented individuals.the cost of dialysis for the estimated 6500 dialysis-dependent undocumented individuals with kidney failure in the united states is high, the quality of dialysis care they receive is poor, and their treatment varies regionally. some regions use state and matched federal funds to cover regularly scheduled dialysis treatments, while others provide treatment only in emergent life-threatening conditions. nephrologists caring for patients who receive emergent dialysis are tasked with the difficult mo ...201727577244
xylazine exposures reported to texas poison centers.xylazine is a sedative, analgesic, anesthetic, and central muscle relaxant approved for animals but not humans. although xylazine is an emerging drug of abuse, there are limited data on potentially adverse exposures to the drug.201627473444
prevalence and diversity of cryptosporidium and giardia identified among feral pigs in texas.the population size and geographic range of feral pigs in the united states are rapidly expanding. nevertheless, the role of this invasive species in the ecology and transmission of zoonotic enteric pathogens is poorly understood. our objectives were to describe the prevalence and diversity of cryptosporidium and giardia shedding among feral pigs throughout texas and to identify risk factors for infection. fecal samples were collected from feral pigs in texas from february 2014 through may 2015. ...201627763822
salmonella surveillance among great-tailed grackles (quiscalus mexicanus) and other urban bird species in eastern texas.wild birds may play an important role in maintaining and transmitting salmonella. their ability to travel large distances and their proximity to human habitations could make them a vehicle for bridging salmonella from wild and domestic animals to humans. to determine the potential public health risk presented by urban birds, we investigated the prevalence of salmonella among great-tailed grackles (quiscalus mexicanus) and other cohabiting urban bird species. fecal samples were collected from 114 ...201627827557
identification of a plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance gene in salmonella isolates from texas dairy farm environmental samples.a recent increase in plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (pmqr) has been detected among salmonella isolated from humans in the united states, and it is necessary to determine the sources of human infection. we had previously isolated salmonella from dairy farm environmental samples collected in texas, and isolates were tested for anti-microbial susceptibility. two isolates, serotyped as salmonella muenster, showed the discordant pattern of nalidixic acid susceptibility and intermediate suscept ...201627801549
sylvatic transmission of trypanosoma cruzi among domestic and wildlife reservoirs in texas, usa: a review of the historical literature.chagas disease (trypanosoma cruzi infection) is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases affecting the americas. the transmission dynamic of this parasite is a complicated process that involves three genera of triatominae subfamily and over 100 known mammalian reservoirs composed of domestic, peridomestic and wildlife species. understanding the complex relationship between vector species and mammalian hosts is important for preventing transmission to humans. we performed a historica ...201627911051
one health interactions of chagas disease vectors, canid hosts, and human residents along the texas-mexico border.chagas disease (trypanosoma cruzi infection) is the leading cause of non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy in latin america. texas, particularly the southern region, has compounding factors that could contribute to t. cruzi transmission; however, epidemiologic studies are lacking. the aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of t. cruzi in three different mammalian species (coyotes, stray domestic dogs, and humans) and vectors (triatoma species) to understand the burden of chagas disease ...201627832063
molecular detection of bacteria in the families rickettsiaceae and anaplasmataceae in northern crested caracaras (caracara cheriway).bacterial pathogens of the families anaplasmataceae and rickettsiaceae are often spread to humans or other animals from bites from infected arthropod hosts. recently, an increasing number of studies have implicated migratory birds in the circulation of these pathogens through the spread of arthropod vectors. however, few studies have examined the potential for resident bird populations to serve as reservoirs for these zoonoses. in this study, we used nested pcrs of the groesl and 17 kda genes to ...201626837860
permeability and viability of baylisascaris procyonis eggs in southern texas soils.baylisascaris procyonis is a nematode whose definitive host is the raccoon ( procyon lotor ). adult parasites are not particularly pathogenic to raccoons; however, larvae in intermediate hosts can cause visceral, ocular, and neural larva migrans. humans serve as dead-end hosts, and pathological responses are similar to those found in infected intermediate hosts. infected raccoons expose intermediate hosts through their feces, which can contain millions of b. procyonis eggs. our objective was to ...201627541828
environmental temperatures in southern texas, usa: implications for survival of baylisascaris procyonis eggs.baylisascaris procyonis is an intestinal nematode of raccoons ( procyon lotor ). within intermediate hosts, larvae can cause visceral, ocular, and neural migrans. humans, especially children, have become infected after ingestion of larvated eggs at raccoon latrines. eggs of b. procyonis have a thermal death point of 62 c. during 2012, we assessed the likelihood of thermal lethality on b. procyonis eggs in southern texas. we recorded temperature every 30 min with data loggers placed on the ground ...201627525592
computational study of interdependence between hemagglutinin and neuraminidase of pandemic 2009 h1n1.influenza type a viruses are classified into subtypes based on their two surface proteins, hemagglutinin (ha) and neuraminidase (na). the ha protein facilitates the viral binding and entering a host cell and the na protein helps the release of viral progeny from the infected cell. the complementary roles of ha and na entail their collaboration, which has important implications for viral replication and fitness. the ha protein from early strains of pandemic 2009 h1n1 of swine origin preferentiall ...201525751873
