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Roughly a third of all horseshoe bat species (Rhinolophidae: Rhinolophus ) are found in Africa, where a recent continent-wide genetic survey suggested the presence of both undescribed and apparently invalid species. Here, we focus on the R. landeri species complex and the recent elevation of R. lobatus Peters, 1852, to species rank. That action created ambiguity in the taxonomy of East African members of the group-are both R. landeri Martin, 1838, and R. lobatus sympatric in East Africa or is another, unnamed species present there? Here, we refine genetic, morphological, and behavioral characterizations of R. landeri and its erstwhile synonyms with samples from the vicinity of their type localities. The distribution of R. landeri appears to be limited to Central and West Africa; existing genetic records attributed to this species from Mali clearly represent another taxon. We marshal genetic evidence for the species-level distinction of R. dobsoni Thomas, 1904, from Sudan, which was previously considered a synonym of R. landeri . We reject R. axillaris J. A. Allen, 1917, as a synonym of the R. landeri complex, provisionally regarding it as a valid member of the landeri species group. Finally, we demonstrate that East Africa is home to a fourth species of the landeri complex that is named herein. Final resolution of the systematics of this species complex awaits expanded characterizations (especially of genetics, vocalizations, and noseleaves) and studies of variation in regions of contact., Competing Interests: None declared., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Mammalogists.)

Background: Noroviruses are an important viral cause of chronic diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals., Method: We collected norovirus-positive stool samples (n=448) from immunocompromised patients (n=88) at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Research Center, U.S. from 2010-2022. We assessed clinical characteristics of the cohort, norovirus molecular epidemiology, and infectivity of norovirus specimens in human intestinal enteroids (HIEs) monolayers., Results: Thirty-nine of the 88 patients had sequential stool samples that allowed documentation of chronic norovirus infection with shedding levels ranging from 104 to 1011 genome copies/g of stool. The majority with confirmed chronic norovirus infection in this cohort (32/39, 82%) had clinical evidence of an inborn error of immunity (13 identified monogenic diseases), most with combined immunodeficiency (15 of 32) or common variable immunodeficiency (11 of 32). Noroviruses detected in the cohort were genetically diverse: both Genogroup I (GI.2, GI.3, GI.5, and GI.6) and Genogroup II (GII.1-GII.4, GII.6, GII.7, GII.12, GII.14, and GII.17) genotypes were detected, with GII.4 variants (Osaka, Apeldoorn, Den Haag, New Orleans, and Sydney) predominant (51 of 88, 57.9%). Viruses belonging to the GII.4 Sydney variant group that replicated in HIEs (n=9) showed a higher fold-increase in RNA genome copies during infection compared to others that replicated., Conclusions: Genetically and biologically diverse noroviruses established chronic infection in individuals with both inborn and acquired immunologic defects enrolled in an NIH surveillance study spanning 12 years, demonstrating the unique nature of each virus and host interaction., (Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America 2024.)

Background: Chronic norovirus infection (CNI) causes significant morbidity in immunocompromised patients. No effective prevention or treatment currently exists., Methods: Two patients with inborn errors of immunity, X- linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID) and DOCK8 deficiency, were followed longitudinally for clinical course, immune reconstitution, norovirus-specific T cell (NST) response, B cell reconstitution, and norovirus-specific antibody production. Samples were obtained in the peri-hematopoietic stem cell transplant setting (HSCT) before and after CNI clearance. The norovirus strain causing CNI was followed longitudinally for norovirus stool viral loads and sequencing., Results: The noroviruses were identified as GII.4 Sydney[P4 New Orleans] in one patient and GII.17[P17] in the other. An exacerbation of diarrhea post-HSCT in the patient with X-SCID was consistent with norovirus infection but not with graft-vs-host-disease on pathologic samples. Both patients recovered polyfunctional NSTs in the CD4 and CD8 T cell compartments which recognized multiple norovirus structural and non-structural viral antigens. T cell responses were minimal during active CNI but detectable after resolution. Mapping of norovirus-specific T cell responses between the patient with DOCK8 and his matched sibling donor were nearly identical. B cell reconstitution or new endogenous antibody production for IgA or IgG were not observed., Conclusion: This report is the first to demonstrate reconstitution of norovirus-specific T cell immunity after HSCT closely temporally aligned with clearance of CNI suggesting that cellular immunity is sufficient for norovirus clearance., (Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America 2024.)

Purpose: We present a unique case of delayed-onset, profound eptifibatide-induced thrombocytopenia that occurred 5 days after initiation of the drug., Summary: Eptifibatide is a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor with indications for use in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Eptifibatide-induced thrombocytopenia is uncommon but well studied and typically occurs within 24 hours of initiation of the drug. In the case described here, a 62-year-old male with a past history of coronary artery disease (including percutaneous coronary intervention within the past 12 months) was started on eptifibatide at a dosage of 2 µg/kg per minute for management of significant thrombus burden prior to a planned cardiac revascularization procedure; heparin for anticoagulation was also initiated. About 5 days after initiation of eptifibatide, the patient developed severe thrombocytopenia, with the platelet count dropping precipitously from 249 × 103/µL on admission to less than 1 × 103/µL. After eptifibatide and heparin therapy were discontinued and the patient was switched to argatroban, the platelet count recovered to 38 × 103/µL over the next 2 days. An eptifibatide platelet antibody assay was positive for IgG-mediated reactions consistent with eptifibatide-induced thrombocytopenia. Scoring of this case with the Naranjo scale yielded a score of 4, suggesting a possible adverse reaction to eptifibatide., Conclusion: This is the first published case report of profound eptifibatide-induced thrombocytopenia occurring more than 24 hours after eptifibatide initiation and serves to bring awareness that a delayed reaction can occur., (© American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2023. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Biotremors are vibrations, usually surface waves along the boundary of a medium, produced by an organism. While substrate-borne vibrations are utilized by different reptile species, true conspecific communication via biotremors has not yet been demonstrated in lizards. Recent research revealed that the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) produces biotremors. The prerequisites for any communication system are the ability of an organism to produce and detect a signal. We tested C. calyptratus behavioral responses to vibrations by placing them on a dowel attached to a shaker, emitting vibrations of 25, 50, 150, 300, and 600 Hz and compared their locomotory velocity before and after the stimulus. Adult chameleons exhibited a freeze response to 50 and 150 Hz, while juveniles exhibited a similar response to frequencies between 50 and 300 Hz. In a second experiment, chameleons were induced to produce biotremors via experimenter contact. These biotremors ranged in mean fundamental frequency from 106.4 to 170.3 Hz and in duration from 0.06 to 0.29 s. Overall, two classes of biotremors were identified, "hoots" and "mini-hoots," which differed significantly in mean relative signal intensity (-7.5 and -32.5 dB, respectively). Juvenile chameleons 2 months of age were able to produce biotremors, suggesting this behavior may serve a wide range of ecological functions throughout ontogeny. Overall, the data demonstrate that C. calyptratus can both produce and detect biotremors that could be used for intraspecific communication., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology.)

