| Morphogenesis of the Bacillus anthracis Spore |
FEB 2007 |
17 pages |
| Authors:
Rebecca Giorno; Joel Bozue; Christopher Cote; Theresa Wenzel; Krishna-Sulayman Moody; Michael Mallozzi; Matthew Ryan; Rong Wang; Ryszard Zielke; Arthur Friedlander; LOYOLA UNIV MEDICAL CENTER MAYWOOD IL
|
 | Bacillus spp. and Clostridium spp. form a specialized cell type, called a spore, during a multistep differentiation process that is initiated in response to starvation. Spores are protected by a morphologically complex protein coat. The Bacillus anthracis coat is of particular interest because the spore is the infective particle of anthrax. We determined the roles of several B. anthracis orthologues of Bacillus subtilis coat protein genes in spore assembly and ... |
|
| Structural Studies on Intact Clostridium botulinum Neurotoxins Complexed with Inhibitors Leading to Drug Design |
FEB 2007 |
17 pages |
| Authors:
S. Swaminathan; BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LAB UPTON NY
|
| This is the fifth annual report under the no cost extension period. In this period we have completed the BoNT/B light chain (full length) structure and the manuscript is ready for submission. The virtual screening of inhibitors with BoNT/E light chain was reported in the last report and we are continuing on that. Due to lack of personnel our plan to continue the same with BoNT/B and A light chains ... |
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| Microarray Analysis of Transposon Insertion Mutants in Bacillus Anthracis: Global Identification of Genes Required for Sporulation and Germination |
FEB 2007 |
7 pages |
| Authors:
Jr. Day William A.; Suzanne L. Rasmussen; Beth M. Carpenter; Scott N. Peterson; Arthur M. Friedlander; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD
|
| A transposon site hybridization (TraSH) assay was developed for functional analysis of the B. anthracis genome using a mini-Tn10 transposon which permitted analysis of 82% of the pathogen's genes. The system, used to identify genes required for generation of the infectious anthrax spore, spore germination and optimal growth on rich medium, was predictive of the contribution of two conserved hypothetical genes for the phenotypes examined. |
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| Genetic Diversity Among Botulinum Neurotoxin-Producing Clostridial Strains |
FEB 2007 |
17 pages |
| Authors:
K. K. Hill; T. J. Smith; C. H. Helma; L. O. Ticknor; B. T. Foley; R. T. Svensson; J. L. Brown; E. A. Johnson; L. A. Smith; R. T. Okinaka; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD
|
| Clostridium botulinum is a taxonomic designation for many diverse anaerobic spore-forming rod-shaped bacteria which have the common property of producing botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs). The BoNTs are exoneurotoxins that can cause severe paralysis and death in humans and other animal species. A collection of 174 C. botulinum strains was examined by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis and by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and BoNT genes to examine genetic ... |
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| Mitigation of Threats to the Continuation of Marine Recruit Training Posed by a Category 4/5 Influenza Pandemic |
29 JAN 2007 |
21 pages |
| Authors:
Clete DiGiovanni; Arnold S. Monto; John D. Malone; DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY FORT BELVOIR VA
|
| The challenges to continuity of recruit training during a Category 4/5 influenza pandemic are so formidable, and the non- pharmaceutical interventions to counter them so limited, complicated, and prone to error in implementation that we reluctantly conclude that the most sensible course, in the absence of an effective vaccine or reliable and safe antiviral prophylaxis, may be to rely on personnel actions other than recruit input to maintain force levels ... |
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| The Prioritization of Critical Infrastructure for a Pandemic Outbreak in the United States Working Group |
16-Jan-2007 |
130 pages |
| Authors:
Rebecca F Denlinger; Martha H Marsh; Bruce A Rohde; NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
|
| Though its timing, severity, and ultimate strain remain a mystery, a pandemic promises to test the critical infrastructure of both the United States and the world. Public health officials have long maintained the potential for pandemic influenza is not a matter of if, but rather a matter of when. To avoid an economic and social catastrophe, pandemic preparedness demands full public- and private-sector participation. With that in mind, U.S. Department ... |
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| Rapid Precipitation of Amorphous Silica in Experimental Systems with Nontronite (NAu-1) and Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 |