mycobacterium bovis infection in humans and cats in same household, texas, usa, 2012.mycobacterium bovis infection of cats is exceedingly rare in regions where bovine tuberculosis is not endemic. we describe the diagnosis and clinical management of pulmonary m. bovis infection in 2 indoor-housed cats and their association with at least 1 m. bovis-infected human in texas, usa, in september 2012.201525695666
dogs entering the united states from rabies-endemic countries, 2011-2012.international dog imports pose a risk because of the potential movement of disease agents, including the canine rabies virus variant which has been eliminated from the united states since 2007. us regulations require a rabies vaccination certificate for dogs arriving from rabies-endemic countries, but permit the importation of dogs that have not been adequately immunized against rabies, provided that the dogs are confined under conditions that restrict their contact with humans and other animals ...201525244531
geospatial risk factors of canine american trypanosomiasis (chagas disease) (42 cases: 2000-2012).american trypanosomiasis or chagas disease caused by trypanosoma cruzi affects many mammals, including humans and dogs, in all latin american countries outside the caribbean and increasingly also in the southern united states. dogs are considered as reliable sentinels and have been identified as an important risk factor for the disease in humans in endemic countries. factors that determine american trypanosomiasis in dogs may therefore have public health relevance. associations of different envi ...201526393300
agent-based mathematical modeling as a tool for estimating trypanosoma cruzi vector-host contact rates.the parasite trypanosoma cruzi, spread by triatomine vectors, affects over 100 mammalian species throughout the americas, including humans, in whom it causes chagas' disease. in the u.s., only a few autochthonous cases have been documented in humans, but prevalence is high in sylvatic hosts (primarily raccoons in the southeast and woodrats in texas). the sylvatic transmission of t. cruzi is spread by the vector species triatoma sanguisuga and triatoma gerstaeckeri biting their preferred hosts an ...201526215127
knowledge, attitudes, and practices of texas hunters: a potentially high-risk population for exposure to the parasite that causes chagas disease.chagas disease is a parasitic infection transmitted to humans and mammals by the triatominae insect. if untreated, chagas disease can lead to heart failure and death. previous publications highlighted the potential public health risk of disease transmission among hunters in the united states.201525886035
methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus prevalence among captive chimpanzees, texas, usa, 2012(1).methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (mrsa) infection in humans and animals is concerning. in 2012, our evaluation of a captive chimpanzee colony in texas revealed mrsa prevalence of 69%. animal care staff should be aware of possible zoonotic mrsa transmission resulting from high prevalence among captive chimpanzees.201526583847
development of a chronic inhalation reference value for hexamethylenediamine using an exposure model based on the dihydrochloride salt.the texas commission on environmental quality has developed a chronic inhalation reference value (rev) for hexamethylenediamine (hmda, cas 124-09-4) based on respiratory effects identified in an animal study. hmda is used in the fiber and plastics industry as an intermediate in the production of nylon, high-strength resins and polyamide adhesives. as a toxicant, hmda acts primarily as a respiratory irritant with effects occurring in the upper respiratory tract, although systemic effects have bee ...201526213288
first reports of pseudorabies and winter ticks (dermacentor albipictus) associated with an emerging feral swine (sus scrofa) population in new hampshire.the expansion of feral swine (sus scrofa) populations into new geographic regions is of concern not only due to increased range but also because they carry diseases and parasites that pose a threat to humans, livestock, and wildlife into new areas. recently, emerging feral swine populations have been reported in the northeastern us and due to their adaptive nature will likely continue to spread. during 2009-2012, 49 feral swine were removed from three counties in new hampshire. of these, serum s ...201424171577
shelter dogs as sentinels for trypanosoma cruzi transmission across texas.chagas disease, an infection with the parasite trypanosoma cruzi, is increasingly diagnosed among humans in the southern united states. we assessed exposure of shelter dogs in texas to t. cruzi; seroprevalence across diverse ecoregions was 8.8%. canine serosurveillance is a useful tool for public health risk assessment.201425062281
effects of ultraviolet light disinfection on tetracycline-resistant bacteria in wastewater effluents.the ubiquitous use of antibiotics has led to an increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, including strains that are multidrug-resistant, pathogenic, or both. there is also evidence to suggest that antibiotic resistance genes (args) spread to the environment, humans, and animals through wastewater effluents. the overall objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ultraviolet (uv) light disinfection on antibiotic-resistant bacteria. wastewater effluent samples from ...201425252343
a determination of the spatial concordance between lyme disease incidence and habitat probability of its primary vector ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick).the spatial distribution of ixodes scapularis, the most common tick vector of the bacterium borrelia burgdorferi, the cause of lyme disease in humans, has not been studied previously in texas, united states of america. it has only rarely been reported in this state, so its local, spatial relationship to the distribution of this disease is unknown. from an epidemiological perspective, one would tend to hypothesise that there should be a high degree of spatial concordance between habitat suitabili ...201425545937