The central pattern generator (CPG) in anguilliform swimming has served as a model for examining the neural basis of locomotion. This system has been particularly valuable for the development of mathematical models. As our biological understanding of the neural basis of locomotion has expanded, so too have these models. Recently, there have been significant advancements in our understanding of the critical role that mechanosensory feedback plays in robust locomotion. This work has led to a push in the field of mathematical modeling to incorporate mechanosensory feedback into CPG models. In this perspective piece, we review advances in the development of these models and discuss how newer complex models can support biological investigation. We highlight lamprey spinal cord regeneration as an area that can both inform these models and benefit from them., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology.)

This study extends recent research demonstrating that the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) can produce and detect biotremors. Chameleons were paired in various social contexts: dominance (male-male; female-female C. calyptratus); courtship (male-female C. calyptratus); heterospecific (C. calyptratus + C. gracilis); and inter-size class dominance (adult + juvenile C. calyptratus). Simultaneous video and accelerometer recordings were used to monitor their behavior and record a total of 398 biotremors. Chamaeleo calyptratus produced biotremors primarily in conspecific dominance and courtship contexts, accounting for 84.7% of the total biotremors recorded, with biotremor production varying greatly between individuals. Biotremors were elicited by visual contact with another conspecific or heterospecific, and trials in which chameleons exhibited visual displays and aggressive behaviors were more likely to record biotremors. Three classes of biotremor were identified-hoots, mini-hoots, and rumbles, which differed significantly in fundamental frequency, duration, and relative intensity. Biotremor frequency decreased with increasing signal duration, and frequency modulation was evident, especially in hoots. Overall, the data show that C. calyptratus utilizes substrate-borne vibrational communication during conspecific and possibly heterospecific interactions., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology.)

We evaluated the effects of incremental amounts of ground flaxseed ( GFX ) on diversity and relative abundance of ruminal microbiota taxa, enteric methane ( CH 4 ) emissions, and urinary excretion of purine derivatives ( PD ) in lactating dairy cows in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Twenty mid-lactation Jersey cows were used in the study. Of these 20 cows, 12 were used for ruminal sampling, 16 for enteric CH 4 measurements, and all for spot urine collection. Each period lasted 21 d with 14 d for diet adaptation and 7 d for data and sample collection. Diets were formulated by replacing corn meal and soybean meal with 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% of GFX in the diet's dry matter. Ruminal fluid samples obtained via stomach tubing were used for DNA extraction. Enteric CH 4 production was measured using the sulfur hexafluoride tracer technique. Diets had no effect on ruminal microbiota diversity. Similarly, the relative abundance of ruminal archaea genera was not affected by diets. In contrast, GFX decreased or increased linearly the relative abundance of Firmicutes ( P < 0.01) and Bacteroidetes ( P < 0.01), respectively. The relative abundance of the ruminal bacteria Ruminococcus ( P < 0.01) and Clostridium ( P < 0.01) decreased linearly, and that of Prevotella ( P < 0.01) and Pseudobutyrivibrio ( P < 0.01) increased linearly with feeding GFX. A tendency for a linear reduction ( P = 0.055) in enteric CH 4 production (from 304 to 256 g/d) was observed in cows fed increasing amounts of GFX. However, neither CH 4 yield nor CH 4 intensity was affected by treatments. Diets had no effect on the urinary excretion of uric acid, allantoin, and total PD. Overall, feeding GFX decreased linearly the relative abundance of the ruminal bacterial genera Ruminococcus and Clostridium and enteric CH 4 production, but no change was seen for CH 4 yield and CH 4 intensity, or urinary excretion of total PD, suggesting no detrimental effect of GFX on microbial protein synthesis in the rumen., Competing Interests: Authors have not stated any conflicts of interest., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

Background/objective: Alcohol use typically begins in adolescence, and the risk of later alcohol use disorders increases with earlier age of onset. Emotion dysregulation in adolescence has been linked to alcohol use. The present study seeks to extend previous findings by examining whether gender moderates the association between emotion regulation strategies (suppression and cognitive reappraisal) and alcohol-related problems in a longitudinal sample of adolescents., Method: Data were collected as part of an ongoing study of high school students from the south-central region of the USA. The sample included 693 adolescents who participated in a study on suicidal ideation and risk behaviors. The majority of participants were girls (54.8%), white (85%) and heterosexual (87.7%). Baseline (T1) and 6-month follow-up (T2) data were analyzed for the present study., Results: Negative binomial moderation analyses revealed that gender moderated the association between cognitive reappraisal and alcohol-related problems, such that the association between reappraisal and alcohol-related problems was significantly stronger for boys than for girls. Gender did not moderate the association between suppression and alcohol-related problems., Conclusions: The results suggest that emotion regulation strategies may be a particularly useful target for prevention and intervention efforts. Future research should consider tailoring adolescent alcohol prevention and intervention efforts focused on emotion regulation strategies by gender to bolster cognitive reappraisal skills and decrease suppression., (© The Author(s) 2022. Medical Council on Alcohol and Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.)

