@article{wei_abraham_chadwick_beckstead_2020, title={Histomonas meleagridis isolates compared by virulence and gene expression}, volume={286}, ISSN={["1873-2550"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109233}, abstractNote={Abstract Pathology and putative virulence factor expression of three Histomonas meleagridis isolates differing in geographic origin, cell passage number (56 or 100), or cell populations grown from a monoculture were compared. Turkey poults inoculated with the high cell passage number isolates or monoculture isolates varied in gross lesion severity and weight gain (P}, journal={VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY}, author={Wei, Zehui and Abraham, Mathew and Chadwick, Elle V and Beckstead, Robert B.}, year={2020}, month={Oct} }
 @article{beckstead_anderson_mcdougald_2020, title={Oviduct Fluke (Prosthogonimus macrorchis) Found Inside a Chicken Egg in North Carolina}, volume={64}, ISSN={["1938-4351"]}, DOI={10.1637/aviandiseases-D-20-00021.s1}, number={3}, journal={AVIAN DISEASES}, author={Beckstead, R. B. and Anderson, K. and McDougald, L. R.}, year={2020}, month={Sep}, pages={352–353} }
 @article{chadwick_rahimi_grimes_pitts_beckstead_2020, title={Sodium bisulfate feed additive aids broilers in growth and intestinal health during a coccidiosis challenge}, volume={99}, ISSN={["1525-3171"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.psj.2020.07.027}, abstractNote={Sodium bisulfate (SB) was evaluated on its ability to improve broiler growth and intestinal structure with(out) a coccidia challenge. One thousand two hundred Cobb500 day-old males were randomly assigned within 4 experimental groups with a 2 × 2 factorial design, with (out) SB in the diet and with(out) a day 0 coccidia challenge using a 10× dose of a commercial vaccine. At day 7, oocysts per gram of feces were determined. At day 0, 14, 28, and 41, BW and feed consumption were measured. At day 21, 20 birds per treatment were subjectively scored for coccidia lesions, and jejunal histologic samples were collected for villi measurements. Twenty additional birds were given fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran to determine gut permeability. At day 41, 10 birds per treatment had histologic samples collected. Statistical analysis was conducted in JMP Pro 14 using GLM procedure to compare disease state and diet. Means were separated using Dunnett's test (P ≤ 0.05) with the nonchallenged standard diet treatment that is considered the control. All parameters measured indicated an effect due to the coccidia inoculation. Therefore, effects of diet on (non)challenged treatments were determined using a Student t test (P ≤ 0.05). Limited differences due to diet were seen for the nonchallenged production data. Sodium bisulfate had a thinner villi base width (P = 0.04) on day 21 and greater villi height (P = 0.03), smaller base width (P = 0.04), thicker muscularis (P = 0.03), and lower crypt: height ratio (P = 0.01) on day 41. Challenged SB had similar gut permeability to the nonchallenged control (P = 0.94) on day 21. There was no difference in flock uniformity, feed intake, oocysts per gram of feces, or lesion scores between challenged treatments. Challenged SB had greater BW on day 14 (P < 0.0001), 28 (P < 0.0001), and 41 (P = 0.02). Feed conversion ratio from day 0 to 14 was also lower (P = 0.0002). Challenged SB had smaller crypts (P = 0.02) and therefore a smaller crypt: height ratio (P = 0.03) on day 21. Challenged control had a larger apical width (P = 0.03) and thicker muscularis (P = 0.04) on day 41. Overall, the addition of SB during coccidial enteropathy aided in BW, feed conversion ratio, and villi health with no observed effects on parasite cycling.}, number={11}, journal={POULTRY SCIENCE}, author={Chadwick, Elle and Rahimi, Shaban and Grimes, Jesse and Pitts, John and Beckstead, Robert}, year={2020}, month={Nov}, pages={5324–5330} }
 @article{talghari_behnamifar_rahimi_torshizi_beckstead_grimes_2020, title={The effect of sodium bisulfate and coccidiostat on intestinal lesions and growth performance of Eimeria spp.