implications of climate change on the distribution of the tick vector ixodes scapularis and risk for lyme disease in the texas-mexico transboundary region.disease risk maps are important tools that help ascertain the likelihood of exposure to specific infectious agents. understanding how climate change may affect the suitability of habitats for ticks will improve the accuracy of risk maps of tick-borne pathogen transmission in humans and domestic animal populations. lyme disease (ld) is the most prevalent arthropod borne disease in the us and europe. the bacterium borrelia burgdorferi causes ld and it is transmitted to humans and other mammalian h ...201424766735
diversity of piroplasms detected in blood-fed and questing ticks from several states in the united states.piroplasms in the genera babesia, theileria, and cytauxzoon are tick-borne parasites that may be animal and human pathogens. most piroplasms with known life cycles are transmitted by ixodid ticks; however, for many species, the vector is unknown. this study was conducted to determine the prevalence and diversity of piroplasms in ticks from several us states. piroplasm-specific polymerase chain reaction (pcr) assays were used to test 1631 ticks from georgia (n=486), kentucky (n=103), pennsylvania ...201424709338
survey of clostridium difficile in retail seafood in college station, texas.the incidence and severity of disease associated with toxigenic clostridium difficile have increased in hospitals in north america with the emergence of newer, more virulent strains. toxigenic c. difficile has been isolated from food animals and retail meat with potential implications of transfer to humans. the objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of c. difficile in retail seafood from grocery stores in college station, texas. c. difficile was found in 4.5% (3/67) of ...201424524301
comparison of antimicrobial susceptibility among clostridium difficile isolated from an integrated human and swine population in texas.clostridium difficile can be a major problem in hospitals because the bacterium primarily affects individuals with an altered intestinal flora; this largely occurs through prolonged antibiotic use. proposed sources of increased community-acquired infections are food animals and retail meats. the objective of this study was to compare the antimicrobial resistance patterns of c. difficile isolated from a closed, integrated population of humans and swine to increase understanding of the bacterium i ...201424320797
human vaccines & immunotherapeutics: news.infant rotavirus vaccination provides for herd immunity nonreplicating sporozoite vaccine protects humans against malaria personalized brain cancer vaccine enters phase 2 trial novel implantable therapeutic cancer vaccine to be tested in humans clostridium difficile vaccine candidate successful in phase 1 cdc reports strong uptake of hpv vaccine in boys whooping cough outbreak in texas.201324056006
aedes (stegomyia) aegypti in the continental united states: a vector at the cool margin of its geographic range.after more than a half century without recognized local dengue outbreaks in the continental united states, there were recent outbreaks of autochthonous dengue in the southern parts of texas (2004-2005) and florida (2009-2011). this dengue reemergence has provoked interest in the extent of the future threat posed by the yellow fever mosquito, aedes (stegomyia) aegypti (l.), the primary vector of dengue and yellow fever viruses in urban settings, to human health in the continental united states. a ...201323802440
a novel adenovirus species associated with an acute respiratory outbreak in a baboon colony and evidence of coincident human infection.adenoviruses (advs) are dna viruses that infect many vertebrate hosts, including humans and nonhuman primates. here we identify a novel adv species, provisionally named "simian adenovirus c (sadv-c)," associated with a 1997 outbreak of acute respiratory illness in captive baboons (4 of 9) at a primate research facility in texas. none of the six advs recovered from baboons (baadvs) during the outbreak, including the two baboons who died from pneumonia, were typeable. since clinical samples from t ...201323592261
use of serology and bacterial culture to determine prevalence of brucella spp. in feral swine (sus scrofa) in proximity to a beef cattle herd positive for brucella suis and brucella abortus.using serology and bacterial culture, we determined the prevalence of brucella spp. and the antibody to brucella spp. in a feral swine (sus scrofa) population in proximity to a cattle herd that was culture positive for brucella abortus and brucella suis in north-central texas, usa. during a prospective cross-sectional quantitative study in april 2005, we collected blood and tissue samples from 40 feral swine within a 30-km radius of the infected herd. serum samples were tested by the rose bengal ...201323568896
epidemiology of rabies in bats in texas (2001-2010).to obtain epidemiological information on rabies in bats in texas.201324094260
perspective: one health: a compelling convergence.one health has been defined as "the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines--working locally, nationally, and globally--to attain optimal health for people, animals, plants, and our environment." the broadly based one health movement includes domains as diverse as agricultural and animal science, environmental science, climatology, veterinary medicine, human medicine, and public health. one health, previously espoused by virchow, osler, and other pioneers in medical education, is not a new ...201323165268
ixodid ticks associated with feral swine in texas.ixodid ticks were collected from feral swine in eight texas ecoregions from 2008-2011. sixty-two percent of 806 feral swine were infested with one or more of the following species: amblyomma americanum, a. cajennense, a. maculatum, dermacentor albipictus, d. halli, d. variabilis, and ixodes scapularis. juvenile and adult feral swine of both sexes were found to serve as host to ixodid ticks. longitudinal surveys of feral swine at four geographic locations show persistent year-round tick infestati ...201324581367
consumer perceptions about a community pharmacy-based medication take back program.the stockpiling and improper disposal of unused or expired medications has the potential to harm the environment and humans. community-based medication take-back programs have been established to ensure proper disposal of unused drugs; however, few of these programs present consumers' perceptions about the program. therefore, the main aims of this pilot study are 1) to assess the users' and non-users' perceptions about a medication take-back program and 2) to determine if perceptions differ betw ...201323669605