15 JAN 2007 |
16 pages |
| Authors:
Yoko Furukawa; S. E. O'Reilly; NAVAL RESEARCH LAB STENNIS SPACE CENTER MS SEAFLOOR SCIENCES DIRECTORATE
|
| Nanometer-size ( |
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| Bacteroides Fragilis OMP A: Utility as a Live Vaccine Vector for Biodefense Agents |
01 JAN 2007 |
17 pages |
| Authors:
Hannah M. Wexler; BRENTWOOD BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INST LOS ANGELES CA
|
| We are studying the utility of using B.fragilis OmpA as a vehicle on which to put antigenic epitopes of organisms that can be used as bioterror agents, with the aim of eventually constructing a vaccine vehicle vector. OmpA is the major outer membrane protein of B. fragilis, a gram negative anaerobe that normally resides in the gut. There are four homologs for ompA in the genome. The purpose of this ... |
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| DNA Vaccination of the American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) Provides Partial Protection Against Lethal Challenge with West Nile Virus |
01 JAN 2007 |
7 pages |
| Authors:
Michel L. Bunning; Patricia E. Fox; Richard A. Bowen; Nicholas Komar; Gwong-Jen J. Chang; Tully J. Speaker; Michael R. Stephens; Nicole Nemeth; Nicholas A. Panella; Stanley A. Langevin; Paul Gordy; Max Teehee; Patricia R. Bright; Michael J. Turell; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD VIROLOGY DIV
|
| The New York 1999 strain of West Nile virus (WNV) is nearly 100% fatal in the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). We evaluated four WNV vaccine formulations in American crows, including intramuscular (i.m.) DNA vaccine, i.m. DNA vaccine with adjuvant, orally administered microencapsulated DNA vaccine, and i.m. killed vaccine. Neutralizing antibodies developed in approximately 80% of crows that received the DNA vaccine i.m. (with or without adjuvant), and in 44% that ... |
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| Perturbation by UV Light for Rapid Classification of Biological Particles by Fluorescence |
JAN 2007 |
30 pages |
| Authors:
Burt V. Bronk; Jozsef Czege; Zhao Z. Li; Karl S. Booksh; Jeff Cramer; AIR FORCE RESEARCH LAB HUMAN EFFECTIVENESS DIR ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD OPERATIONAL TOXICOLOGY BRANCH
|
| Some time ago investigations were initiated into the fluorescence of calcium dipicolinic acid (CaDPA) to improve detection of bacterial endospores. Although the native chemical, CaDPA, fluoresced very weakly, the application of UV irradiation to CaDPA or DPA caused substantial blue-violet emission when excitation is applied later. Further investigation demonstrated a similar phenomenon for dry and wet endospores. The luminescence excitation-emission (Ex-Em or EEM) pattern of vegetative bacteria of various Bacilli ... |
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| Smallpox Antiviral Drug |
JAN 2007 |
56 pages |
| Authors:
Dennis E. Hruby; SIGA TECHNOLOGIES INC CORVALLIS OR
|
| Using a homology-based bioinformatics approach a new structural model of the vaccinia virus (VV) I7L proteinase active site has been generated. This model was used to perform Virtual Ligand Screening of a comprehensive library of approximately 3.5 million available compounds including about 208,000 available ketones and aldehydes. Compounds with a docking score of |
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| Formulated Delivery of Enzyme/Prodrug and Cytokine Gene Therapy to Promote Immune Reduction of Treated and Remote Tumors in Mouse Models of Prostate Cancer |
JAN 2007 |
127 pages |
| Authors:
Pamela J. Russell; Aparajita Khatri; Yasmin Husaini; Jane Chapman; NEW SOUTH WALES UNIV SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA)
|
| Prostate cancer is the second highest cause of cancer death in men in Western society. Early disease is treatable by surgery or radiation but once late stage disease becomes refractory to hormone removal patient care is limited to pain management. New treatments are needed. We use gene therapy alone and in combination with hormones called cytokines that stimulate the immune system. The concept is that delivering a cell-killing agent to ... |
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| Microbial Reduction of Structural Fe3+ in Nontronite by a Thermophilic Bacterium and its Role in Promoting the Smectite to Illite Reaction |
Jan-2007 |
10 pages |
| Authors:
Hailiang Dong; Jinwook Kim; Gengxin Zhang; D D Eberl; NAVAL RESEARCH LAB STENNIS SPACE CENTER MS SEAFLOOR SCIENCES DIRECTORATE
|