-challenged broilers}, volume={99}, ISSN={["1525-3171"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.psj.2020.06.060}, abstractNote={Coccidiosis is a high-prevalence disease that annually entails huge costs for the poultry industry. Control of coccidiosis in poultry production is based on the use of coccidiostats and vaccines. However, along with the problem of drug resistance, there is a concern about food safety and drug residues in poultry products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sodium bisulfate (SBS) in comparison with monensin (M) and their combination (SBSM) effects on controlling coccidiosis in broilers. In a randomized design, 300 chickens (Ross 308) were divided into 5 treatments and 4 replications (15 birds per replicate). All birds, except the negative control (NC), were orally inoculated with 4 Eimeria species on 14 D of age. Treatments included were as follows: NC, an unsupplemented basal diet, nonchallenged; positive control, a basal diet unsupplemented, challenged with Eimeria spp; a basal diet supplemented with 5 g/kg of SBS; a basal diet supplemented with 1 g/kg of M; and a basal diet supplemented with 5 g/kg SBS and 1 g/kg M (SBSM). Oocyst shedding per gram (OPG) of the faecal sample from each experimental unit was counted on 5 to 14 D after inoculation. Two chicks from each experimental unit were euthanized to investigate intestinal lesions on day 5 after inoculation. The NC birds showed the highest BW gain and the lowest feed conversion ratio. The birds in the SBSM group had improved feed consumption compared with the M group in the prechallenge period (P < 0.05). All supplemented treatments resulted in a significant decrease in OPG. The M and SBSM treatments showed more efficacy than the SBS group (P < 0.05) in reducing OPG. There was a significant reduction in cecal lesions owing to supplementation with SBS, but the effect of SBS in the upper part of the intestine was lower than the M and SBSM groups (P < 0.05). Based on the results of this study, SBS has protective effects against coccidiosis in ceca, and the combination of M and SBS (SBSM) did not show any further improvement effect compared with M alone on the control of coccidiosis.}, number={10}, journal={POULTRY SCIENCE}, author={Talghari, Mariam and Behnamifar, Alireza and Rahimi, Shaban and Torshizi, Mohammad Amir Karimi and Beckstead, Robert and Grimes, Jesse L.}, year={2020}, month={Oct}, pages={4769–4775} }
 @article{chadwick_beckstead_2020, title={Two Blackhead Disease Outbreaks in Commercial Turkey Flocks Were Potentially Exacerbated by Poor Poult Quality and Coccidiosis}, volume={64}, ISSN={["1938-4351"]}, DOI={10.1637/aviandiseases-D20-00052}, abstractNote={Field visits at two different farms suggest a correlation between commercial turkey (Meleagridis gallopavo) flocks having increased mortality from blackhead disease (histomoniasis) if they suffer from poor poult quality at placement and coccidiosis (Eimeria spp.) before age 6 wk. In both cases, the flocks were all-in/all-out with curtain-sided houses and received a coccidiosis vaccine on day of hatch. At Farm I 2018, poults from different hatcheries were placed in two houses on the same farm (Houses 1 and 2). House 2 had poults considered poor quality and suffered from mortality associated with coccidiosis at 2 and 4 wk of age. At 8 wk, blackhead disease was diagnosed in both houses by postmortem examination. House 2 had mortality of >2000 poults, and the subpopulation of necropsied poults had gross lesions characteristic of histomoniasis. Gross lesions associated with blackhead disease were only found in eight poults in House 1, which was populated with good-quality poults and did not have a second spike in mortality due to coccidiosis. The Farm II 2020 poults were delivered from the same hatchery onto a three-house farm (Houses A, B, and C). House C had poults that were considered poor quality and had mortality associated with coccidiosis at 3 wk of age. At 8–9 wk, House C had mortality approaching 1000 birds, with all poults examined postmortem having clinical signs of blackhead disease. Houses A and B were populated with good-quality poults and had no diagnosed mortality from coccidiosis or blackhead disease. The similarity of these two cases suggest that poult quality at placement coupled with coccidiosis before 6 wk of age can influence the severity of blackhead disease in commercial turkey flocks.}, number={4}, journal={AVIAN DISEASES}, author={Chadwick, Elle and Beckstead, Robert}, year={2020}, month={Dec}, pages={522–524} }