Suitable habitat fragment size, isolation, and distance from a source are important variables influencing community composition of plants and animals, but the role of these environmental factors in determining composition and variation of host-associated microbial communities is poorly known. In parasite-associated microbial communities, it is hypothesized that evolution and ecology of an arthropod parasite will influence its microbiome more than broader environmental factors, but this hypothesis has not been extensively tested. To examine the influence of the broader environment on the parasite microbiome, we applied high-throughput sequencing of the V4 region of 16S rRNA to characterize the microbiome of 222 obligate ectoparasitic bat flies (Streblidae and Nycteribiidae) collected from 155 bats (representing six species) from ten habitat fragments in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Parasite species identity is the strongest driver of microbiome composition. To a lesser extent, reduction in habitat fragment area, but not isolation, is associated with an increase in connectance and betweenness centrality of bacterial association networks driven by changes in the diversity of the parasite community. Controlling for the parasite community, bacterial network topology covaries with habitat patch area and exhibits parasite-species specific responses to environmental change. Taken together, habitat loss may have cascading consequences for communities of interacting macro- and microorgansims., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

A 2-yr grazing experiment was conducted to evaluate efficacy of nitrogen (N) fertilization, interseeded legumes, and protein supplementation for N delivery to stocker cattle grazing annual ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum ). Each year, 90 steers (initial BW, 241 ± 13 kg) were assigned to the following N-delivery methods, with or without monensin fed in a free-choice mineral supplement as a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: ryegrass fertilized with 112 kg N/ha (NFERT); ryegrass interseeded with crimson clover (CC, Trifolium incarnatum ); ryegrass interseeded with arrowleaf clover (AC, Trifolium vesiculosum ); ryegrass plus distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) supplemented at 0.65% BW daily; and ryegrass plus whole cottonseed (WCS) supplemented at 0.65% BW daily. Pastures within the interseeded-clover and protein-supplementation treatments were fertilized with 56 kg N/ha at time of establishment. Steers were weighed every 28 d, and forage mass (FM, kg DM/ha) was measured concurrently using the destructive harvest/disk meter double-sampling method. Each of 30 0.81-ha paddocks was stocked initially with 3 "tester" steers, and stocking density (steers/ha) was adjusted using "put-and-take steers" based on changes in FM and steer BW in order to maintain a uniform forage allowance (FA) of 1 kg DM/kg steer BW. Grazing was discontinued on May 11, 2016 in Yr 1 and May 10, 2017 in Yr 2 following 140 and 84 d of grazing, respectively. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with repeated measures for which pasture ( n = 3) was the experimental unit. Ionophore inclusion did not affect ( P > 0.10) any variable measured. Mean FM differed ( P < 0.0001) between years and among N-delivery methods ( P < 0.10), and mean FA differed ( P = 0.005) among N-delivery methods. Steer ADG differed among N-delivery methods ( P = 0.02) and between years ( P < 0.001), whereas total gain/ha differed ( P < 0.0008) among N-delivery methods, but not between years ( P = 0.78). Stocking density differed among N-delivery methods ( P = 0.02) and between years ( P < 0.0001), and grazing-days/ha differed between years ( P < 0.0001) and among N-delivery methods ( P = 0.001). Results indicate that supplementation with a high-protein by-product feed for cattle grazing annual ryegrass maintained ADG, total gain/ha and grazing-days/ha compared with N-fertilized annual ryegrass, and increased ADG, total gain/ha, and grazing-days over interseeded legumes., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

When novel or extreme morphologies arise, they are oft met with the burden of functional trade-offs in other aspects of anatomy, which may limit phenotypic diversification and make particular adaptive peaks inaccessible. Bramids (Perciformes: Bramidae) comprise a small family of 20 extant species of fishes, which are distributed throughout pelagic waters worldwide. Within the Bramidae, the fanfishes ( Pteraclis and Pterycombus ) differ morphologically from the generally stout, laterally compressed species that typify the family. Instead, Pteraclis and Pterycombus exhibit extreme anterior positioning of the dorsal fin onto the craniofacial skeleton. Consequently, they possess fin and skull anatomies that are radically different from other bramid species. Here, we investigate the anatomy, development, and evolution of the Bramidae to test the hypothesis that morphological innovations come at functional (proximate) and evolutionary (ultimate) costs. Addressing proximate effects, we find that the development of an exaggerated dorsal fin is associated with neurocrania modified to accommodate an anterior expansion of the dorsal fin. This occurs via reduced development of the supraoccipital crest (SOC), providing a broad surface area on the skull for insertion of the dorsal fin musculature. While these anatomical shifts are presumably associated with enhanced maneuverability in fanfishes, they are also predicted to result in compromised suction feeding, possibly limiting the mechanisms of feeding in this group. Phylogenetic analyses suggest craniofacial and fin morphologies of fanfishes evolved rapidly and are evolutionarily correlated across bramids. Furthermore, fanfishes exhibit a similar rate of lineage diversification as the rest of the Bramidae, lending little support for the prediction that exaggerated medial fins are associated with phylogenetic constraint. Our phylogeny places fanfishes at the base of the Bramidae and suggests that nonfanfish bramids have reduced medial fins and re-evolved SOCs. These observations suggest that the evolution of novel fin morphologies in basal species has led to the phylogenetic coupling of head and fin shape, possibly predisposing the entire family to a limited range of feeding. Thus, the evolution of extreme morphologies may have carryover effects, even after the morphology is lost, limiting ecological diversification of lineages., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology.)

Background: Chronic norovirus infection in immunocompromised patients can be severe, and presently there is no effective treatment. Adoptive transfer of virus-specific T cells has proven to be safe and effective for the treatment of many viral infections, and this could represent a novel treatment approach for chronic norovirus infection. Hence, we sought to generate human norovirus-specific T cells (NSTs) that can recognize different viral sequences., Methods: Norovirus-specific T cells were generated from peripheral blood of healthy donors by stimulation with overlapping peptide libraries spanning the entire coding sequence of the norovirus genome., Results: We successfully generated T cells targeting multiple norovirus antigens with a mean 4.2 ± 0.5-fold expansion after 10 days. Norovirus-specific T cells comprised both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that expressed markers for central memory and effector memory phenotype with minimal expression of coinhibitory molecules, and they were polyfunctional based on cytokine production. We identified novel CD4- and CD8-restricted immunodominant epitopes within NS6 and VP1 antigens. Furthermore, NSTs showed a high degree of cross-reactivity to multiple variant epitopes from clinical isolates., Conclusions: Our findings identify immunodominant human norovirus T-cell epitopes and demonstrate that it is feasible to generate potent NSTs from third-party donors for use in antiviral immunotherapy., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression increases extracellular matrix deposition and contributes to interstitial fibrosis in the kidney after injury. While PAI-1 is ubiquitously expressed in the kidney, we hypothesized that interstitial fibrosis is strongly dependent on fibroblast-specific PAI-1 (fbPAI-1)., Methods: Tenascin C Cre (TNC Cre) and fbPAI-1 knockdown (KD) mice with green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressed within the TNC construct underwent unilateral ureteral obstruction and were sacrificed 10 days later., Results: GFP+ cells in fbPAI-1 KD mice showed significantly reduced PAI-1 expression. Interstitial fibrosis, measured by Sirius red staining and collagen I western blot, was significantly decreased in fbPAI-1 KD compared with TNC Cre mice. There was no significant difference in transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) expression or its activation between the two groups. However, GFP+ cells from fbPAI-1 KD mice had lower TGF β and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression. The number of fibroblasts was decreased in fbPAI-1 KD compared with TNC Cre mice, correlating with decreased alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and less fibroblast cell proliferation. TNC Cre mice had decreased E-cadherin, a marker of differentiated tubular epithelium, in contrast to preserved expression in fbPAI-1 KD. F4/80-expressing cells, mostly CD11c+/F4/80+ cells, were increased while M1 macrophage markers were decreased in fbPAI-1 KD compared with TNC Cre mice., Conclusion: These findings indicate that fbPAI-1 depletion ameliorates interstitial fibrosis by decreasing fibroblast proliferation in the renal interstitium, with resulting decreased collagen I. This is linked to decreased M1 macrophages and preserved tubular epithelium., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved.)