| The illitization process of Fe-rich smectite (nontronite NAu-2) promoted by microbial reduction of structural Fe(1*) was investigated by using a thermophilic metal-reducing bacterium, Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus, isolated from the deep subsurface. T. ethanolicus was incubated with lactate as the sole electron donor and structural Fe(1*) in nontronite as the sole electron acceptor, and anthraquinone-2, 6- disulfonate (AQDS) as an electron shuttle in a growth medium (pH 6.2 and 9.2, 65 deg ... |
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| Microbial Effects in Promoting the Smectite to Illite Reaction: Role of Organic Matter Intercalated in the Interlayer |
Jan-2007 |
11 pages |
| Authors:
Hailiang Dong; Jinwook Kim; Gengxin Zhang; Andre J Sommer; MIAMI UNIV OXFORD OH
|
| Cysteine and toluene as model organic molecules were intercalated into Fe-rich smectite (nontronile, NAu-2). The illitization of these intercalated smectites as induced by microbial reduction of structural Fe(3+) was investigated. Iron-reducing bacterium Shewanella putrefaciens CN32 was incubated with lactate as the sole electron donor and structural Fe(3+) in cysteine- and toluene-intercalated NAu-2 (referred to as cysteine-NAu-2 and toluene-NAu-2 hereafter) as the sole electron acceptor. Anthraquinone- 2, 6-disulfonate (AQDS) was used ... |
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| Comparison of Five Commercial DNA Extraction Kits for the Recovery of Francisella Tularensis DNA from Spiked Soil Samples |
2007 |
|
| Authors:
Chris A. Whitehouse; Hannah E. Hottel; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD
|
 | Francisella tularensis is the etiologic agent of the zoonotic disease tularemia and is thought to be maintained in the environment principally by various terrestrial and aquatic vertebrate animals. The organism is known to persist in water or mud for long periods of time and Francisella-specific DNA has been identified from water and soil. To gain a better understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of F. tularensis, it will be important ... |
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| Microbial Reduction of Chromium from the Hexavalent to Divalent State |
2007 |
11 pages |
| Authors:
Tyrone L. Daulton; Brenda J. Little; Joanne Jones-Meehan; Douglas A. Blom; Lawrence F. Allard; NAVAL RESEARCH LAB STENNIS SPACE CENTER MS OCEANOGRAPHY DIV
|
| We demonstrate that Shewanella oneidensis, a metal-reducing bacteria species with cytoplasmic-membrane-bound reductases and remarkably diverse respiratory capabilities, reduced Cr(VI) to Cr(II) in anaerobic cultures where chromate was the sole terminal electron acceptor. Individual cell microanalysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) demonstrates Cr(II) concentrated near the cytoplasmic membrane, suggesting the terminal reduction pathway is intracellularly localized. Further, estimated cellular Cr(II) ... |
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| Development of a TaqMan(R)-Minor Groove Binding Protein Assay for the Detection and Quantification of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus |
2007 |
8 pages |
| Authors:
A. R. Garrison; S. Alakbarova; D. A. Kulesh; D. Shezmukhamedova; S. Khodjaev; T.P. Endy; J. Paragas; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD VIROLOGY DIV
|
| Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne virus of the genus Nairovirus and the family Bunyaviridae. It is a negative-strand RNA virus comprised of small (S), medium (M), and large (L) genome segments. The S segment encodes for nucleocapsid protein, the M segment codes for envelope glycoproteins (Gn and Gc), and the L segment codes for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Currently, there are a limited number of methods for ... |
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| Detection of the Host Immune Response to Burkholderia mallei Heat-Shock Proteins GroEL and DnaK in a Glanders Patient and Infected Mice |
2007 |
12 pages |
| Authors:
Kei Amemiya; Jennifer L. Meyers; David DeShazer; Renaldo N. Riggins; Stephanie Halasohoris; Marilyn England; Wilson Ribot; Sarah L. Norris; David M. Waag; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD
|
| We examined, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis, the host immune response to 2 heat-shock proteins (hsps) in a patient and mice previously infected with Burkholderia mallei. The patient was the first reported human glanders case in 50 years in the United States. The expression of the groEL and dnaK operons appeared to be dependent upon a sigma(32) RNA polymerase as suggested by conserved heat-shock promoter sequences, and ... |
|
| Purification and Protective Efficacy of Monomeric and Modified Yersina pestis Capsular F1-V Antigen Fusion Proteins for Vaccination Against Plague |
31 DEC 2006 |
19 pages |
| Authors:
Jeremy L. Goodin; David F. Nellis; Bradford S. Powell; Vinay V. Vyas; Jeffrey T. Enama; Lena C. Wang; Patrick K. Clark; Steven L. Giardina; Jeffrey J. Adamovicz; Dennis F. Michiel; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD
|
| The F1-V vaccine antigen, protective against Yersinia pestis, exhibits a strong tendency to multimerize that affects larger-scale manufacture and characterization. In this work, the sole F1-V cysteine was replaced with serine by site-directed mutagenesis to enable characterization of F1-V non-covalent multimer interactions and protective potency without participation by covalent disulfide-linkages. F1-V and F1-VC424S proteins were over-expressed in Escherichia coli, recovered using mechanical lysis/pH-modulation and purified from urea-solubilized soft inclusion bodies, ... |
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| Evaluation of a DNA Vaccine Specific for the 54 kDa Protective Antigen of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae |
31-Dec-2006 |
7 pages |
| Authors:
Bobby L Middlebrooks; UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI HATTIESBURG
|
| The work described in this report is based on discussion with Dr. Linda Chrisey following the catastrophic loss of reagents and samples as a consequence of the effects of Hurricane Katrina. The work is a full departure from the previously approved and funded research, which for both practical reasons (related to loss of reagents as a result of the hurricane), and for programmatic reasons (reflecting changes in personnel and reduced ... |
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| Impact of a Hydrate-Based Marine Desalination Technology on Marine Microbiota and Water Quality |
27 DEC 2006 |
22 pages |
| Authors:
Richard B. Coffin; Michael T. Montgomery; Christopher L. Osburn; NAVAL RESEARCH LAB WASHINGTON DC CHEMICAL DYNAMICS AND DIAGNOSTICS BRANCH
|
| Marine Desalination Systems (MDS) is currently developing new technology in gas hydrate formation to supply potable water. To scale this technology to support different country needs there is a requirement to assess the environmental impact of desalination. The NRL MDS collaboration on biological influence of marine desalination focuses on water quality of processed water and environmental impact of the marine desalination application. With this segment of the project accomplished, the ... |
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| Assessing the Ability of Hyperspectral Data to Detect Lyngbya SPP.: A Potential Biological Indicator for Presence of Metal Objects in the Littoral Environment |
DEC 2006 |
261 pages |
| Authors:
James R. Blankenship; NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA
|
| The aquatic filamentous bacteria (Cyanobacterium) Lyngbya majuscula is a nitrogen-fixer found in coastal waters often attached or adjacent to sea grass, algae and coral. It is characterized by phycobiliproteins, unique pigments found only in cyanobacteria. To sustain photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation, L. majuscula requires iron proteins and is therefore sensitive to the availability of this metal. The hypothesis tested in this study concerns the potential use of hyperspectral imaging in ... |
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| Rational Design of Therapeutic and Diagnostic Against Botulinum Neurotoxin |
DEC 2006 |
|
| Authors:
N. W. Chan; Y. Wang; C. C. Tenn; Ten Weiss; J. R. Hancock; C. L. Chenler; W. E. Lee; T. Dickinson-Laing; J. Yin; M. G. Gebremedhin; D. C. Mah; DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUFFIELD (ALBERTA)
|
| In September 2006, several cases of botulinum poisoning were reported in United States and Canada due to consumption of commercial organic carrot juice. This incident led to the hospitalization of several individuals who received intensive ventilator support. In spite of botulinum neurotoxin being the most poisonous material, little is known about its mechanism of binding, effective drugs are lacking, and correct diagnosis of botulinum poisoning is slow. Fast and accurate ... |
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| Generation of Constructs for DNA-Directed RNA Interference of Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Genes |
DEC 2006 |
|
| Authors:
H. S. Bhogal; S. J. Jager; L. J. McLaws; DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUFFIELD (ALBERTA)
|
| Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus is an important human and veterinary pathogen with n6 effective treatment or prophiaxis. One strategy that has shown promise as an anti viral is a mechanism of gene silencing known as RNA interference. Although conventional RNA interference involves the use of dsRNA molecules, here we describe the generation of a panel of DNA cassettes which encode sIRNA sequences. Three different VEE virus genes encoding E2 ... |