 @article{sigmon_malheiros_anderson_payne_beckstead_2019, title={Blackhead Disease: Recovery of Layer Flock After Disease Challenge}, volume={28}, ISSN={1056-6171}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3382/japr/pfz029}, DOI={10.3382/japr/pfz029}, abstractNote={SUMMARY Blackhead disease, caused by the protozoan Histomonas meleagridis, is commonly found in layer pullets raised on the floor. We examined the effects of blackhead disease during the pullet-rearing period and on subsequent productivity during the first 8 wk of the laying cycle. Treatments were (1) uninfected controls and (2) H. meleagridis -infected pullets, with 4 replicate pens/treatment, 32 pullets/pen (Hy-LineW-36). Pullets in the challenge treatment were infected with H. meleagridis on day 18. Four birds/pen were necropsied on days 23 and 28 for lesion scores and day 176 for detection of H. meleagridis. Hens were moved to individual layer cages on day 120 and observed daily for feed consumption, date of first lay and egg production parameters. Pullets were positive for signs of blackhead disease in 83%–90% of infected birds necropsied on days 23 and 28, with average cecal lesion scores of 2.5 and 2.9. No liver lesions were observed. On day 176, 40% of infected birds were positive for H. meleagridis in the ceca. During the laying cycle, there were no significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between treatments in terms of date of first lay, hen-day egg production, egg weight, feed conversion, egg mass/hen, or other reproduction measurements. These results showed that while there was no long-term effect of blackhead infection on layer productivity under laboratory conditions, H. meleagridis persisted in the flock, providing a reservoir for infection.}, number={3}, journal={Journal of Applied Poultry Research}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Sigmon, C.S. and Malheiros, R.D. and Anderson, K.E. and Payne, J.A. and Beckstead, R.B.}, year={2019}, month={Sep}, pages={755–760} }
 @article{cupo_beckstead_2019, title={PCR detection of Heterakis gallinarum in environmental samples}, volume={271}, ISSN={["1873-2550"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.05.011}, abstractNote={Heterakis gallinarum is a widely distributed cecal nematode that parasitizes gallinaceous birds including chickens and turkeys. H. gallinarum infection poses a problem for the poultry industry as the nematode egg serves as a vector for the protozoan parasite, Histomonas meleagridis, the causative agent of histomonosis. The only means of detecting H. gallinarum in the environment is microscopic identification of the eggs in soil or feces; however, H. gallinarum eggs are often mistaken for those of Ascaridia galli. Three primer sets were designed from sequences cloned from the H. gallinarum genome to develop a diagnostic PCR. Each of these primer sets amplified a single product from H. gallinarum, but were unable to amplify DNA from H. meleagridis, Ascaridia galli, or Cestode sp. H. gallinarum DNA was amplified from Lumbricus sp. (earthworms) and Alphitobius diaperinus (darkling beetles), confirming that the earthworm acts as a paratenic host for H. gallinarum and suggesting that the darkling beetle may be a carrier for this nematode.}, journal={VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY}, author={Cupo, Katherine L. and Beckstead, Robert B.}, year={2019}, month={Jul}, pages={1–6} }
 @article{barrios_kenyon_beckstead_2017, title={Development of a Dry Medium for Isolation of Histomonas meleagridis in the Field}, volume={61}, ISSN={["1938-4351"]}, DOI={10.1637/11530-110816-resnote.1}, abstractNote={Blackhead disease is caused by Histomonas meleagridis, an anaerobic protozoan parasite, and results in mortality rates of up to 100% in turkeys and 30% in chickens. Outbreaks of blackhead disease are unpredictable, and the harvesting of H. meleagridis strains from the field would be a great resource for researchers to study its epidemiology. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a dry medium that would allow storage at ambient temperatures until needed. Fifty milliliters of horse serum was dried and then mixed with dry medium M199 with Hanks balanced salts (10.6 g), sodium bicarbonate (0.35 g), and rice powder (0.8 g). To test the ability of reconstituted medium to support growth of H. meleagridis, groups of 10 flasks containing 0.2 g of dry medium were stored for 24 hr at 25 and 60 C before testing. Other groups of flasks containing dry medium were stored at 25, 37, and 42 C for 1, 3, or 6 mo. At each test period, the flasks were reconstituted with 10 ml of water, inoculated with 100 000 H. meleagridis cells, and incubated at 40 C for 48 hr. Fresh liquid medium was used as a control. There were no differences in cell counts in medium stored at 25 or 60 C for 24 hr. After 1 mo, cell counts in reconstituted medium were about half that of fresh liquid medium after 48 hr of incubation. But after 3 and 6 mo, the cell counts were not significantly different in all groups (P < 0.05) after 72 hr of incubation. These results show that dried Dwyer medium can be stored at ambient temperatures for extended times and would be an effective tool for obtaining isolates of H. meleagridis from the field.}, number={2}, journal={AVIAN DISEASES}, author={Barrios, Miguel A. and Kenyon, Anna and Beckstead, Robert}, year={2017}, month={Jun}, pages={242–244} }