Dung beetle species richness and abundance on Mt Cameroon were investigated to evaluate the effects of elevation. Surveys were done at five different elevations on the southwest facing slope from 216 to 2,102 m above sea level near the tree line at intervals of ~500 m. In total, 27 species and 1,886 specimens were collected during the study. No linear relationship between either species richness or beetle abundance and elevation was found with an expected highest diversity and abundance at low elevation and the lowest diversity and abundance at high elevation. Instead, both the highest diversity and abundance were discovered at the middle elevation (914-1,012 m) with 22 species and 48% of the total catch. The highest diversity indices (Shannon and Simpson) were found at the second lowest elevation (522-625 m). The lowest diversity found at the highest elevation (1,974-2,101 m) included only two species and represented only 4% of the beetles sampled. Unexpected low diversity and abundance at the lowest elevation are hypothesized to be due at least in part to the effects of bushmeat hunting in the more accessible lower elevations and the concomitant effects on dung beetles that mainly utilize mammal dung. The most similar faunas based on Morisita-Horn paired comparisons were those at the two highest and the two lowest elevations while the most dissimilar were the middle compared with the highest elevation. Faunas appear to be divided into high and low elevation communities with a boundary or division at c.1,500-1,750 m elevation.

Parental perceptions of their children's weight status may limit their willingness to participate in or acknowledge the importance of early interventions to prevent childhood obesity. This study aimed to examine potential differences in Hispanic mothers' and fathers' perceptions of childhood obesity, lifestyle behaviors and communication preferences to inform the development of culturally appropriate childhood obesity interventions. A qualitative study using focus groups was conducted. Groups (one for mothers and one for fathers) were composed of Hispanic parents (n = 12) with at least one girl and one boy (≤ 10 years old) who were patients at a pediatric clinic in Tennessee, USA. Thirteen major themes clustered into four categories were observed: (i) perceptions of childhood obesity/children's weight; (ii) parenting strategies related to children's dietary behaviors/physical activity; (iii) perceptions of what parents can do to prevent childhood obesity and (iv) parental suggestions for partnering with child care providers to address childhood obesity. Mothers appeared to be more concerned than fathers about their children's weight. Fathers expressed more concern about the girls' weight than boys'. Mothers were more likely than fathers to congratulate their children more often for healthy eating and physical activity. Parents collectively expressed a desire for child care providers (e.g. caregivers, teachers, medical professionals and food assistance programs coordinators) to have a caring attitude about their children, which might in turn serve as a motivating factor in talking about their children's weight. Parental perceptions of their children's weight and healthy lifestyle choices are of potential public health importance since they could affect parental participation in preventive interventions., (© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Exyra ridingsii (Riley) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a moth whose obligate host is the pitcher plant Sarracenia flava (L.) (Nepenthales: Sarraceniaceae). The entire life cycle of the moth is completed in the trumpets of this fire-dependent plant that is found throughout the southeastern United States in bogs, long-leaf pine savannas, and pocosins. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of E. ridingsii on S. flava, including the effect of herbivory on trumpet height in the year subsequent to feeding and whether moths select trumpets for oviposition based on height. Although most forms of herbivory by insects might be expected to have negative effects on plants by reducing photosynthetic abilities, it would be counterproductive for herbivory by E. ridingsii to negatively affect S. flava as this plant is the only possible habitat for E. ridingsii. At each site in selected quadrats, the number of trumpets, trumpet height, trumpet status, number of trumpets in a clump, and number of clumps were recorded. The relationship between height and herbivory was analyzed using a linear model, and a positive correlation was found between height and herbivory. E. ridingsii herbivory had no effect on the next year's growth of S. flava based on a Spearman's correlation. Therefore, we concluded that E. ridingsii has little effect on S. flava populations and has likely evolved to selectively avoid herbivory on more vulnerable, smaller plants., (© The Authors 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Unlabelled: Skatole (3MI) is a major contributor to the malodor emission resulting from ruminant and human faeces. The remediation of malodor has been a major challenge for the animal production industry. In this investigation, a pure culture of purple nonsulphur bacterium capable of degrading 3MI was isolated from a swine waste lagoon using an enrichment technique and identified as Rhodopseudomonas palustris WKU-KDNS3 based on 16S rRNA analysis and UV-visible spectroscopy. The cell structure of the organism was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Growth profile and 3MI removal pattern were determined using media supplemented with 0.1 μmol 3MI under short-term and long-term aerobic growth conditions. The organism grew on 3MI media as luxuriantly as control (without 3MI). Growth of R. palustris WKU-KDNS3 demonstrated a significant reduction in the level of 3MI (>48%) in 72 h. The level of 3MI dropped further by >93% of the total concentration present in the medium in 21 days. Skatole remediation potential of R. palustris WKU-KDNS3 can be judiciously utilized in various animal and industrial waste treatment systems., Significance and Impact of the Study: Odour pollution is a serious environmental problem, particularly in the agriculture industry, and technologies based on chemical remediation are less effective and cost prohibitive. In this study, the newly isolated Rhodopseudomonas palustris strain WKU-KDNS3 causes biodegradation of 3-methylindole (skatole), which is one of the most offensive odorants present in wastewater lagoons. Aerobic degradation of this widely spread aromatic pollutant by Rhodopseudomonas strain is a significant finding that enhances the present understanding about metabolic versatility of purple photosynthetic nonsulphur bacteria. The remediation potential of R. palustris WKU-KDNS3 can also be gainfully utilized in various waste treatment facilities., (© 2014 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Aims: To evaluate the persistence of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (Myco. paratuberculosis), Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium (Salm.Typhimurium) and a commensal Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolate under the low pH and high organic acid (OA) conditions of ensiling of forages., Methods and Results: Decay rates and the time required to obtain a 90% reduction in cell concentration were calculated following (i) exposure to buffered OA (pH 4.0, 5.0, 6.0 or 7.0) (ii) exposure to silage exudates and (iii) survival through ensiling of forage materials. Salm. Typhimurium had higher decay rates in silage exudates (-0.5601 day(-1) ) than did E. coli (-0.1265 day(-1) ), but both exhibited lower decay rates in silage than in OA or silage exudates. Myco. paratuberculosis showed no decrease in silage and decay rates in silage exudates were significantly lower (2-12 times) than for the other two organisms., Conclusions: Escherichia coli, Salm. Typhimurium and Myco. paratuberculosis exhibit marked differences in response to acidity. All three organisms show acid resistance, but Myco. paratuberculosis in particular, if present in manure and applied to forage grasses, may survive the low pH and high OA of the ensilaging process; silage may therefore be a potential route of infection if ingested by a susceptible animal., Significance and Impact of Study: This information contributes to the understanding of potential risks associated with silage preservation and contamination of livestock feed with manure-borne pathogens., (Published 2013. This is article is a U. S. Goverment work and is in the public domain in the USA.)