identifying areas of high risk of human exposure to coccidioidomycosis in texas using serology data from dogs.coccidioidomycosis or valley fever (vf) is an emerging soil-borne fungal zoonosis affecting humans and animals. most non-human cases of vf are found in dogs, which we hypothesize may serve as sentinels for estimating the human exposure risk. the objective of this study is to use the spatial and temporal distribution and clusters of dogs seropositive for vf to define the geographic area in texas where vf is endemic, and thus presents a higher risk of exposure to humans. the included specimens wer ...201322856539
the occurrence of the rat lungworm, angiostrongylus cantonensis, in nonindigenous snails in the gulf of mexico region of the united states.nonindigenous apple snails, pomacea maculata (formerly pomacea insularum), are currently spreading rapidly through the southeastern united states. this mollusk serves as an intermediate host of the rat lungworm parasite (angiostrongylus cantonensis), which can cause eosinophilic meningitis in humans who consume infected mollusks. a pcr-based detection assay was used to test nonindigenous apple snails for the rat lungworm parasite in louisiana, texas, mississippi, and florida. only apple snails o ...201323901374
hexabromocyclododecane (hbcd) stereoisomers in u.s. food from dallas, texas.hexabromocyclododecane (hbcd) is a brominated flame retardant used in polystyrene foams in thermal insulation and electrical equipment. the hbcd commercial mixture consists mainly of α, β, and γ stereoisomers. health concerns of hbcd exposure include alterations in immune and reproductive systems, neurotoxic effects, and endocrine disruption. stereoisomer-specific levels of hbcd have not been measured previously in u.s. food.201222647707
modelling spatial concordance between rocky mountain spotted fever disease incidence and habitat probability of its vector dermacentor variabilis (american dog tick).the spatial distribution of dermacentor variabilis, the most commonly identified vector of the bacterium rickettsia rickettsii which causes rocky mountain spotted fever (rmsf) in humans, and the spatial distribution of rmsf, have not been previously studied in the south central united states of america, particularly in texas. from an epidemiological perspective, one would tend to hypothesise that there would be a high degree of spatial concordance between the habitat suitability for the tick and ...201223242684
murine typhus: endemic rickettsia in southwest texas.murine typhus is a zoonosis caused by the organism rickettsia typhi and is transmitted to humans by fleas. it is endemic in several areas of texas, california and hawaii where the vector is supported predominantly by rodents in addition to opossums, domestic and feral cats and domestic dogs. we present a typical case in an adult from corpus christi, located in one of the four endemic areas in texas. included is an overview of the organism's pathogenicity and our host responses, both influencing ...201222693777
a temperature-limited assessment of the risk of rift valley fever transmission and establishment in the continental united states of america.the rapid spread of west nile virus across north america after its introduction in 1999 highlights the potential for foreign arboviruses to become established in the united states of america. of particular concern is rift valley fever virus (rvfv), which has been responsible for multiple african epidemics resulting in death of both humans and livestock, as well as major economic disruption due to livestock loss and trade restrictions. modern globalization, travel, and commerce allow viruses to e ...201222639118
abruptio placentae in the baboon (papio spp.).introduction: placental abruption is a serious condition that increases perinatal morbidity and mortality. clinical prevention and treatment options are limited, especially in human preterm deliveries. knowledge of the mechanisms that keep the placenta in place during pregnancy is critical for developing strategies for the prevention of abruption. failure of physiological transformation of spiral arteries has been described as a major contributing factor of the placental abruption development. b ...201222265925
vector-host interactions of culex pipiens complex in northeastern and southwestern usa.studies on the vector-host interactions of culex pipiens complex mosquitoes by sequencing portions of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene indicate that cx. p. pipiens f. pipiens predominantly feed on avian hosts (93.1%), and focus feeding activity on several key bird species, in particular the american robin, the gray catbird, and the house sparrow in connecticut. however, cx. p. quinquefasciatus indiscriminately feed on both birds and mammals. culex p. quinquefasciatus in harris county - texas and ...201223401953
low prevalence of chagas parasite infection in a nonhuman primate colony in louisiana.chagas disease, an important cause of heart disease in latin america, is caused by the parasite trypanosoma cruzi, which typically is transmitted to humans by triatomine insects. although autochthonous transmission of the chagas parasite to humans is rare in the united states, triatomines are common, and more than 20 species of mammals are infected with the chagas parasite in the southern united states. chagas disease has also been detected in colonies of nonhuman primates (nhp) in georgia and t ...201223043809
detection of dirofilaria immitis and ehrlichia species in coyotes (canis latrans), from rural oklahoma and texas.there is a lack of knowledge regarding the prevalence of dirofilaria immitis and ehrlichia spp. in coyotes in oklahoma and texas. documenting the prevalence of these vector-borne disease agents in coyotes from oklahoma and texas underscores the importance of wild canids as reservoir hosts that infect companion animals and humans. to learn more about the sylvatic cycle of d. immitis and ehrlichia spp. in coyotes from oklahoma and texas, we tested for infection with and exposure to, respectively, ...201222448722