 @article{barrios_da costa_kimminau_fuller_clark_pesti_beckstead_2017, title={Relationship Between Broiler Body Weights, Eimeria maxima Gross Lesion Scores, and Microscores in Three Anticoccidial Sensitivity Tests}, volume={61}, ISSN={["1938-4351"]}, DOI={10.1637/11518-102116-reg.1}, abstractNote={Anticoccidial sensitivity tests (ASTs) serve to determine the efficacy of anticoccidial drugs against Eimeria field isolates in a controlled laboratory setting. The most commonly measured parameters are body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, gross intestinal lesion scores, and mortality. Due to the difficulty in reliably scoring gross lesion scores of Eimeria maxima , microscopic analysis of intestinal scrapings (microscores) can be used in the field to indicate the presence of this particular Eimeria. The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between E. maxima microscores and broiler body weights and gross E. maxima lesion scores in three ASTs. Day-old broiler chicks were raised for 12 days on a standard corn-soy diet. On Day 12, chicks were placed in Petersime batteries and treatment diets were provided. There were six birds per pen, four pens per treatment, and 12 treatments, for a total of 288 chicks per AST. The treatments were as follows: 1) nonmedicated, noninfected; 2) nonmedicated, infected; 3) lasalocid, infected; 4) salinomycin, infected; 5) diclazuril, infected; 6) monensin, infected; 7) decoquinate, infected; 8) narasin + nicarbazin, infected; 9) narasin, infected; 10) nicarbazin, infected; 11) robenidine, infected; and 12) zoalene, infected. On Day 14, chicks were challenged with an Eimeria field isolate by oral gavage. On Day 20, broilers were weighed, and gross lesion scores and microscores were classified from 0 to 4 depending on the severity of the gross lesion scores and E. maxima microscores. Data from three trials using different field isolates were statistically analyzed using a logarithmic regression model. There was no relationship (P = 0.1224) between microscores and body weight gain. There was a positive relationship between microscores and gross lesion scores (P = 0.004). However, there was also an interaction between isolate and treatment (P < 0.0001). Lastly, the interaction between isolate and gross lesion scores (P = 0.0041) demonstrates that the significance of the relationship between microscores and gross lesion scores may be dependent on pathogenicity of the challenge Eimeria or the amount of E. maxima in the inoculum.}, number={2}, journal={AVIAN DISEASES}, author={Barrios, Miguel A. and Da Costa, Manuel and Kimminau, Emily and Fuller, Lorraine and Clark, Steven and Pesti, Gene and Beckstead, Robert}, year={2017}, month={Jun}, pages={237–241} }
 @article{venkatesan_rajapaksha_payne_goodfellow_wang_kawabata_tabata_stice_beckstead_liu_2016, title={Distribution of α-Gustducin and Vimentin in premature and mature taste buds in chickens}, volume={479}, ISSN={0006-291X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.BBRC.2016.09.064}, DOI={10.1016/J.BBRC.2016.09.064}, abstractNote={The sensory organs for taste in chickens (Gallus sp.) are taste buds in the oral epithelium of the palate, base of the oral cavity, and posterior tongue. Although there is not a pan-taste cell marker that labels all chicken taste bud cells, α-Gustducin and Vimentin each label a subpopulation of taste bud cells. In the present study, we used both α-Gustducin and Vimentin to further characterize chicken taste buds at the embryonic and post-hatching stages (E17-P5). We found that both α-Gustducin and Vimentin label distinct and overlapping populations of, but not all, taste bud cells. A-Gustducin immunosignals were observed as early as E18 and were consistently distributed in early and mature taste buds in embryos and hatchlings. Vimentin immunoreactivity was initially sparse at the embryonic stages then became apparent in taste buds after hatch. In hatchlings, α-Gustducin and Vimentin immunosignals largely co-localized in taste buds. A small subset of taste bud cells were labeled by either α-Gustducin or Vimentin or were not labeled. Importantly, each of the markers was observed in all of the examined taste buds. Our data suggest that the early onset of α-Gustducin in taste buds might be important for enabling chickens to respond to taste stimuli immediately after hatch and that distinctive population of taste bud cells that are labeled by different molecular markers might represent different cell types or different phases of taste bud cells. Additionally, α-Gustducin and Vimentin can potentially be used as molecular markers of all chicken taste buds in whole mount tissue.}, number={2}, journal={Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Venkatesan, Nandakumar and Rajapaksha, Prasangi and Payne, Jason and Goodfellow, Forrest and Wang, Zhonghou and Kawabata, Fuminori and Tabata, Shoji and Stice, Steven and Beckstead, Robert and Liu, Hong-Xiang}, year={2016}, month={Oct}, pages={305–311} }
