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The Incompetence of Mosquitoes—Can Zika Virus Be Adapted to Infect Culex tarsalis Cells?

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Zika virus (ZIKV) is transmitted between humans by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. However, the 2015 to 2017 outbreak raised questions regarding the role of Culex species mosquitoes in transmission. Investigators attempted to adapt ZIKV to C. tarsalis by serially passaging the virus on cocultured A. aegypti and C. tarsalis cells to identify viral determinants of species specificity.

Infant Rhesus Macaques Immunized Against SARS-CoV-2 Are Protected Against Heterologous Virus Challenge 1 Year Later

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The Moderna and Pfizer–BioNTech mRNA vaccines received emergency use authorization for infants 6 months and older in June 2022, but questions remain regarding the durability of vaccine efficacy against emerging variants in this age group. Using a two-dose vaccine regimen consisting of stabilized prefusion Washington-strain spike protein encoded by mRNA and encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles, the investigators immunized 2-month-old rhesus macaques of both sexes.

Naturally Occurring Osteochondrosis Latens Lesions Identified by Quantitative and Morphological 10.5 T MRI in Pigs

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Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) is a pediatric orthopedic disorder that is associated with pain and gait deficits. JOCD lesions form in the knee, elbow, and ankle joints and can progress to early-onset osteoarthritis. In this study, researchers used a noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method to identify naturally occurring lesions in intact knee and elbow joints of juvenile pigs. This work can be applied to noninvasive identification and monitoring of early JOCD lesions and determination of risk factors that contribute to their progression in children.

Impaired Placental Hemodynamics and Function in a Non-Human Primate Model of Gestational Protein Restriction

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Maternal malnutrition is a global health epidemic that adversely affects fetal outcomes and results in long-term health complications in children. Investigators used a previously developed model in nonhuman primates for gestational protein restriction to study the impact of undernutrition, specifically protein deficiency, on placental function and pregnancy outcomes. The data demonstrate that a 50% protein-restricted diet reduces maternal placental perfusion, decreases fetal oxygen availability, and increases fetal mortality.

Profile of a Promising Environmental Health Scholar: Tracie Baker, D.V.M., Ph.D.

An environmental toxicologist, principal investigator, and director of the Warrior Aquatic, Translational, and Environmental Research (WATER) Laboratory, Dr. Tracie Baker (Figure 1) has long had an interest in studying aquatic animals, an interest that eventually led to toxicology research and the opportunity to lead a Florida Everglades research expedition.

ORIP Support for Small Businesses Leads to New Commercial Technology Outcomes That Benefit Community Resources and Advance Research Discoveries

ORIP participates in two federal grant programs that provide funding to small businesses: the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. The primary goal of ORIP’s small business programs is to attract innovative SBIR/STTR projects that could benefit research resources and communities associated with ORIP’s mission.

Zika Virus Vaccine Looks Promising To Prevent Mother-to-Fetus Transmission

In 2015 and 2016, the Zika virus outbreak in South America surprised the global community. In pregnant women, the virus led to a high rate of fetal abnormalities, collectively called congenital Zika syndrome. Babies suffered from such birth defects as microcephaly, which is characterized by a small head and an incompletely developed brain. Although the peak of the outbreak has passed, the risk of another outbreak remains because transmission occurs primarily via infected mosquitos.

Promising One-Dose Rapid Treatment for Newborns to Prevent Lifelong Infection with HIV

Newborns can be exposed to HIV—the virus that causes AIDS—during gestation, birth, or breastfeeding. In general, babies born to mothers who test positive for HIV are screened and tested. If found positive, the babies will receive the standard of care: antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment. Because no cure currently exists for HIV, these babies will receive treatments for the rest of their lives to keep the virus suppressed (i.e.,below detectable levels).

K01 Awardee Studies Innovative Approaches to Induce Protective Immunity Against HIV

Dr. Mauricio Martins has long been fascinated by the complexity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its relevance to public health. “The virus…is able to overcome the most sophisticated defenses in the immune system,” Dr. Martins explained. As an immunologist, he is interested in developing new ways to harness the immune system to eliminate HIV.

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