Predicting the initial spread of novel Asian origin influenza A viruses in the continental USA by wild waterfowl

Using data on waterfowl band recoveries, we identified spatially explicit hotspots of concentrated waterfowl movement to predict occurrence and spatial spread of a novel influenza A virus (clade 2.3.4.4) introduced from Asia by waterfowl from an initial outbreak in North America in November 2014. In response to the outbreak, the hotspots of waterfowl movement were used to help guide sampling for clade 2.3.4.4 viruses in waterfowl as an early warning for the US poultry industry during the outbreak . After surveillance sampling of waterfowl, we tested whether there was greater detection of clade 2.3.4.4 viruses inside hotspots. We found that hotspots defined using kernel density estimates of waterfowl band recoveries worked well in predicting areas with higher prevalence of the viruses in waterfowl. This approach exemplifies the value of ecological knowledge in predicting risk to agricultural security.     

A simplified and inexpensive method for the preparation of fresh or fixed bone samples for forensic histological examination

ABSTRACT

The histological analysis of bone for forensic application requires thin sections to be prepared from extracted bone of suitable quality for visualization through conventional light microscopy and (if required) the measurement of microstructural features, such as osteons. While a number of protocols for the preparation of thin sections exist, they are often time consuming and complex, or require expensive and non-portable equipment. A revised protocol is presented for obtaining high quality thin sections for light microscopy and histological analyses, tested in fresh, fixed, and dry archaeological cortical bone. It does not require extensive experience, or expensive materials or equipment, and can be further adapted for use with manual tools if necessary.     

Automated radiosynthesis of [11C]UCB-J for imaging synaptic density by positron emission tomography

An automated radiosynthesis of carbon-11 positron emission tomography radiotracer [¹¹C]UCB-J for imaging the synaptic density biomarker synaptic vesicle glycoprotein SV2A was established using Synthra RNPlus synthesizer. Commercially available trifluoroborate UCB-J analogue was used as a radiolabelling precursor, and the desired radiolabelled product was isolated in 11 ± 2% (n = 7) nondecay corrected radiochemical yield and formulated as a 10% EtOH solution in saline with molar activities of 20 to 100 GBq/μmol. The method was based upon the palladium(0)-mediated Suzuki cross-coupling reaction and [¹¹C]CH₃I as a radiolabelling synthon. The isolated product was cGMP compliant as demonstrated by the results of quality control analysis.     

18F-AV1451 PET imaging and multimodal MRI changes in progressive supranuclear palsy

Journal of Neurology - Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is characterized by deposition of straight filament tau aggregates in the grey matter (GM) of deep nuclei and cerebellum. We examined the...