 @article{rajapaksha_wang_venkatesan_tehrani_payne_swetenburg_kawabata_tabata_mortensen_stice_et al._2016, title={Labeling and analysis of chicken taste buds using molecular markers in oral epithelial sheets}, volume={6}, ISSN={2045-2322}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/SREP37247}, DOI={10.1038/SREP37247}, abstractNote={Abstract In chickens, the sensory organs for taste are the taste buds in the oral cavity, of which there are ~240–360 in total number as estimated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There is not an easy way to visualize all taste buds in chickens. Here, we report a highly efficient method for labeling chicken taste buds in oral epithelial sheets using the molecular markers Vimentin and α-Gustducin. Immediate tissue fixation following incubation with sub-epithelially injected proteases enabled us to peel off whole epithelial sheets, leaving the shape and integrity of the tissue intact. In the peeled epithelial sheets, taste buds labeled with antibodies against Vimentin and α-Gustducin were easily identified and counted under a light microscope and many more taste buds, patterned in rosette-like clusters, were found than previously reported with SEM. Broiler-type, female-line males have more taste buds than other groups and continue to increase the number of taste buds over stages after hatch. In addition to ovoid-shaped taste buds, big tube-shaped taste buds were observed in the chicken using 2-photon microscopy. Our protocol for labeling taste buds with molecular markers will factilitate future mechanistic studies on the development of chicken taste buds in association with their feeding behaviors.}, number={1}, journal={Scientific Reports}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Rajapaksha, Prasangi and Wang, Zhonghou and Venkatesan, Nandakumar and Tehrani, Kayvan F. and Payne, Jason and Swetenburg, Raymond L. and Kawabata, Fuminori and Tabata, Shoji and Mortensen, Luke J. and Stice, Steven L. and et al.}, year={2016}, month={Nov} }
 @article{goodson_beckstead_payne_singh_mohan_2015, title={Amino acid sequence of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) and northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) myoglobin}, volume={181}, ISSN={0308-8146}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.FOODCHEM.2015.02.091}, DOI={10.1016/J.FOODCHEM.2015.02.091}, abstractNote={Myoglobin has an important physiological role in vertebrates, and as the primary sarcoplasmic pigment in meat, influences quality perception and consumer acceptability. In this study, the amino acid sequences of Japanese quail and northern bobwhite myoglobin were deduced by cDNA cloning of the coding sequence from mRNA. Japanese quail myoglobin was isolated from quail cardiac muscles, purified using ammonium sulphate precipitation and gel-filtration, and subjected to multiple enzymatic digestions. Mass spectrometry corroborated the deduced protein amino acid sequence at the protein level. Sequence analysis revealed both species' myoglobin structures consist of 153 amino acids, differing at only three positions. When compared with chicken myoglobin, Japanese quail showed 98% sequence identity, and northern bobwhite 97% sequence identity. The myoglobin in both quail species contained eight histidine residues instead of the nine present in chicken and turkey.}, journal={Food Chemistry}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Goodson, John and Beckstead, Robert B. and Payne, Jason and Singh, Rakesh K. and Mohan, Anand}, year={2015}, month={Aug}, pages={256–262} }
 @article{rumpf_bagley_thompson-peer_zhu_gorczyca_beckstead_jan_jan_2014, title={Drosophila Valosin-Containing Protein is required for dendrite pruning through a regulatory role in mRNA metabolism}, volume={111}, ISSN={0027-8424 1091-6490}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/PNAS.1406898111}, DOI={10.1073/PNAS.1406898111}, abstractNote={Significance The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) is required for Drosophila class IV dendritic arborization neuron dendrite pruning. We found that mutants in the ubiquitylation machinery, the ubiquitin-dependent chaperone Valosin-Containing Protein ( VCP ), and the 19S regulatory particle of the proteasome—but not the 20S core particle—showed defects in pruning gene expression and mislocalization or overexpression of specific mRNA-binding proteins. In the case of VCP inhibition, we were able to detect a specific change in the splicing pattern of a pruning gene that likely contributes to pruning defects. A link between VCP and mRNA-binding proteins had been observed in the context of human neurodegenerative disease. This study implicates a specific function of VCP and ubiquitin in mRNA metabolism.