Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephanie N. Kennedy, Mandy Keogh, Milton Levin, J. Margaret Castellini, Marianne Lian, Brian S. Fadely, Lorrie D. Rea, Todd M. O. Hara
Summary: The Steller sea lion population west of 144 degrees W longitude has experienced a significant decline, with some rookeries in the Aleutian Islands failing to recover. Differences in immune cell signaling proteins and mercury concentrations were found among regions, suggesting potential impacts on immune status in pups. Regional variations in cytokine and chemokine measurements were observed, indicating potential differences in immune system development and hematopoietic cell differentiation. No direct associations were found between mercury concentrations and immune proteins or liver-related enzymes. These findings highlight the importance of considering regional differences in immune factors and mercury exposure for ecological and risk assessment studies in Steller sea lions and other wildlife.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexey E. Kuzin, Alexey M. Trukhin
Summary: This report provides data on the entanglement of Steller sea lions in marine debris on Tyuleniy Island, Sea of Okhotsk. The report estimates the frequency of entanglement based on the material, sex, and age of the animals. The findings show that an average of 22.2 individuals per year were recorded with debris on their bodies, with young males constituting the largest proportion among them (5.2%).
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Pathology
Ching Ching Shirley Kot, Boaz Arzi, Janny V. Evenhuis, Philip H. Kass, Frank J. M. Verstraete
Summary: Through examining the skulls of Steller sea lions, it was found that adults had more dental issues and temporomandibular joint problems than young adults, which could play a significant role in their health and survival.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Sergey D. Ryazanov, Peter A. Permyakov
Summary: The translation mainly describes the survival status of Steller sea lions in the North Pacific Ocean, with a decline in numbers in certain areas of Asia, while noting the continuous growth of reproductive aggregation on Tuleny Island. The survey found that the sea lions on the island were mainly local animals, and a certain proportion were entangled in marine debris.
ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
John M. Maniscalco
Summary: Understanding the dietary variation of endangered Steller sea lions during critical periods of their annual cycle is crucial due to its impact on vital rates and population trends. This study investigated changes in their diet during an extreme climatic event, the northeast Pacific marine heatwave (PMH). The results showed that the sea lions faced difficulties in finding their preferred prey following the PMH peak, leading to a less diverse diet and potentially affecting population health.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Deke Gundersen, Daniel Josefchak, Deborah A. Duffield, Dalin N. D'Alessandro, James M. Rice
Summary: The study found that organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in marine mammals are associated with adverse health effects, with differences in contamination levels and sensitivity to contaminants between species. Diseased sea lions and harbor seals had higher concentrations of contaminants compared to healthy individuals, reflecting species-specific differences in pollutant loads and impacts on health.
MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Mathilde Puges, Xavier Berard, Caroline Caradu, Mailys Ducours, Carole Eldin, Mathilde Carrer, Noemie Sauvage, Marc-Olivier Vareil, Laure Alleman, Fatima M'Zali, Sabine Pereyre, Charles Cazanave
Summary: This study presents 5 cases of vascular Q fever with polymicrobial superinfection in patients without risk factors for acute Q fever. Q fever was diagnosed using serologic and molecular assays for Coxiella burnetii, with additional infections confirmed through conventional graft cultures.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Rachael A. Priestley, Cody B. Smith, Halie K. Miller, Gilbert J. Kersh
Summary: This study found that the ST8 isolates of Coxiella burnetii common in the US exhibited lower virulence in a mouse model compared to ST16 and ST20 isolates. Mice infected with ST8 isolates showed less weight loss and reduced bacterial burden in tissues than those infected with ST16 and ST20 isolates, which induced stronger antibody and cytokine responses.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sarah E. Rothenberg, Brianna R. Beechler, Julia D. Burco, Samantha Rae, Sheanna M. Steingass, Dianne Barton, Jennifer L. Johns, Duncan S. Russell, Kristen Deignan, Megan M. Blackledge, Autumn Nation
Summary: This study investigated the association between urogenital carcinoma (UGC) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in California sea lions and Steller sea lions. The results suggest that BDE-209 in blubber may be associated with UGC in California sea lions, while the incidence of UGC is lower in Steller sea lions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Jonathan J. Scordino, Adrianne M. Akmajian, Stacy L. Edmondson
Summary: This study analyzed the diets of Steller and California sea lions in northwest Washington and found that they have diverse diets that vary seasonally and annually. The two species utilize the same haul-out sites and show significant dietary niche overlap.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kyle S. Tidwell, Brett A. Carrothers, Daniel T. Blumstein, Zachary A. Schakner
Summary: The research found that hazing Steller sea lions can temporarily reduce their numbers and make them more likely to move away from humans, decrease foraging behavior. However, over time, the sea lions' response to hazing measures will weaken, indicating that they will gradually become accustomed to these measures.
FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Thomas A. Jefferson, Mari A. Smultea, Eric J. Ward
Summary: Two species of sea lions, the California sea lion and the Steller sea lion, have been found in the inland waters of Washington State. This study provides the first empirical abundance estimates for these species in the area and reveals their seasonal use patterns. The results are important for understanding the potential effects of sea lions on protected salmonid prey species in Washington's inland waters.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Pauline Thill, Carole Eldin, Laureen Dahuron, Alain Berlioz-Artaud, Magalie Demar, Mathieu Nacher, Emmanuel Beillard, Felix Djossou, Loic Epelboin
Summary: This study reveals the high and stable incidence of Q fever in French Guiana, with an annual rate of 27.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The study also identifies risk factors for Q fever, including male gender, being born in mainland France or Europe, and residing in Cayenne and its surroundings. These findings highlight the importance of addressing Q fever as a public health concern in French Guiana.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Rima Jeske, Larissa Dangel, Leander Sauerbrey, Dimitrios Frangoulidis, Lauren R. Teras, Silke F. Fischer, Tim Waterboer
Summary: The bacterium Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) is the causative agent of Q fever and has gained increasing interest due to outbreak events and its potential risk factor for lymphoma development. Multiplex serology using nine C. burnetii proteins showed promising results with specific antigens Com1 and GroEL achieving the highest sensitivity and specificity in detecting infections. This technology is valuable for investigating associations between C. burnetii infections and clinical manifestations in large-scale studies.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ana Hurtado, Ion I. Zendoia, Eva Alonso, Xabier Beraza, Joseba Bidaurrazaga, Blanca Ocabo, Inaki Arrazola, Aitor Cevidanes, Jesus Barandika, Ana Garcia-Perez
Summary: A large Q fever outbreak occurred in Spain, with 108 cases reported, including 53 cases of pneumonia and 27 hospitalizations. The outbreak began in February 2021 among rock climbers visiting a cave in Bizkaia and continued until October 2021. Most cases were reported after the Easter holiday in April-May 2021.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Salman L. Butt, Eric C. Erwood, Jian Zhang, Holly S. Sellers, Kelsey Young, Kevin K. Lahmers, James B. Stanton
Summary: Infectious bronchitis causes economic losses in poultry industry worldwide. The MinION-based AmpSeq method proved to be effective in rapidly and accurately identifying and genotyping IBV from oral swab samples, even in samples with multiple IBV lineages.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Bianca N. Lourenco, Amanda E. Coleman, Jaime L. Tarigo, Roy D. Berghaus, Cathy A. Brown, Daniel R. Rissi, James B. Stanton, Scott A. Brown, Chad W. Schmiedt
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2020)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Kelsey T. Young, Kevin K. Lahmers, Holly S. Sellers, David E. Stallknecht, Rebecca L. Poulson, Jerry T. Saliki, Stephen Mark Tompkins, Ian Padykula, Chris Siepker, Elizabeth W. Howerth, Michelle Todd, James B. Stanton
Summary: RNA viruses mutate rapidly, making targeted detection methods limited in detecting unknown viruses. Random deep sequencing can more comprehensively detect and characterize RNA viruses.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Pathology
Leticia B. de Oliveira, James B. Stanton, Jian Zhang, Corrie Brown, Salman Latif Butt, Kiril Dimitrov, Claudio L. Afonso, Jeremy D. Volkening, Leonardo J. C. Lara, Camila Stefanie F. de Oliveira, Roselene Ecco
Summary: This study investigated the histologic changes of Runting Stunting Syndrome (RSS) in commercial chicks, revealing characteristic lesions such as villous atrophy and crypt dilation. Viral gene sequences of avian nephritis virus, avian rotavirus, and picornavirus were detected in the jejunal segments of affected chicks, with picornaviral reads significantly associated with histologic lesions. The picornavirus showed genetic similarity with the genus Gallivirus, suggesting a potential role in the development of RSS.
VETERINARY PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Beate M. Crossley, Daniel Rejmanek, John Baroch, James B. Stanton, Kelsey T. Young, Mary Lea Killian, Mia K. Torchetti, Sharon K. Hietala
Summary: This study conducted whole-genome sequencing of influenza A virus (IAV) using MinION technology, showing high diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy in clinical samples from wild waterfowl, commercial poultry, and swine. Results demonstrated concordance between sequences obtained by MinION and Sanger sequencing methods, as well as reproducibility across different laboratories with >=99.8% consistency in the entirety of the IAV genomes sequenced.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Abigail E. Starcher, Kristen Peissig, James B. Stanton, Gary A. Churchill, Dunpeng Cai, Joshua T. Maxwell, Arthur Grider, Kim Love, Shi-You Chen, Amanda E. Coleman, Emma Strauss, Robert Pazdro
Summary: The study found that in a mouse population, GDF11 concentrations were positively correlated with cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area, while myostatin concentrations were negatively correlated with body weight, heart weight, left ventricular wall thickness, and mass. Genetic analyses showed that GDF11 and myostatin concentrations had moderate and high heritability, respectively, suggesting different regulatory pathways for these proteins. The gene Hey1 was identified as a potential regulator of GDF11, and further studies will evaluate its role in this pathway.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Valerie C. Marcano, Stivalis Cardenas-Garcia, Diego G. Diel, Luciana H. Antoniassi da Silva, Robert M. Gogal, Patti J. Miller, Corrie C. Brown, Salman Latif Butt, Iryna V. Goraichuk, Kiril M. Dimitrov, Tonya L. Taylor, Dawn Williams-Coplin, Timothy L. Olivier, James B. Stanton, Claudio L. Afonso
Summary: The study investigated the efficacy of in ovo vaccination with a specific vaccine against Newcastle disease in chicken embryos, showing that the vaccine provided effective protection, reduced mortality rates, and generated strong immune response against the challenge virus.