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| Gene Knockdown of Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus E2 Glycoprotein Using DNA-Directed RNA Interference |
DEC 2006 |
|
| Authors:
H. S. Bhogal; L. J. McLaws; S. J. Jager; DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUFFIELD (ALBERTA)
|
| Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus is an important veterinary and human pathogen that also has the potential to be used as a bioterrorist agent. Since there are no approved vaccines or antiviral drugs for this virus, it is prudent that antiviral strategies be developed. RNA interference, an evolutionarily conserved but only recently discovered biological phenomenon, may be an effective gene manipulation tool to combat viruses. The ability of RNA interference to ... |
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| Assessment of a Solid Phase Matrix for the Neutralization and Real-Time PCR Detection of Bacillus anthracis |
DEC 2006 |
|
| Authors:
Douglas E. Bader; Glen R. Fisher; Chad W. Stratilo; DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUFFIELD (ALBERTA)
|
| A commercially available, solid-phase DNA binding matrix (FTA (Trademark) cards) was evaluated for its ability to neutralize live Bacillus anthracis and entrap nucleic acid for genetic analysis using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Cell culture analysis of FTA (Trademark) cards seeded with live B. anthracis indicated that FTA (Trademark) cards neutralized live B. anthracis but at low concentrations. Therefore, FTA (Trademark) cards spotted with samples containing, or suspected of ... |
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| Smallpox DNA Vaccine Delivered by Novel Skin Electroporation Device Protects Mice Against Intranasal Poxvirus Challenge |
27 NOV 2006 |
11 pages |
| Authors:
Jay W. Hooper; Joseph W. Golden; Anthony M. Ferro; Alan D. King; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD
|
| Previously, we demonstrated that an experimental smallpox DNA vaccine comprised of four vaccinia virus genes (4pox) administered by gene gun elicited protective immunity in mice challenged with vaccinia virus, and in nonhuman primates challenged with monkeypox virus (Hooper JW, et al. Smallpox DNA vaccine protects nonhuman primates against lethal monkeypox. J Virol 2004;78:4433-43). Here, we report that this 4pox DNA vaccine can be efficiently delivered by a novel method involving ... |
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| Evaluation of the Performance of Iodine-Treated Biocide Filters Challenged with Bacterial Spores and Viruses |
NOV 2006 |
64 pages |
| Authors:
Jin-Hwa Lee; Chang-Yu Wu; FLORIDA UNIV GAINESVILLE DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SCIENCES
|
| Filter media coated with a cationic resin in triiodide form were challenged by Bacillus subtilis spores and MS2 bacteriophage aerosols delivered from a Collison nebulizer through air at 35% RH and 23 C at 14.2 cm/s face velocity. Bacteria were classified and collected in a 6-stage Andersen impactor; serially connected AGI-30 impingers were used in phage experiments. Average bacterial removal efficiency was 99.9991% for untreated (UM) and 99.9994% for treated ... |
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| Validation for CFD Prediction of Mass Transport in an Aircraft Passenger Cabin |
NOV 2006 |
55 pages |
| Authors:
A. J. Baker; S. C. Ericson; J. A. Orzechowski; K.L. Wong; R. P. Garner; FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION OKLAHOMA CITY OK CIVIL AEROMEDICAL INST
|
| A joint project was established to validate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) as a quantitative methodology for prediction of the distribution of pathogens released into the environmental control system (ECS)-generated ventilation flow field of an aircraft passenger cabin. Acquisition of the requisite experimental databases for three-dimensional velocity and gaseous contaminant distributions was accomplished in the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute's (CAMI's) Aircraft Environmental Research Facility (AERF). The associated CFD simulations were ... |
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| Fully Virulent Bacillus Anthracis Does Not Require the Immunodominant Protein BclA for Pathogenesis |
20 OCT 2006 |
5 pages |
| Authors:
J. Bozue; C. K. Cote; L. Moody; S. L. Welkos; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD VIROLOGY DIV
|
| The BclA protein is the immunodominant epitope on the surface of Bacillus anthracis spores; however, its roles in pathogenesis are unclear. We constructed a BclA deletion mutant (bclA) of the fully virulent Ames strain. This derivative retained full virulence in several small animal models of infection despite the bclA deletion. |