}, number={20}, journal={Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences}, publisher={Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences}, author={Rumpf, S. and Bagley, J. A. and Thompson-Peer, K. L. and Zhu, S. and Gorczyca, D. and Beckstead, R. B. and Jan, L. Y. and Jan, Y. N.}, year={2014}, month={May}, pages={7331–7336} }
 @article{jordan_vogel_stark_beckstead_2014, title={Expression of green fluorescent protein in the chicken using in vivo transfection of the piggyBac transposon}, volume={173}, ISSN={0168-1656}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.JBIOTEC.2014.01.016}, DOI={10.1016/J.JBIOTEC.2014.01.016}, abstractNote={The chicken is a well-established model system for studying developmental biology and is recognized as one of the top food production animals in the world. For this reason the chicken is an excellent candidate for transgenic applications, as the technology can be applied to both areas of research. Transgenic technology has not been broadly utilized in the chicken model, however, primarily due to difficulties in targeting germ cells and establishing germ line transmission. Transgenic technologies using non-replicating viral particles have been used in the chick, but are unsuitable for many applications because of size and sequence restraints and low efficiency. To create a more versatile method to target chick germ line stem cells, we utilized the transposable element system piggyBac paired with an in vivo transfection reagent, JetPEI. piggyBac has been previously shown to be highly active in mammalian cells and will transpose into the chicken genome. Here, we show that JetPEI can transfect multiple chick cell types, most notably germline stem cells. We also show that pairing these two reagents is a viable and reproducible method for long-term expression of a transgene in the chicken. Stable expression of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene was seen in multiple tissue types including heart, brain, liver, intestine, kidney and gonad. Combining an in vivo transfection strategy with the PB system provides a simple and flexible method for efficiently producing stable chimeric birds and could be used for production of germ line transgenics.}, journal={Journal of Biotechnology}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Jordan, Brian J. and Vogel, Seth and Stark, Michael R. and Beckstead, Robert B.}, year={2014}, month={Mar}, pages={86–89} }
 @article{ecco_preis_vilela_luppi_malta_beckstead_stimmelmayr_gerhold_2013, title={Corrigendum to “Molecular confirmation of Trichomonas gallinae and other parabasalids from Brazil using the 5.8S and ITS-1 rRNA regions” [Vet. Parasitol. 190 (1–2) (2012) 36–42]}, volume={196}, ISSN={0304-4017}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.VETPAR.2013.04.019}, DOI={10.1016/J.VETPAR.2013.04.019}, abstractNote={a Departamento de Clinica e Cirurgia Veterinarias, Escola de Veterinaria, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil b Fundacao Zoo-Botânica de Belo Horizonte, Av. Otacilio Negrao de Lima 8000, 31365-450 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil c Department of Poultry Sciences, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA d Department of Wildlife Management, North Slope Borough, P.O. Box 69, Barrow, AK 99723, USA e Center for Wildlife Health, Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN, USA}, number={3-4}, journal={Veterinary Parasitology}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Ecco, Roselene and Preis, Ingred S. and Vilela, Daniel A.R. and Luppi, Marcela M. and Malta, Marcelo C.C. and Beckstead, Robert B. and Stimmelmayr, Raphaela and Gerhold, Richard W.}, year={2013}, month={Sep}, pages={552} }