Purpose: We investigated the relationship between cognitive status and quality of life (QOL) of Minnesota nursing home (NH) residents and the relationship between conventional or Alzheimer's special care unit (SCU) placement and QOL. The study may inform development of dementia-specific quality measures., Design and Methods: Data for analyses came from face-to-face interviews with a representative sample of 13,130 Minnesota NH residents collected through the 2007 Minnesota NH Resident Quality of Life and Consumer Satisfaction survey. We examined 7 QOL domains: comfort, meaningful activities, privacy, environment, individuality, autonomy, relationships, and a positive mood scale. We applied multilevel models (resident and facility) to examine the relationship between the resident's score on each QOL domain and the resident's cognitive impairment (CI) level and SCU placement after controlling for covariates, such as activities of daily living dependency, pain, depression or psychiatric diagnosis, and length of stay., Results: Residents with more severe CI reported higher QOL in the domains of comfort and environment and lower QOL in activities, individuality, privacy and meaningful relationships, and the mood scale. Residents on SCU reported higher QOL in the meaningful activities, comfort, environment, and autonomy domains but had lower mood scores., Implications: Our findings point to QOL domains that show significant variation by CI and thus may be of greatest interest to consumers, providers, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders committed to improving dementia care. Findings are particularly applicable to the development of NH quality indicators that more accurately represent the QOL of NH residents with CI.

Objective: The present study prospectively examined the development of child PTSD symptoms (PTSS) and the impact of caregiver PTSS on child PTSS following injury., Methods: One hundred and eighteen ED patients and their caregivers were interviewed in-hospital and 2- and 6-weeks posttrauma. Structural equation modeling and hierarchical linear regressions examined the development of PTSS., Results: A model combining child and caregiver 2-week PTSS into one latent family PTSS variable provided the best fit to the data. Child in-hospital avoidance symptoms predicted higher levels of 2-week family PTSS. Two-week family PTSS predicted child 6-week PTSS. Post hoc analyses revealed an interaction between in-hospital caregiver avoidance symptoms and child reexperiencing symptoms in predicting 6-week child PTSS., Conclusions: Results highlight the dynamic development of child PTSS. Different symptom clusters may be related to higher PTSS at differing times posttrauma and may inform the development of time-sensitive methods of assessment and intervention for injury victims.

Aims: To determine the source material and the responsible micro-organisms of 4-ethylphenol production in swine lagoon sediment slurries., Methods and Results: Swine lagoon sediment was blended and incubated with tryptone-yeast extract broth containing 10 mmol l(-1) each of 4-hydroxycinnamic as well as other phenolics. 4-Ethylphenol was only produced from 4-hydroxycinnamic acid. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis indicated that the microbial community was substantially altered from inclusion of 4-hydroxycinnamic acid. Serial dilutions and selective plating were employed to isolate a culture capable of 4-hydroxycinnamic acid conversion to 4-ethylphenol. Morphological and ribosomal gene analysis indicated the isolate to be a Lactobacillus sp., Lactobacillus sp. pep8 converted 4-vinylphenol, but not 4-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate, to 4-ethylphenol and did not convert 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid to 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol. A p-coumaric acid decarboxylase (pdc) gene identical to Lact. plantarum pdc genes was cloned from Lactobacillus sp. pep8., Conclusions: Swine lagoon sediments produce 4-ethylphenol from 4-hydroxycinnamic acid due, in part, to the activity of Lactobacillus spp., Significance and Impact of the Study: 4-Ethylphenol, a malodourant of swine and beef wastes, is generated from plant materials by indigenous lactobacilli suggesting that altering the amount dietary of plant material may influence levels of 4-ethylphenol in the wastes., (Journal compilation © 2009 The Society for Applied Microbiology. No claim to original US Government works.)

Structured inquiry approaches, in which students receive a Drosophila strain of unknown genotype to analyze and map the constituent mutations, are a common feature of many genetics teaching laboratories. The required crosses frustrate many students because they are aware that they are participating in a fundamentally trivial exercise, as the map locations of the genes are already established and have been recalculated thousands of times by generations of students. We modified the traditional structured inquiry approach to include a novel research experience for the students in our undergraduate genetics laboratories. Students conducted crosses with Drosophila strains carrying P[lacW] transposon insertions in genes without documented recombination map positions, representing a large number of unique, but equivalent genetic unknowns. Using the eye color phenotypes associated with the inserts as visible markers, it is straightforward to calculate recombination map positions for the interrupted loci. Collectively, our students mapped 95 genetic loci on chromosomes 2 and 3. In most cases, the calculated 95% confidence interval for meiotic map location overlapped with the predicted map position based on cytology. The research experience evoked positive student responses and helped students better understand the nature of scientific research for little additional cost or instructor effort.