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| Poly-gamma-Glutamate Capsule-Degrading Enzyme Treatment Enhances Phagocytosis and Killing of Encapsulated Bacillus Anthracis |
14 OCT 2006 |
9 pages |
| Authors:
Angelo Scorpio; Donald J. Chabot; William A. Day; David K. O'Brien; Nicholas J. Vietri; Yoshifumi Itoh; Mansour Mohamadzadeh; Arthur Friedlander; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD
|
| The poly gamma-D-glutamic acid capsule confers antiphagocytic properties on Bacillus anthracis and is essential for virulence. In this study, we showed that two recombinant glutamylases: CapD, a gamma-polyglutamic acid depolymerase encoded on the B. anthracis capsule plasmid, and PghP, a gamma-polyglutamic acid hydrolase encoded by bacteriophage Phi, NIT1, degraded purified capsule and removed the capsule from the surface of anthrax bacilli. Treatment with CapD or PghP induced macrophage phagocytosis of ... |
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| Hepatitis C. Virus Infection: Mechanisms of Disease Progression |
OCT 2006 |
9 pages |
| Authors:
Maria H. Sjogren; Brooke Huntley; TRUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION SAN ANTONIO TX
|
| An estimated 4.1 million individuals in the United States are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus. Annually 8,000 to 10,000 of these subjects will die of liver-related complications and approximately 1,000 will require liver transplantation. The U.S. military has rates of HCV infection similar to the general U.S. population (1.6%). However, it is a younger population and its natural history of HCV infection has not been studied. Therefore, the ... |
|
| Diversity, Replication, Pathogenicity and Cell Biology of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus |
OCT 2006 |
15 pages |
| Authors:
Adolfo Garcia-Sastre; MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE NEW YORK
|
| This research project is a result of a collaboration between three research groups aimed at elucidating basic replication processes of CCHFV with the expected outcome of providing basic research reagents and establishing the foundation of knowledge necessary for discovery of vaccines and antiviral therapeutics for Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever. Our major findings during the second year of support are the following: We have mapped domains in the N and L ... |
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| Cross-Protection against Marburg Virus Strains by Using a Live, Attenuated Recombinant Vaccine |
OCT 2006 |
11 pages |
| Authors:
Kathleen M. Daddario-DiCaprio; Thomas W. Geisbert; Joan B. Geisbert; Ute Stroeher; Lisa E. Hensley; Allen Grolla; Elizabeth A. Fritz; Friederike Feldmann; Heinz Feldmann; Steven M. Jones; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD VIROLOGY DIV
|
| Marburg virus (MARV) has been associated with sporadic episodes of hemorrhagic fever, including a recent highly publicized outbreak in Angola that produced severe disease and significant mortality in infected patients. MARV is also considered to have potential as a biological weapon. Recently, we reported the development of a promising attenuated, replication-competent vaccine against MARV based on recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) expressing the glycoprotein of the Musoke strain of MARV ... |
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| Genome Sequence Alterations Detected upon Passage of Burkholderia mallei ATCC 23344 in Culture and in Mammalian Hosts |
05 SEP 2006 |
12 pages |
| Authors:
Claudia M. Romero; David DeShazer; Tamara Feldblyum; Jacques Ravel; Donald Woods; H. S. Kim; Yan Yu; Catherine M. Ronning; William C. Nierman; INSTITUTE FOR GENOMIC RESEARCH ROCKVILLE MD
|
| Background: More than 12,000 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) have been identified in the genome of Burkholderia mallei ATCC 23344. As a demonstrated mechanism of phase variation in other pathogenic bacteria, these may function as mutable loci leading to altered protein expression or structure variation. To determine if such alterations are occurring in vivo, the genomes of various single-colony passaged B. mallei ATCC 23344 isolates, one from each source, were sequenced ... |
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| (Bio)degradation of RDX and HMX in Marine/Estuarine Water and Sediments |
SEP 2006 |
14 pages |
| Authors:
Jalal Hawari; Bharat Bhushan; Fanny Monteil-Rivera; Jian-Shen Zhao; NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA MONTREAL (QUEBEC) BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INST
|