Increasing Information-Seeking About Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Through Community Partnerships in African American and Hispanic Communities.This study tested the feasibility of promoting 1-800-4-CANCER through partnerships with organizations serving African American and Hispanic communities. Small-media and client reminders about human papillomavirus vaccination were made available through local agents to 28 community organizations. Organizations ordered 79 932 resources and distributed them to young women and parents of girls-;African Americans in St Louis, Missouri, and Hispanics in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Pre- to po ...201222143485
clostridium difficile in retail meat and processing plants in texas.the incidence and severity of disease associated with toxigenic clostridium difficile have increased in hospitals in north america from the emergence of newer, more virulent strains. toxigenic c. difficile has been isolated from food animals and retail meat with potential implications of transfer to human beings. the objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of c. difficile in pork from sausage manufacturing plants and retail meat in texas. twenty-three c. difficile isolates ...201121908329
staphylococcus aureus infections in human immunodeficiency virus-positive children and adolescents.a retrospective case-control study was undertaken among patients followed at the texas children's hospital retrovirology clinic to determine the risk factors for staphylococcus aureus infection. a total of 28 episodes of s. aureus infection were identified from 20 patients. case patients had more advanced human immunodeficiency virus disease as measured by cd4 t-cell counts, log10 human immunodeficiency viral load, and centers for disease control and prevention category of disease, than controls ...201122016081
co-morbidities associated with tuberculosis in an autopsy case series.a retrospective review of cases of tuberculosis examined by our autopsy division was undertaken to determine the most common associated co-morbidities. forty-six cases of tuberculosis were examined between 2000 and 2010. the subpopulation of decedents studied included a large number of incarcerated individuals and showed an age distribution from 30 to 78 years. thirty-five of the cases reviewed showed one or more co-morbidities, primarily viral hepatitis c, cancer, human immunodeficiency virus ( ...201122082616
recovery of salmonella from biofilms in a headwater spring ecosystem.salmonellae are pathogenic bacteria often detected in waters impacted by human or animal wastes. in order to assess the fate of salmonellae in supposedly pristine environments, water and natural biofilm samples along with snails (tarebia granifera) and crayfish (procambarus clarkia) were collected before and up to 7 days following four precipitation events from sites within the headwater springs of spring lake, san marcos, tx. the samples were analyzed for the presence of salmonellae by polymera ...201121976193
Multilevel correlates for human papillomavirus vaccination of adolescent girls attending safety net clinics.BACKGROUND: Adolescent HPV vaccination in minority and low income populations with high cervical cancer incidence and mortality could reduce disparities. Safety-net primary care clinics are a key delivery site for improving vaccination rates in these populations. PURPOSE: To examine prevalence of HPV initiation (=1 dose), completion (receipt of dose 3 within 12 months of initiation), and receipt of 3 doses in four safety-net clinics as well as individual-, household-, and clinic-level correlates ...201122108490
polyfluoroalkyl compounds in texas children from birth through 12 years of age.background: for over 50 years, polyfluoroalkyl compounds (pfcs) have been used worldwide, mainly as surfactants and emulsifiers, and human exposure to some pfcs is widespread. objectives: to report pfc serum concentrations from a convenience sample of dallas, texas children from birth to less than 13 years, and to examine age and sex differences in pfc concentrations. methods: three hundred serum samples collected in 2009 were analyzed for 8 pfcs by on-line solid phase extraction-high perfor ...201122182702
clostridium difficile in poultry and poultry meat.the incidence and severity of disease associated with toxigenic clostridium difficile have increased in hospitals in north america from the emergence of newer, more virulent strains. toxigenic c. difficile has been isolated from food animals and retail meat with potential implications of transfer to human beings. the objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of toxigenic c. difficile in chickens and retail poultry meat in texas. seven c. difficile isolates were detected in f ...201121877928
complications of tunneled cuffed hemodialysis catheters in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.although increased infectious and thrombotic complications have been reported in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (hiv), little is known regarding hemodialysis catheter-related complications in hiv patients. in this report, we reviewed our experience and complication rates for tunneled cuffed catheters (tccs) in hiv patients requiring hemodialysis.201121928242
Amebiasis-Related Mortality among United States Residents, 1990-2007.Abstract. Despite the endemic nature of Entamoeba histolytica infection in the United States there is a lack of data on amebiasis-related mortality. We analyzed national death certificate data from 1990 to 2007 to assess the occurrence of amebiasis-related deaths and determine demographic and regional associations. A total of 134 deaths were identified. Mortality rates were highest in males, Hispanics, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and persons 75 years of age and older. An association with human immu ...201122144440
disseminated histoplasmosis mimicking secondary syphilis.a 34-year-old, hiv-positive man living in texas presented with a 2-week history of fever, malaise, myalgias, oral ulcers, and papules on his chest, back, face, and extremities, including the palms. initially secondary syphilis was suspected. however, rpr was negative. histopathologic examination revealed a lymphocytic infiltrate with numerous intra-histiocytic fungal organisms. gms and pas stains were positive, consistent with the diagnosis of histoplasmosis. we report a case of disseminated his ...201122136866