 @article{ecco_preis_vilela_luppi_malta_beckstead_stimmelmayer_gerhold_2012, title={Molecular confirmation of Trichomonas gallinae and other parabasalids from Brazil using the 5.8S and ITS-1 rRNA regions}, volume={190}, ISSN={0304-4017}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.05.029}, DOI={10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.05.029}, abstractNote={Clinical, gross, and histopathology lesions and molecular characterization of Trichomonas spp. infection were described in two striped owls (Asio (Rhinoptynx) clamator), one American kestrel (Falco sparverius), two green-winged saltators (Saltator similis), and in a toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) from Brazil. These birds presented clinical signs including emaciation, ruffled feathers, abundant salivation and open mouth breathing presumably due to abundant caseous material. Gross lesions were characterized by multifocal yellow friable plaques on the surface of the tongue, pharynx and/or caseous masses partially occluding the laryngeal entrance. In the owls, the caseous material extended into the mandibular muscles and invaded the sinuses of the skull. Histopathologically, marked necrotic and inflammatory lesions were associated with numerous round to oval, pale eosinophilic structures (6-10μm) with basophilic nuclei, consistent with trichomonads. Organisms similar to those described above also were found in the liver of the two green-winged saltators. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of trichomonosis in a striped owl and a toco toucan. Sequence analysis of the Trichomonas spp. internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) region and partial 5.8S of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) disclosed significant genetic diversity. Two sequences had 100% identity to Trichomonas gallinae, whereas two sequences had a 99% and 92% identity to a Trichomonas vaginalis-like sequence, respectively. One sequence (green-winged saltator 502-08) had a 100% identity to a newly recognized genus Simplicomonas.}, number={1-2}, journal={Veterinary Parasitology}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Ecco, Roselene and Preis, Ingred S. and Vilela, Daniel A.R. and Luppi, Marcela M. and Malta, Marcelo C.C. and Beckstead, Robert B. and Stimmelmayer, Raphaela and Gerhold, Richard W.}, year={2012}, month={Nov}, pages={36–42} }
 @article{ritter_beckstead_2010, title={Sox14 is required for transcriptional and developmental responses to 20-hydroxyecdysone at the onset of drosophila metamorphosis}, volume={239}, ISSN={1058-8388}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.22407}, DOI={10.1002/dvdy.22407}, abstractNote={The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), by means of a heterodimer consisting of two nuclear receptors, the Ecdysone receptor (EcR) and Ultraspiracle (Usp), triggers the major developmental transitions in the Drosophila life cycle through the regulation of genetic hierarchies. We have previously demonstrated that the Sox14 transcription factor is a primary response gene to 20E/EcR/Usp complex. In this study, we show that mutations in sox14 result in prepupal and pupal lethality with animals displaying a multitude of defects in 20E developmentally regulated pathways. In addition, through Northern blot and microarray analyses of sox14 mutant animals, we demonstrate that Sox14 is required for the proper expression of 20E- and non–20E-regulated genes at the onset of metamorphosis. We also show that the Sox14-regulated gene set correlates well with Sox14 expression in a variety of larval and adult tissues. Thus, Sox14 is a critical transcription factor required for 20E signaling at the onset of metamorphosis. Developmental Dynamics 239:2685–2694, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.}, number={10}, journal={Developmental Dynamics}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Ritter, Amanda R. and Beckstead, Robert B.}, year={2010}, month={Aug}, pages={2685–2694} }
 @article{banerjee_bainton_mayer_beckstead_bhat_2008, title={Septate junctions are required for ommatidial integrity and blood–eye barrier function in Drosophila}, volume={317}, ISSN={0012-1606}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2008.03.007}, DOI={10.1016/j.ydbio.2008.03.007}, abstractNote={The anatomical organization of the Drosophila ommatidia is achieved by specification and contextual placement of photoreceptors, cone and pigment cells. The photoreceptors must be sealed from high ionic concentrations of the hemolymph by a barrier to allow phototransduction. In vertebrates, a blood–retinal barrier (BRB) is established by tight junctions (TJs) present in the retinal pigment epithelium and endothelial membrane of the retinal vessels. In Drosophila ommatidia, the junctional organization and barrier formation is poorly understood. Here we report that septate junctions (SJs), the vertebrate analogs of TJs, are present in the adult ommatidia and are formed between and among the cone and pigment cells. We show that the localization of Neurexin IV (Nrx IV), a SJ-specific protein, coincides with the location of SJs in the cone and pigment cells. Somatic mosaic analysis of nrx IV null mutants shows that loss of Nrx IV leads to defects in ommatidial morphology and integrity. nrx IV hypomorphic allelic combinations generated viable adults with defective SJs and displayed a compromised blood–eye barrier (BEB) function. These findings establish that SJs are essential for ommatidial integrity and in creating a BEB around the ion and light sensitive photoreceptors. Our studies may provide clues towards understanding the vertebrate BEB formation and function.