A vast amount of expert knowledge currently remains inaccessible to digital information systems. Expert knowledge elicitation is a systematic approach to accessing and synthesizing the insights of subject matter experts, especially when available objective data are incomplete. In plant pathology, expert knowledge elicitation is valuable for addressing urgent, uncertain, and/or future challenges, such as emerging disease threats, complex epidemiological systems, knowledge gaps when resources a...| Emerging Pathogens Institute » University of Florida
The human microbiome plays a critical role in health and disease. Disruptions in microbiota composition or function have been implicated not only as markers but also as drivers of diverse pathologies, creating opportunities for targeted microbiome interventions. Advancing these therapies requires experimental models that can unravel the complex, bidirectional interactions between human tissue and microbial communities.| Emerging Pathogens Institute » University of Florida
The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens poses a critical global health challenge, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. This study explores host-targeted therapies by focusing on deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), key regulators of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) that mediate host-pathogen interactions. Using Salmonella-infected macrophages, we screened a UPS-targeted compound library and identified several compounds that enhanced bacterial clearance without affect...| Emerging Pathogens Institute » University of Florida
Dermatophytes are keratinophilic filamentous fungi that cause dermatophytosis, and the main etiological agents can be anthropophilic and zoophilic. Several virulence factors are involved in the pathogenesis of dermatophytosis, including the formation of fungal biofilms. In this context, three-dimensional (3D) models, such as spheroids and reconstructed human skin (RHS), have gained prominence, as they more accurately emulate fungus-host interactions, closely resembling physiological conditions.| Emerging Pathogens Institute » University of Florida
This study explored how dilution protocols, enzymes, and solvents affected the performance of 2- and 3-phenyl substituted methylcarbamates with varying selectivity for Anopheles gambiae acetylcholinesterase (AgAChE). Protocol A was 100-fold suspension in buffer of a 0.1 M DMSO stock solution, followed by serial buffer dilutions to give declining DMSO in parallel with the inhibitor. Protocol B was identical to A except that the initial stock concentration was 0.01 M.| Emerging Pathogens Institute » University of Florida
Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an alphavirus transmitted by mosquito vectors. Among the three MAYV genotypes (D, L, and N), genotype D has the broadest geographical distribution in Latin America and the Caribbean. The virus can be transmitted by the Aedes, Anopheles, and Haemagogus mosquitoes. To explore the potential expansion of MAYV across the Atlantic Ocean, we compared MAYV (D) infection kinetics in Floridian Aedes aegypti with New World (Anopheles albimanus) and Old World (Anopheles gambiae) an...| MDPI
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a globally significant pathogen affecting both domestic livestock and wildlife, including white-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus). While experimental infections have demonstrated WTD susceptibility to BVDV, natural infections and associated reproductive outcomes remain scarcely documented. Here, we report the first confirmed case of naturally occurring BVDV-1 infection associated with fetal mummification in farmed WTD in Florida. A two-year-old do...| MDPI
Mosquito blood meals provide a biological sample of host blood which can then be used in downstream applications including host–pathogen detection. We conducted DNA barcoding to identify the host species of blood meals from 4557 blood engorged mosquitoes collected in south central Florida, USA. We identified 314 blood meals from invasive wild pigs, 219 wild turkey blood meals, and 1046 white-tailed deer blood meals. From a subset of these host blood meals, we used molecular assays to detect...| MDPI
Cyanobacteria are prolific producers of biologically active compounds that are important in influencing ecology, behavior of interacting organisms, and as leads in drug discovery efforts. Here we discuss the challenges faced by all natural product researchers, especially those that focus on cyanobacteria, and then| pubs.rsc.org
Background Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prevents HIV transmission but has low uptake among women. Identifying women who could benefit from PrEP remains a challenge. This study developed a women-specific model to predict HIV risk within a year using electronic health record (EHR) data and social determinants of health (SDoH). Methods We conducted a case-control study using EHR and claims data from a centralized patient repository in the Southeastern United...| BioMed Central
Despite longstanding oyster cooking recommendations, outbreaks associated with cooked oysters still occur. A survey of U.S.-based restaurants was conducted to investigate common cooking practices, including steaming, baking, and roasting. Target restaurants were identified using Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes and surveyed through live phone interviews and online. The questionnaire included open- and closed-ended questions for restaurant staff, including chefs and managers, wit...| journals.plos.org
Author summary Thousands of dengue cases are reported in non-endemic countries each year due to returning travelers having been infected in tropical and subtropical regions. However, the true number of dengue illnesses among travelers is unknown because not all cases seek medical care and an unknown proportion of those who do are not diagnosed or reported to health authorities. Consequently, travelers and their medical providers do not have accurate information on the risk of acquiring dengue...| journals.plos.org
Microbial nitric oxide (NO) metabolism plays a critical role in regulating host redox homeostasis, yet its probiotic relevance remains largely unexplo…| www.sciencedirect.com
Author summary Together, unsafe water, unimproved sanitation, poor hygiene, and dirty environment make it easier for people, especially babies, in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) to catch enteric diseases. Generally, babies can get sick when they drink dirty water, eat contaminated food, do not wash their hands, play in dirty environment, or stay with other sick people. But what is the riskiest behavior for babies as they are growing up in LMICs is unknown. In this study, the authors ...| journals.plos.org
Contact investigations are crucial for tuberculosis (TB) control, yet the temporal dynamics of disease progression among exposed contacts remain poorly understood. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 44,106 contacts linked to 6,243 index TB cases diagnosed between 2009 and 2023. During the 15-year follow-up, 454 contacts developed TB disease, with 43.4% being incident cases. Using time-to-event analysis with left truncation to account for varying follow-up times, and mixed effect Cox...| journals.plos.org