Activating enhancer-binding protein-2ß nucleolar localization predicts poor survival after stage I non-small cell lung cancer resection.Activating enhancer-binding protein-2ß (AP2ß) is a transcription factor involved in apoptosis. The purpose of the current study was to assess the cellular location and level of AP2ß in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and normal lung tissue and investigate whether the level and localization of AP2ß expression is predictive of overall survival in patients with stage I NSCLC.201121871297
variation in grain arsenic assessed in a diverse panel of rice (oryza sativa) grown in multiple sites.• inorganic arsenic (as(i) ) in rice (oryza sativa) grains is a possible threat to human health, with risk being strongly linked to total dietary rice consumption and consumed rice as(i) content. this study aimed to identify the range and stability of genetic variation in grain arsenic (as) in rice. • six field trials were conducted (one each in bangladesh and china, two in arkansas, usa over 2 yr, and two in texas, usa comparing flooded and nonflood treatments) on a large number of common rice ...201122142234
Characterizing ultrafine particles and other air pollutants at five schools in South Texas.Abstract  This study examined five schools with different ventilation systems in both urban and rural areas in South Texas. Total particle number concentration, ultrafine particle (UFP, diameter < 100 nm) size distribution, PM(2.5) , and CO(2) were measured simultaneously inside and outside of various school microenvironments. Human activities, ventilation settings, and occupancy were recorded. The study found a greater variation of indoor particle number concentration (0.6 × 10(3) -29.3 × 10(3 ...201121883490
trypanosoma cruzi and chagas' disease in the united states.chagas' disease is caused by the protozoan parasite trypanosoma cruzi and causes potentially life-threatening disease of the heart and gastrointestinal tract. the southern half of the united states contains enzootic cycles of t. cruzi, involving 11 recognized triatomine vector species. the greatest vector diversity and density occur in the western united states, where woodrats are the most common reservoir; other rodents, raccoons, skunks, and coyotes are also infected with t. cruzi. in the east ...201121976603
flt3 and npm1 mutations in myelodysplastic syndromes: frequency and potential value for predicting progression to acute myeloid leukemia.we reviewed flt3 and npm1 mutation data in a large cohort of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (mds). the frequencies of flt3 and npm1 mutation were 2.0% and 4.4%, respectively, and mutations were restricted to cases of intermediate- and high-risk mds. cytogenetic abnormalities were identified in 46.9% of cases. flt3 mutations were associated with a complex karyotype (p = .009), whereas npm1 mutations were associated with a diploid karyotype (p < .001). flt3 mutation (p < .001) was associat ...201121173125
neurocysticercosis in houston, texas: an update.neurocysticercosis, one of the most common parasitic infections of the human nervous system, has emerged as an important infection in the united states. neurocysticercosis causes significant morbidity associated with acute seizures, chronic epilepsy, and hydrocephalus.we retrospectively identified patients with definitive or probable neurocysticercosis seen at ben taub general hospital, the largest public teaching hospital in houston, texas, from september 1997 through december 2005. we collecte ...201121200189
multi-locus association of genetic variants in mll, crebbp, ep300 and top2a with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in hispanics from texas.background: hispanic children have both a higher incidence and a poorer outcome in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (all). moreover, a higher incidence for therapy related aml with 11q23 translocations after treatment with topoisomerase ii inhibitors has been observed in hispanic children with all. we sought to determine the potential role of genetic variants within the topoisomerase iia gene (top2a), within the mixed lineage leukemia gene (mll) and two of its translocation partners, cyclin amp resp ...201121493871
dietary patterns are associated with levels of global genomic dna methylation in a cancer-free population.animal studies have provided direct evidence that dietary factors induce changes in dna methylation patterns. in humans, studies on diet and dna methylation have yielded inconsistent findings. because humans tend to consume foods and nutrients that are highly interrelated, study of dietary patterns may have improved the power of detecting the effect of diet on dna methylation. using data collected from 149 participants aged 45-75 y in the north texas healthy heart study, we examined the relation ...201121525250
all-natural nitrite and nitrate containing dietary supplement promotes nitric oxide production and reduces triglycerides in humans.there is an emerging paradigm that certain foods promote nitric oxide (no) production from the stepwise reduction of nitrate to nitrite to no, providing an endothelium independent source of bioactive no. we hypothesize that a unique formulation containing nitrate-rich beetroot along with hawthorn berry shown to have a robust nitrite reductase activity would improve no status in humans and modify cardiovascular risk factors. the trial was conducted at the houston institute for clinical research i ...201121530799
polymorphisms of mdm4 and risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.purpose: mouse double minute 4 (mdm4), a homolog of mdm2, is one of the key negative regulators of p53, and its amplification or overexpression contributes to carcinogenesis by inhibiting the p53 tumor suppressor activity. we investigated the association between mdm4 polymorphisms and the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (scchn). methods: we genotyped three mdm4 tagging polymorphisms, two in the 3' untranslated region (rs11801299g>a and rs10900598g>t) and one in intron 1 (rs1 ...201121540763
water resources and land use and cover in a humid region: the southeastern united states.it is widely recognized that forest and water resources are intricately linked. globally, changes in forest cover to accommodate agriculture and urban development introduce additional challenges for water management. the u.s. southeast typifies this global trend as predictions of land-use change and population growth suggest increased pressure on water resources in coming years. close attention has long been paid to interactions between people and water in arid regions; however, based on informa ...201121546673