Aims: To develop a defined medium for Clostridium scatologenes ATCC 25775, which produces the malodorants 3-methylindole (skatole) and 4-methylphenol (p-cresol)., Methods and Results: Clostridium scatologenes was cultured in anaerobic broth medium (pH 6.3) at 37 degrees C containing ammonia, minerals and a commercial vitamin solution. Data indicate alpha-ketoglutarate, L-glutamate or L-glutamine is a required nutrient that can also serve as a primary carbon and energy source. When cultured in defined medium containing glutamate; glucose, fructose and betaine served as primary carbon and energy sources. L-Tryptophan, L-tyrosine, sorbitol and indole acetic acid did not enhance growth. In the absence of tryptophan, cells produced indole when grown using glucose or fructose. 4-Methylphenol was produced when growing cells were supplied with tyrosine. When supplied with tryptophan, 3-methylindole was produced by glucose- or fructose-growing cells but not from glutamate-growing cells. Cells grown in the presence of pyruvate produced indole, 3-methylindole and 4-methylphenol., Conclusions: Clostridium scatologenes requires alpha-ketoglutarate, L-glutamate, or L-glutamine for growth in defined medium. Cells produce indole when glucose or fructose is included in defined medium., Significance and Impact of the Study: The development of a defined medium will assist in physiology studies and genetic analysis of this strain.

Older adult inmates have grown both in proportion and in number due to the confluence of a number offactors. This aging of the prison population has created a host of policy and practice issues that encompass justice considerations, cost containment issues, and biopsychosocial care needs. The older prisoner's physical, social, and psychological needs are complex and necessitate gerontologically based service delivery systems. The intent of this article is to help in the preparation of social work practitioners who can engage in older adult prison advocacy work by familiarizing them with a review of pertinent literature. Topics discussed include the following: the characteristics of older adult inmates, the special needs of older offenders and accompanying service delivery issues, and the use of selective decarceration as one strategy for addressing the problem of prison overcrowding. The authors conclude the article with a summary of key challenges social workers face in assisting this population.

Aims: To investigate the processes controlling the transport of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) through aquifer materials., Methods and Results: We measured two important surface characteristics known to affect bacterial attachment to sediment surfaces: surface charge and hydrophobicity. We then measured the transport of Map through laboratory columns packed with aquifer sand with varying ionic strength solutions and sediment surface charge. We found that Map has a strong negative charge and is highly hydrophobic and that the transport of Map through positively charged Fe-coated sands was reduced compared with transport through negatively charged clean quartz sand, although Map transport for all treatments was low compared with the transport behaviour reported in the literature for other bacteria., Conclusions: Our results suggest that the potential for groundwater contamination by Map is low; however, the organism may remain bound to the soil near the surface where it can be ingested by grazing animals or be released during run off events., Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first study looking at the surface characteristics and transport behaviour of Map through aquifer materials and therefore provides important information for understanding the movement of Map in the environment.

Aims: 3-Methylindole (3-MI) is a degradation product of L-tryptophan and is both an animal waste malodorant and threat to ruminant health. Culture conditions influencing 3-MI production in Clostridium scatologenes ATCC 25775 were investigated., Methods and Results: Extracellular 3-MI levels in cells cultured in brain heart infusion (BHI) medium (pH 7.0) at 33 degrees C and 37 degrees C for 72 h were 907 +/- 38 and 834 +/- 121 micromol l(-1), respectively. Cells cultured in tryptone-yeast (TY) extract medium at 37 degrees C for 48 h produced 104 +/- 86 micromol l(-1) 3-MI; however, addition of 1 mmol l(-1) L-tryptophan failed to increase extracellular levels (113 +/- 50 micromol l(-1) 3-MI). Specific activity of indole acetic acid decarboxylase measured in BHI, TY and TY plus 1 mmol l(-1) tryptophan-grown cells displayed 35-, 33- and 76-fold higher levels than in semi-defined medium-grown cells., Conclusions: When cultured in rich medium, at 33 degrees C or 37 degrees C and pH 7.0, Cl. scatologenes ATCC 25775 optimally produced 3-MI. Addition of L-tryptophan to medium did not lead to significant increases in extracellular 3-MI levels. Whole cell assays indicate growth in rich medium significantly up-regulated 3-MI production., Significance and Impact of the Study: Information presented here may prove useful in understanding what factors influence 3-MI production in malodorous animal wastes.

Aims: To determine the effects of anaerobic electron acceptors on 3-methylindole (3-MI) and 4-methylphenol (4-MP) production in swine lagoon enrichments and Clostridium scatologenes ATCC 25775., Methods and Results: Swine lagoon sediment was incubated anaerobically in tryptone-yeast extract medium with (10 mmol l(-1)) Na(2)SO(4), KNO(3), dimethyl sulfoxide or Fe(III). With Fe(III), 3-MI and 4-MP levels increased significantly to 138 +/- 15.8 and 187 +/- 14.0 micromol l(-1), respectively. Clostridium scatologenes cultured in brain-heart infusion medium amended with (10 mmol l(-1)) Na(2)SO(4), KNO(3), MnO(2) or Fe(III), resulted in only Fe(III) significantly increasing 3-MI (1308 micromol l(-1)) and 4-MP (367 micromol l(-1)) levels. In semi-defined medium, Fe(III) alone and Fe(III) + L-tryptophan (1 mmol l(-1)) resulted in a 1.85-fold and 15.6-fold increase in 3-MI levels over L-tryptophan alone, respectively. Fe(III) alone and Fe(III) + L-tyrosine (1 mmol l(-1)) caused a 4.4-fold and 22.9-fold increase in 4-MP levels over tyrosine alone, respectively. Fe(III) did not increase growth of Cl. scatologenes., Conclusions: Fe(III) increases 3-MI and 4-MP in swine lagoon enrichments and Cl. scatologenes broth cultures., Significance and Impact of the Study: Previous studies suggest Fe(III) addition to swine lagoons could remediate malodorous volatile fatty acids; however, here data suggest Fe(III) could increase malodorous indolic and phenolic levels.

Background: older adults can be limited in their performance of daily tasks due to an inadequate aerobic capacity. Aerobic capacity below minimum physiological thresholds required to maintain independence leaves older adults with little, or no, aerobic reserve., Objective: the aim of this study was to measure functional performance and aerobic reserve in older adults during the serial performance of daily tasks., Subjects: twenty-nine (n = 29) men and women (n = 23 females) 70-92 years of age participated in this study., Methods: performance based physical function was assessed using the Continuous-Scale Physical Functional Performance test (CS-PFP). A Cosmed K4b(2) portable metabolic system was used to measure VO(2PEAK) and oxygen uptake during the serial performance of a battery of daily tasks (VO(2PFP)). Aerobic reserve was calculated as the difference between VO(2PEAK) and VO(2PFP)., Results: the correlation coefficient between aerobic reserve and functional performance was r = 0.50(P = 0.006). Participants utilized 32.2 +/- 8.1%, 42.7 +/- 10.8%, and 50.3 +/- 12.3% of VO(2PEAK) for the low, moderate, and high workloads of the CS-PFP, respectively., Conclusions: light housework and carrying groceries require 40 to 50% of peak oxygen consumption. This information can be used by clinicians and health professionals working with older adults as a guide to how much aerobic fitness is needed to perform ADLs and maintain independence. These can then be used as guides for assessment and for setting training goals in older adults.