Editorial Material
Veterinary Sciences
Dayle E. McClintock, Frane Banovic, Danielle E. Lieske, James B. Stanton, Michaela Austel
JAVMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robert B. Piel, Valerie R. McElliott, James B. Stanton, Dongyue Zhuang, Sally A. Madsen-Bouterse, Linda K. Hamburg, Robert D. Harrington, David A. Schneider
Summary: This study characterizes the transmission of Nor98-like scrapie in ARR/ARR sheep and finds a low risk for natural transmission of the disease.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kelsey T. Young, Jazz Q. Stephens, Rebecca L. Poulson, David E. Stallknecht, Kiril M. Dimitrov, Salman L. Butt, James B. Stanton
Summary: The majority of APMV species are understudied or underreported, with many being incidentally identified from asymptomatic wild birds. The rapid advancement in high-throughput sequencing and avian influenza surveillance programs has led to the discovery of 12 different APMV species in the past decade. This study aims to genetically characterize APMVs isolated from wild bird samples collected in the United States between 2016 and 2018, using MinION sequencing technology.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Justin M. Stilwell, Matt J. Griffin, Geoffrey C. Waldbieser, James B. Stanton, John H. Leary, Lester H. Khoo, James M. Steadman, Cynthia Ware, David J. Wise, Alvin C. Camus
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between ictalurid catfish and myxozoan parasites in North American aquaculture operations. The results showed that the host fish influenced the composition and diversity of the myxozoan community, and proliferative gill disease (PGD) may involve mixed species infections.
JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Frane Banovic, James B. Stanton
Summary: This report presents a case of self-limiting canine acute febrile sterile neutrophilic dermatosis, characterized by typical target skin lesions and significant upregulation of T-helper 1 markers and interleukin-8, a potent neutrophil chemoattractant. Further large case series are required to characterize canine sterile neutrophilic dermatosis.
VETERINARY DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Salman L. Butt, Henry M. Kariithi, Jeremy D. Volkening, Tonya L. Taylor, Christina Leyson, Mary Pantin-Jackwood, David L. Suarez, James B. Stanton, Claudio L. Afonso
Summary: Co-infections of avian species with different RNA viruses and pathogenic bacteria can be accurately diagnosed and managed using a non-targeted sequencing approach, which provides a comprehensive view of the causes of disease. Long-read portable sequencers show potential advantages over short-read sequencers in terms of portability, speed, and cost. The MinION sequencing platform demonstrates the feasibility of rapidly detecting and genetically characterizing respiratory pathogens in clinical samples, similar to the Illumina MiSeq platform.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ann Carpenter, Ria R. Ghai, Joy Gary, Jana M. Ritter, Francisco R. Carvallo, Diego G. Diel, Mathias Martins, Julia Murphy, Betsy Schroeder, Kevin Brightbill, Deepanker Tewari, Lore Boger, Julie Gabel, Robert Cobb, Janemarie Hennebelle, James B. Stanton, Kathryn McCullough, Yung-Yi C. Mosley, Hemant K. Naikare, Rachel Radcliffe, Boyd Parr, Gary Balsamo, Brent Robbins, David Smith, Sally Slavinski, Carl Williams, Doug Meckes, Dee Jones, Tony Frazier, Kelley Steury, Jane Rooney, Mia Torchetti, Natalie Wendling, Dustin Currie, Casey Barton Behravesh, Ryan M. Wallace
Summary: The study establishes a pathoepidemiological model to evaluate the role of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first 10 companion animals that died while infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the US. The findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can, in rare circumstances, cause or contribute to death in pets.
JAVMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Bianca N. Lourenco, Chad W. Schmiedt, Magdy S. Alabady, James B. Stanton, Amanda E. Coleman, Cathy A. Brown, Daniel R. Rissi, Scott A. Brown, Jaime L. Tarigo
Summary: Using RNA sequencing, this study investigated the transcriptional activities of proinflammatory and profibrotic genes in cats with ischemia-induced chronic kidney disease. The results suggest that unilateral ischemic injury can differentially alter gene expression in both kidneys, indicating potential biomarkers of active kidney injury in cats.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2021)