effects of feed-supplementation and hide-spray application of two sources of tannins on enteric and hide bacteria of feedlot cattle.pathogenic bacteria attached to the hide or shed in the feces of cattle at slaughter can contaminate carcasses intended to be processed for human consumption. therefore, new pre-harvest interventions are needed to prevent the carriage and excretion of foodborne pathogens in cattle presented to the processing plant. the objectives of this study were to examine the antimicrobial effects of hydrolysable tannin-rich chestnut and condensed tannin-rich mimosa extracts on bacterial indicators of foodbo ...201121547824
adiponectin and cardiovascular risk profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: parameters associated with adiponectin complex distribution.aims: plasma levels of the adipokine adiponectin are accepted as excellent correlates to metabolic health. here, we aim to characterise associations between circulating plasma adiponectin complexes and baseline parameters in a population of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (dm) with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. methods: we measured levels of high molecular weight (hmw), low molecular weight (lmw) and trimeric adiponectin. results: the study population comprised 53 subjects, me ...201121555334
cross-sectional assessment reveals high diabetes prevalence among newly-diagnosed tuberculosis cases.to estimate the contribution of clinically-confirmed diabetes mellitus to tuberculosis (tb) rates in communities where both diseases are prevalent as a way to identify opportunities for tb prevention among diabetic patients.201121556303
genome-wide association study of type 2 diabetes in a sample from mexico city and a meta-analysis of a mexican-american sample from starr county, texas.aims/hypothesis: we report a genome-wide association study of type 2 diabetes in an admixed sample from mexico city and describe the results of a meta-analysis of this study and another genome-wide scan in a mexican-american sample from starr county, tx, usa. the top signals observed in this meta-analysis were followed up in the diabetes genetics replication and meta-analysis consortium (diagram) and diagram+ datasets. methods: we analysed 967 cases and 343 normoglycaemic controls. the samples w ...201121573907
trisomy 11 as an isolated abnormality in acute myeloid leukemia is associated with unfavorable prognosis but not with an npm1 or kit mutation.trisomy 11 (+11) as an isolated abnormality is a rare event in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (aml) and is associated with poor prognosis. we describe the clinicopathologic features of 18 aml patients with isolated +11 and their mutation status of npm1, flt3, nras ,kras, and kit. fourteen patients had de novo aml and 4 patients had a history of myelodysplastic syndrome (mds). fifteen patients had a progressive clinical course with refractory or relapsed disease. the median overall survival ...201121577323
developmental trajectories of metabolic control among white, black, and hispanic youth with type 1 diabetes.objective: to examine race/ethnicity and neighborhood income differences in longitudinal patterns of deterioration in hemoglobin a1c (hba1c) values among youth (age 10 to 18 years) with type 1 diabetes. study design: a sample of 225 youth (50.2% female), including 81 white, 81 black, and 63 hispanic youth with type 1 diabetes, was matched initially on age and sex. neighborhood median family income was obtained through public census databases. self-identified race/ethnicity and all hba1c values ( ...201121592513
aerospace medicine at brooks afb, tx: hail and farewell.with the impending termination of usaf operations at brooks air force base (afb) in san antonio, tx, it is time to consider its historic role in aerospace medicine. the base was established in 1917 as a flight training center for the u.s. army air service and in 1926 became home to its school of aviation medicine. the school moved to san antonio's randolph field in 1931, but in 1959 it returned to brooks where it occupied new facilities to support its role as a national center for u.s. air force ...201121614874
fifty years of decompression sickness research at brooks afb, tx: 1960-2010.introduction, facilities, and methods: decompression sickness (dcs) occurring in hypobaric environments related to aviation or spaceflight was a major focus of research at brooks afb/city-base, tx, throughout the period 1960-2010. multiple hypobaric chambers and extensive support facilities were built for research on altitude dcs using both human subjects and animal models. areas of study included symptomatology, incidence, prediction, and prevention of dcs. high-altitude aviation, spacecraft at ...201121614886
reshaping pre-clerkship years in reproductive medicine education.abstract the educational program of the paul l. foster school of medicine in el paso, texas integrates the basic and clinical sciences and organizes them according to the organ-system based units. the reproduction unit focuses on human reproduction, pregnancy and illnesses associated with the female genital tract and breast. the sequence of 13 clinical presentations is structured so that the concepts developed during the study of one topic lays down a foundation for subsequent topics. students a ...201121801034
realizing electronic medical record benefits: an easy-to-do usability study.heuristic evaluation is a type of study that is useful for uncovering usability issues in a human-computer interface such as the electronic medical record (emr). findings can be very useful in overcoming usability problems to better realize the benefits of the emr. correction of the usability violations will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of emrs. the authors discuss their use of heuristic evaluation to assess usability issues found in their nursing electronic documentation system.201121799365
hospital admissions for asthma and acute bronchitis in el paso, texas: do age, sex, and insurance status modify the effects of dust and low wind events?background: el paso county (texas) is prone to still air inversions and is one of the dust "hot spots" in north america. in this context, we examined the sub-lethal effects of airborne dust and low wind events on human respiratory health (i.e., asthma and acute bronchitis) between 2000 and 2003, when 110 dust and 157 low wind events occurred. because environmental conditions may not affect everyone the same, we explored the effects of dust and low wind within three age groups (children, adults, ...201121782162