Background: Noroviruses are enterically transmitted and are a frequent cause of gastroenteritis, affecting 23 million people annually in the United States. We describe a norovirus outbreak and its control in a tertiary care hospital during February-May 2004., Methods: Patients and health care workers met the case definition if they had new onset of vomiting and/or diarrhea during the outbreak period. Selected stool samples were tested for norovirus RNA. We also determined outbreak costs, including the estimated lost revenue associated with unit closures, sick leave, and cleaning expenses., Results: We identified 355 cases that affected 90 patients and 265 health care workers and that were clustered in the coronary care unit and psychiatry units. Attack rates were 5.3% (7 of 133) for patients and 29.9% (29 of 97) for health care workers in the coronary care unit and 16.7% (39 of 233) for patients and 38.0% (76 of 200) for health care workers in the psychiatry units. Thirteen affected health care workers (4.9%) required emergency department visits or hospitalization. Detected noroviruses had 98%-99% sequence identity with representatives of a new genogroup II.4 variant that emerged during 2002-2004 in the United States (e.g., Farmington Hills and other strains) and Europe. Aggressive infection-control measures, including closure of units and thorough disinfection using sodium hypochlorite, were required to terminate the outbreak. Costs associated with this outbreak were estimated to be $657,644., Conclusions: The significant disruption of patient care and cost of this single nosocomial outbreak support aggressive efforts to prevent transmission of noroviruses in health care settings.

Aims: To evaluate the survival of Campylobacter jejuni relative to that of Escherichia coli in groundwater microcosms varying in nutrient composition., Methods and Results: Studies were conducted in groundwater and deionized water incubated for up to 470 days at 4 degrees C. Samples were taken for culturable and total cell counts, nutrient and molecular analysis. Die-off in groundwater microcosms was between 2.5 and 13 times faster for C. jejuni than for E. coli. Campylobacter jejuni had the lowest decay rate and longest culturability in microcosms with higher dissolved organic carbon (4 mg l(-1)). Escherichia coli survival was the greatest when the total dissolved nitrogen (12.0 mg l(-1)) was high. The transition of C. jejuni to the coccoid stage was independent of culturability., Conclusion: The differences in the duration of survival and response to water nutrient composition between the two organisms suggest that E. coli may be present in the waters much longer and respond to water composition much differently than C. jejuni., Significance and Impact of the Study: The data from these studies would aid in the evaluation of the utility of E. coli as an indicator of C. jejuni. This study also provided new information about the effect of nutrient composition on C. jejuni viability.

Skatole is one of the most malodorous compounds produced from the anaerobic degradation of animal waste. Little is known about the biochemistry of skatole production, the phylogeny of skatole-producing microorganisms or the conditions that favor their growth. These deficiencies hamper attempts to reduce skatole production. Our goals were to enrich for skatole producers in swine lagoon slurry (SLS) and evaluate the resulting microbial community structure using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Skatole producers were enriched by incubating dilutions of SLS with 100 muM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). GC-MS was used to measure skatole production in the slurries after 0, 7 and 17 days' incubation. Based on most probable number analysis, skatole producers increased 100-fold in SLS samples supplemented with IAA. Based on DGGE fingerprint patterns from day 0, 7 and 17 treatments with high, mid or low levels of skatole production, changes in the SLS population occurred as skatole production increased. Changes in the bacterial community fingerprints were associated with an increase in the low-GC gram-positive and Bacteroides groups. Results from this study provides valuable new information concerning the organisms responsible for production of this odorant, a necessary first step towards controlling skatole production.

Aims: To isolate and characterize micro-organisms from poultry litter capable of growing under phosphate concentrations typical of poultry litter., Methods and Results: Poultry litter extracts were plated onto brain-heart infusion medium (BHI) containing an additional 0.75 mol l(-1) phosphate (BHI-P). Colonies were screened for the presence of inclusion granules with five being selected for further study. All strains displayed identical biochemical characteristics consistent with Staphylococcus spp. and grouped with Staphylococcus spp. by comparative 16S rDNA analysis. Thus all five strains were identified as such. All strains displayed elevated intracellular phosphate levels when cultured in BHI-P broth (0.417-0.600 microg phosphate mg(-1) protein) vs BHI broth (0.075-0.093 microg phosphate mg(-1) protein). When grown using an austere semi-defined medium or BHI-P, Staph. sp. #7 displayed similar elevated intracellular phosphate levels compared with growth in BHI., Conclusions: Poultry litter contains novel Staphylococcus spp. capable of robust growth when exposed to phosphate levels comparable with that typically found in poultry litter. Data suggest intracellular phosphate levels in these strains increase in response to increasing phosphate in the medium or austere medium conditions. Intracellular phosphate did not reach levels comparable with known hyper-accumulating micro-organisms., Significance and Impact of the Study: These data suggest poultry litter possesses a resident microflora that thrives and accumulates intracellular phosphate in response to high phosphate conditions.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are semivolatile organic compounds that may form as a result of incomplete combustion of organic materials. After they are produced in combustion systems, this class of chemicals can be emitted with flue gas or adsorbed in combustion residues such as fly ash and bed ash. The purpose of this study is to develop a thermal extraction (TE) method for the determination of the 16 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency specified priority PAH pollutants in fly ash. The commonly used method for determining PAHs in solid wastes is solvent extraction followed by gas chromatography (GC) or GC-mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. This method is work- and time-intensive and produces solvent waste. In this study, the samples are analyzed using TE and fast GC-time-of-flight (TOF)-MS. The complete process from extraction to analysis can be achieved in less than one hour. The results indicate that the TE-GC-TOF-MS method has good linear range from 1.5 to 60 micro g/g for all 16 PAHs. The recoveries for the 16 target PAHs vary between 83% and 94%.

