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Serological indicators of general condition would be helpful for monitoring or assessing ungulate wildlife. Toward that end, we report the 1st reference values for 2 cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-[alpha]), in neonatal elk (Cervus elaphus). We obtained blood samples from 140 calves [less than or equal to] 6 days old in Yellowstone National Park during summer 2003-2005. IL-6 values ranged from 0 to 1.21 pg/ml with a median of 0.03 pg/ml. TNF-[alpha] values ranged from 0 to 225.43 pg/ml with a median of 1.85 pg/ml. IL-6 and TNF-[alpha] concentrations were not significant predictors of elk calf survival through 21 days. Development of ungulate-based IL-6 and TNF-[alpha] assays that provide greater sensitivity than cross-reacting human-based assays could be helpful in monitoring ungulate condition and health status comparisons among herds. Such information could provide indirect assessments of range quality or environmental influences among herds. Key words: Cervus elaphus, cytokine, elk, immunocompetence, interleukin-6, survival, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, Yellowstone

Cryptosporidium sp. parasitizes intestinal epithelium, resulting in enterocyte loss, villous atrophy, and malabsorptive diarrhea. We have shown that mucosal expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) is increased in infected piglets and that inhibition of iNOS in vitro has no short-term effect on barrier function. NO exerts inhibitory effects on a variety of pathogens; nevertheless, the specific sites of iNOS expression, pathways of iNOS induction, and mechanism of NO action in cryptosporidiosis remain unclear. Using an in vivo model of Cryptosporidium parvum infection, we have examined the location, mechanism of induction, specificity, and consequence of iNOS expression in neonatal piglets. In acute C. parvum infection, iNOS expression predominated in the villous epithelium, was NF-KB dependent, and was not restricted to infected enterocytes. Ongoing treatment of infected piglets with a selective iNOS inhibitor resulted in significant increases in villous epithelial parasitism and oocyst excretion but was not detrimental to maintenance of mucosal barrier function. Intensified parasitism could not be attributed to attenuated fluid loss or changes in epithelial proliferation or replacement rate, inasmuch as iNOS inhibition did not alter severity of diarrhea, piglet hydration, C1 secretion, or kinetics of bromodeoxyuridine-labeled enterocytes. These findings suggest that induction of iNOS represents a nonspecific response of the epithelium that mediates enterocyte defense against C. parvum infection, iNOS did not contribute to the pathogenic sequelae of C. parvum infection. nitric oxide; barrier function; diarrhea; cryptosporidiosis

Cell culture models implicate increased nitric oxide (NO) synthesis as a cause of mucosal hyperpermeability in intestinal epithelial infection. NO may also mediate a multitude of subepithelial events, including activation of cyclooxygenases. We examined whether NO promotes barrier function via prostaglandin synthesis using Cryptosporidium parvum-infected ileal epithelium in residence with an intact submucosa. Expression of NO synthase (NOS) isoforms was examined by real-time RT-PCR of ileal mucosa from control and C. parvum-infected piglets. The isoforms mediating and mechanism of NO action on barrier function were assessed by measuring transepithelial resistance (TER) and eicosanoid synthesis by ileal mucosa mounted in Ussing chambers in the presence of selective and nonselective NOS inhibitors and after rescue with exogenous prostaglandins. C. parvum infection results in induction of mucosal inducible NOS (iNOS), increased synthesis of NO and PG[E.sub.2], and increased mucosal permeability. Nonselective inhibition of NOS ([N.sup.G]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) inhibited prostaglandin synthesis, resulting in further increases in paracellular permeability. Baseline permeability was restored in the absence of NO by exogenous PG[E.sub.2]. Selective inhibition of iNOS [L-[N.sup.6]-(1-iminoethyl)-L-lysine] accounted for ~50% of NOS-dependent PG[E.sub.2] synthesis and TER. Using an entire intestinal mucosa, we have demonstrated for the first time that NO serves as a proximal mediator of PG[E.sub.2] synthesis and barrier function in C. parvum infection. Expression of iNOS by infected mucosa was without detriment to overall barrier function and may serve to promote clearance of infected enterocytes. Cryptosporidium parvum; permeability

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease in China, caused by a novel bunyavirus in the genus Phlebovirus (1). As many as 10,000 SFTS case-patients have [...]

Author(s): Bernhard J Hering (corresponding author) [1]; Martin Wijkstrom [1]; Melanie L Graham [1]; Maria Hardstedt [1]; Tor C Aasheim [1]; Tun Jie [1]; Jeffrey D Ansite [1]; Masahiko Nakano [...]

Presents and analyzes data on the arithmetic procedures people use when shopping for groceries in American supermarkets. Reports that the way shoppers solve problems is closely related to the way they formulate problems: supermarket arithmetic does not begin with a well-defined problem that calls for a specific numerical answer. (KH)

Participant observation of 32 mildly learning handicapped and 32 nonhandicapped adolescents in a high school setting found that handicapped adolescents had fewer friendships than did their nonhandicapped counterparts, less stable friendships, and less evidence of intimacy and empathy between pairs of handicapped peers. (Author/DB)

Examination of 30 mildly handicapped and 30 average high school students revealed that regular education students were more likely than special education students to be seriously involved in activities outside of schools. Sex differences were noted. Nonacademic activities provide an alternative path to achievement and self-esteem for low academic achievers. (Author/BJV)