}, number={2}, journal={Developmental Biology}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Banerjee, Swati and Bainton, Roland J. and Mayer, Nasima and Beckstead, Robert and Bhat, Manzoor A.}, year={2008}, month={May}, pages={585–599} }
 @article{mcbrayer_ono_shimell_parvy_beckstead_warren_thummel_dauphin-villemant_gilbert_o'connor_2007, title={Prothoracicotropic Hormone Regulates Developmental Timing and Body Size in Drosophila}, volume={13}, ISSN={1534-5807}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2007.11.003}, DOI={10.1016/j.devcel.2007.11.003}, abstractNote={In insects, control of body size is intimately linked to nutritional quality as well as environmental and genetic cues that regulate the timing of developmental transitions. Prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) has been proposed to play an essential role in regulating the production and/or release of ecdysone, a steroid hormone that stimulates molting and metamorphosis. In this report, we examine the consequences on Drosophila development of ablating the PTTH-producing neurons. Surprisingly, PTTH production is not essential for molting or metamorphosis. Instead, loss of PTTH results in delayed larval development and eclosion of larger flies with more cells. Prolonged feeding, without changing the rate of growth, causes the overgrowth and is a consequence of low ecdysteroid titers. These results indicate that final body size in insects is determined by a balance between growth-rate regulators such as insulin and developmental timing cues such as PTTH that set the duration of the feeding interval.}, number={6}, journal={Developmental Cell}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={McBrayer, Zofeyah and Ono, Hajime and Shimell, MaryJane and Parvy, Jean-Philippe and Beckstead, Robert B. and Warren, James T. and Thummel, Carl S. and Dauphin-Villemant, Chantal and Gilbert, Lawrence I. and O'Connor, Michael B.}, year={2007}, month={Dec}, pages={857–871} }
 @article{beckstead_lam_thummel_2007, title={Specific transcriptional responses to juvenile hormone and ecdysone in Drosophila}, volume={37}, ISSN={0965-1748}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2007.03.001}, DOI={10.1016/j.ibmb.2007.03.001}, abstractNote={Previous studies have shown that ecdysone (E), and its immediate downstream product 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), can have different biological functions in insects, suggesting that E acts as a distinct hormone. Here, we use Drosophila larval organ culture in combination with microarray technology to identify genes that are transcriptionally regulated by E, but which show little or no response to 20E. These genes are coordinately expressed for a brief temporal interval at the onset of metamorphosis, suggesting that E acts together with 20E to direct puparium formation. We also show that E74B, pepck, and CG14949 can be induced by juvenile hormone III (JH III) in organ culture, and that CG14949 can be induced by JH independently of protein synthesis. In contrast, E74A and E75A show no response to JH in this system. These studies demonstrate that larval organ culture can be used to identify Drosophila genes that are regulated by hormones other than 20E, and provide a basis for studying crosstalk between multiple hormone signaling pathways.}, number={6}, journal={Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Beckstead, Robert B. and Lam, Geanette and Thummel, Carl S.}, year={2007}, month={Jun}, pages={570–578} }
 @article{beckstead_thummel_2006, title={Indicted: Worms Caught using Steroids}, volume={124}, ISSN={0092-8674}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2006.03.001}, DOI={10.1016/j.cell.2006.03.001}, abstractNote={Three recent papers provide new insights into endocrinology in the worm Caenorhabditis elegans. These studies identify natural steroid ligands for the DAF-12 nuclear receptor, define a new enzyme in the hormone biosynthetic pathway, and clarify the role of endocrine signaling in adult longevity.}, number={6}, journal={Cell}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Beckstead, Robert B. and Thummel, Carl S.}, year={2006}, month={Mar}, pages={1137–1140} }