Stool specimens from 156 Maryland nursing home residents, who became ill during 20 outbreaks of gastroenteritis from November 1987 through February 1988, were analyzed. All tested negative for astroviruses, enteroviruses, Group A rotaviruses, Sapporo-like caliciviruses, and enteric bacteria (i.e., Salmonella, Clostridium, and Shigella species). Eighty-two (52%) were positive for Norwalk-like viruses (NLVs), members of the family Caliciviridae. Six distinct genetic clusters within genogroups I and II of the NLVs were detected; a genogroup II (GII) virus closely related to the Camberwell virus in the NLV GII/4 genetic cluster was the predominant strain. Serologic evidence of infection with > or = 1 NLV was detected in 61 (56%) of 109 patients tested against 3 NLV antigens (i.e., Norwalk, Hawaii, and Toronto viruses). Sixteen (80%) outbreaks met the definition for an NLV outbreak. Taken together with a retrospective analysis of bacterial gastroenteritis in this same setting, these data support a major role for NLVs as etiologic agents of gastroenteritis in elderly persons.

The application of molecular technologies, such as the expression of viral proteins in baculovirus, has provided a powerful approach to the diagnosis of human calicivirus (HuCV) infections. The baculovirus-expressed HuCV capsid protein self-assembles into virus-like particles, providing excellent reagents for immunologic assays, such as enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). Following the expression of the capsid protein of Norwalk virus, the capsid proteins of 8 other HuCV strains have been expressed in baculovirus. The unlimited supply of baculovirus-produced reagents for HuCVs allows these EIAs to be applied in large-scale clinical and epidemiological studies. Both the antigen and antibody-detection EIAs are highly sensitive. The antigen-detection EIAs are highly specific, but the antibody-detection EIAs are more broadly reactive. This article reviews baculovirus expression techniques used to produce HuCV capsid antigens, development of EIAs using these antigens, and application of these EIAs in studies of HuCV infection and illness.

The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) has recently approved several proposals submitted by the present Caliciviridae Study Group. These proposals include the division of the family into 4 new genera designated Lagovirus, Vesivirus, "Norwalk-like viruses (NLVs), and "Sapporo-like viruses (SLVs); the latter 2 genera were assigned temporary names until acceptable names can be determined by the scientific community. The genera have been further divided into the following species: Feline calicivirus and Vesicular exanthema of swine virus (genus Vesivirus), Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus and European brown hare syndrome virus (genus Lagovirus), Norwalk virus (genus NLV), and Sapporo virus (genus SLV). In addition, the ICTV approved a proposal to remove the hepatitis E virus from the Caliciviridae into an "unassigned classification status.

Congress has approved the commissioning of chiropractors in the various medical branches of the armed services. Currently, the Department of Defense is conducting a 3-year demonstration program at 10 military sites in which chiropractors are hired on a contractual basis to treat military personnel. This paper presents a brief history of chiropractic and a discussion of a major court case involving the AMA and other professional medical associations. A survey of legal, professional, and organizational issues that must be resolved prior to, or in conjunction with, the full integration of chiropractic in the armed services health care delivery system (if directed by Congress) is included. Prompted by the identified issues, recommended policies and actions are offered to ensure that this alternative health care service is effectively utilized by patient beneficiaries.

Telemedicine, an emerging technology which seeks to use advanced telecommunications equipment to enhance medical care, is progressing rapidly in the Department of Defense health care delivery system. This paper recommends that a cautious, preventive law approach be simultaneously initiated to ensure that the technology does not abridge patients' rights to confidentiality or security of medical records, and that agreement on practice parameters be developed. Seven interfaces, in the areas of informed consent, physician liability, non-physician liability, costs, practice parameters, physician-patient relationships, and ergonomics, are discussed in the context of telemedicine. The author recommends that telemedicine pioneers include the legal community's early input in the application of telemedicine technology to help avoid needless litigation.

Hawaii virus (HV), from a 1971 family outbreak of gastroenteritis, is serotypically distinct from Norwalk virus (NV), recently identified as a human calicivirus by molecular analysis. About 2600 consecutive nucleotides of the HV genome (including those encoding the viral capsid protein) and part of the polymerase region of three other viruses (MDV1, MDV6 and SV7) were sequenced. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of the capsid protein of HV with NV and other human caliciviruses (Toronto virus [TV24], Desert Shield virus [DSV395], and Southampton virus [SHV]) demonstrated the existence of two major genetic groups (genogroups) typified by HV and NV. HV had 76% identity with TV24 and 48% identity with NV, DSV395, or SHV. In addition, comparison of part of the polymerase protein of HV with other human caliciviruses also showed that there were these two genogroups. The large genetic diversity between the capsid sequence of HV and NV is consistent with their serotypic distinctiveness.

Norwalk virus (NV) and Norwalk-like viruses are important causes of epidemic nonbacterial gastroenteritis in older children and adults. Serologic responses to NV of 154 Finnish infants and young children participating in a rotavirus vaccine study were examined by ELISA with a recently available baculovirus-expressed recombinant NV capsid protein. In 4 serially collected sera (at the median ages of 3, 4, 14, and 23 months), 49% of children had at least one NV infection over the approximately 2-year study period. Children with low NV-specific IgG titers (< 1:50) at the median age of 4 or 14 months were significantly more likely to acquire an NV infection by the median age of 14 or 23 months, respectively, than children who had higher NV IgG titers (> 1:50) (P < .05). Thus, NV or Norwalk-like virus infections are more common in infants and young children than previously believed, and antibody to NV may be protective against such infections.

Sera from infants and adults who received a live, attenuated monovalent rotavirus vaccine of serotype 1, 2, 3, or 4 VP7 specificity and rhesus rotavirus (RRV) VP4 specificity were analyzed for serotype-specific antibody responses by an epitope blocking immunoassay (EBA) and by neutralization. Although the assays correlated well, responses to the individual neutralization proteins or to different defined antigenic sites on the same protein could be distinguished only by EBA. In general, adult vaccinees exhibited both a homotypic response to the immunizing strain and a heterotypic response to other serotypes. Infant vaccinees less than 6 months old also had a homotypic antibody response but developed significantly fewer heterotypic responses than adults (1.2% and 59%, respectively; P less than .0001). In addition, postvaccination sera from vaccinees who developed naturally occurring rotavirus diarrhea during an efficacy trial of RRV (MMU-18006) or RIT 4237 vaccine were analyzed for serotype-specific responses. The data suggest that the inability to mount a heterotypic antibody response to the infecting serotypes in young infants may have been an important factor in failure of the vaccines to induce protection.