the applications of gis in the analysis of the impacts of human activities on south texas watersheds.with water resource planning assuming greater importance in environmental protection efforts, analyzing the health of agricultural watersheds using geographic information systems (gis) becomes essential for decision-makers in southern texas. within the area, there exist numerous threats from conflicting land uses. these include the conversion of land formerly designated for agricultural purposes to other uses. despite current efforts, anthropogenic factors are greatly contributing to the degrada ...201121776238
a brain-derived neurotrophic factor polymorphism val66met identifies fibromyalgia syndrome subgroup with higher body mass index and c-reactive protein.a common single nucleotide polymorphism (snp) in the gene of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (bdnf) results from a substitution at position 66 from valine (val) to methionine (met) and may predispose to human neuropsychiatric disorders. we proposed to determine whether these bdnf gene snps were associated with fibromyalgia syndrome (fms) and/or any of its typical phenotypes. patients with fms (n = 95) and healthy normal controls (hnc, n = 58) were studied. serum high-sensitivity c-reactive pro ...201121773883
serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels can inform outcome counseling after in vitro fertilization.the predictive value of serum beta hcg level for fetal cardiac motion and pregnancy outcome after ivf was evaluated. the serum hcg level 12 days after et is a useful predictor of subsequent presence of fetal cardiac activity and live birth and may assist clinicians in counseling patients regarding their ivf outcome.201121719003
pax8 expression in thymic epithelial neoplasms: an immunohistochemical analysis.pax8 is a transcription factor associated with the embryonic development of the thyroid gland, kidney, and the m++llerian system and plays a role in the tumorigenesis of these organs. pax8 has been shown to be expressed immunohistochemically in a high percentage of tumors of thyroid, renal, and m++llerian origin in both primary and metastatic sites. the diagnostic utility of pax8 protein expression in thymic epithelial neoplasms has not been comprehensively studied. this study examines the immun ...201121836478
a phase ii study of gefitinib in patients with metastatic melanoma.gefitinib is an inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor, which is frequently expressed on both choroidal and nonchoroidal melanoma cells. we evaluated the clinical efficacy of gefitinib in patients with metastatic melanoma. patients with stage iv or unresectable stage iii melanoma and zubrod performance status of less than or equal to 2 were eligible. previous systemic treatment for metastatic disease was required. the dose of oral gefitinib was 250 mg administered daily, and tumor res ...201121738104
weight and metabolic effects of cpap in obstructive sleep apnea patients with obesity.abstract:201121676224
validation of the royal marsden hospital prognostic score in patients treated in the phase i clinical trials program at the md anderson cancer center.background: the authors validated the royal marsden hospital (rmh) prognostic score in patients with advanced lung, pancreatic, and head and neck cancers who were enrolled on phase 1 trials in the md anderson cancer center phase i clinical trials program. methods: the rmh score uses albumin (ôëñ3.5 g/dl vs <3.5 g/dl), lactate dehydrogenase (less than or equal to the upper limit of normal [ôëñuln] vs >uln), and the number of metastatic sites (ôëñ2 sites vs ôëñ3 sites) to predict patient survival ...201121823111
trichuris sp. and strongyloides sp. infections in a free-ranging baboon colony.abstract we conducted cross-sectional surveys of parasites infecting a large free-living colony of baboons at the southwest national primate research center in san antonio in october 2003 and april 2004, immediately before and 6 mo after treatment with ivermectin. trichuris sp. was the predominant species present infecting 79 and 69% of individual animals in the 2 surveys, with fecal egg counts (fec) of up to 60,200 eggs per g (epg) (mean = 1,235 in oct 2003 and 1,256 in apr 2004). prevalence re ...201121830937
uncertainties influencing health-based prioritization of ozone abatement options.the primary goal of air quality management is protection of human health. therefore, formulation of ground-level ozone mitigation policies could be informed by considering not just attainment of regulatory standards but also how control measures benefit public health. however, evaluation of health impacts is complicated by uncertainties associated with photochemical modeling and epidemiological studies. this study demonstrates methods to characterize uncertainties influencing health-benefits est ...201121838245
rosuvastatin therapy does not affect serum mmp-13 or timp-1 levels in hypercholesterolemic patients.matrix metalloproteinases degrade the collagen content of atherosclerotic plaque and reduce plaque stability. in tissue sections of atherosclerotic plaque, the expression of matrix metalloproteinases is increased. 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitors (statins) decrease the tissue expression of matrix metalloproteinases-1, -2, -3, and -9 in atheromatous plaque by attenuating the inflammatory process that leads to increased expression. however, it is not known whether statins ...201121720458
chronic tiagabine administration and aggressive responding in individuals with a history of substance abuse and antisocial behavior.anticonvulsants, notably those which modulate gaba activity, have shown efficacy in reducing aggressive behavior. previously, we found dose-related decreases in human aggressive responding following acute tiagabine administration. here, we examined the effects of chronic tiagabine over a 5-week period. twelve individuals at increased risk for aggressive and violent behavior (currently on parole/probation with personality and/or substance use disorders) were randomly assigned to placebo (n = 6) o ...201121730016
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