| The present study was initiated to provide US Navy with scientific data to help understand the environmental fate of RDX and HMX in marine environments. Two types of sediments were selected, one from a cold Atlantic site near Halifax, and another from a tropical Pacific site near Hawaii. Extensive analysis of sediments and water from both sites only showed the presence of DNT and TNT in two UXO sites from ... |
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| Determination of MS2 Bacteriophage Stability at Low pH Using the Integrated Virus Detection System (IVDS) |
SEP 2006 |
13 pages |
| Authors:
Charles H. Wick; Ilya Elashvili; Patrick E. McCubbin; Amnon Birenzvige; EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DIR
|
| This report describes testing of the survivability of MS2 virus under harsh conditions using the Integrated Virus Detection System (IVDS). In this study, the MS2 was subjected to a highly acidic and oxidative environment. Judging by the concentration of the virus particles, the virus survived 66 hr in 0.1 N HNO3 solution without any signs of diminution in the number of virus particles. This suggests that viruses might be able ... |
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| The Ecology, Life History, and Phylogeny of the Marine Thecate Heterotrophic Dinoflagellates Protoperidinium and Diplopsalidaceae (Dinophyceae) |
SEP 2006 |
|
| Authors:
Kristin E. Gribble; WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION MA
|
| Marine thecate heterotrophic dinoflagellates likely play an important role in the consumption of primary productivity and in the trophic structure of the plankton, yet we know little about these species. This thesis expanded our understanding of the autecology and evolutionary history of the Protoperidinium and diplopsalids. The distributions of Protoperidinium species off the southwestern coast of Ireland were influenced by physical oceanographic conditions coupled with the availability of preferred prey. ... |
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| Rapid Molecular Fingerprinting of Pathogens |
31 AUG 2006 |
8 pages |
| Authors:
Patrick Daugherty; CALIFORNIA UNIV SANTA BARBARA
|
| The first aim of this project was to identify a set of ligands that bind specifically to each member of a panel of related alpha viruses, namely, equine encephalitis viruses (EEV). The second aim was to develop a bacterial cell-based array platform that can be used to detect viruses present in serum or other complex mixtures. During the course of this project we generated a set of peptides that bind ... |
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| Designing a Biocontainment Unit to Care for Patients with Serious Communicable Diseases: A Consensus Statement |
29 AUG 2006 |
16 pages |
| Authors:
Philip W. Smith; Arthur O. Anderson; George W. Christopher; Theodore J. Cieslak; G. J. Devreede; Glen A. Fosdick; Carl B. Greiner; John M. Hauser; Steven H. Hinrichs; Kermit D. Huebner; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD
|
| In spite of great advances in medicine, serious communicable diseases are a significant threat. Hospitals must be prepared to deal with patients who are infected with pathogens introduced by a bioterrorist act (e.g., smallpox), by a global emerging infectious disease (e.g., avian influenza, viral hemorrhagic fevers), or by a laboratory accident. One approach to hazardous infectious diseases in the hospital setting is a biocontainment patient care unit (BPCU). This article ... |
|
| Macrophage Responses to B. Anthracis |
14 AUG 2006 |
16 pages |
| Authors:
Philip C. Hanna; MICHIGAN UNIV ANN ARBOR SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
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| The goal of these studies is to monitor changes occurring in host macrophages using a cell culture model of the early establishment stage of anthrax. Global changes in cultured murine macrophage expression of mRNA and protein, in response to B. anthracis and anthrax lethal toxin challenges, were assessed for 8 hours via microarray and MudPIT technologies and compared to mock-challenged cells. While most host genes/proteins did not change expression levels ... |
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| A Quantitative Electrochemiluminescence Assay for Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin |
10 AUG 2006 |
8 pages |
| Authors:
Gerald A. Merrill; Victor R. Rivera; Dwayne D. Neal; Charles Young; Mark A. Poli; BROOKE ARMY MEDICAL CENTER FORT SAM HOUSTON TX
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| Described is a rapid direct sandwich format electrochemiluminescence assay for identifying and assaying Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin. Biotinylated antibodies to C. perfringens alpha toxin bound to streptavidin paramagnetic beads specifically immunoadsorbed soluble sample alpha toxin which subsequently selectively immunoadsorbed ruthenium (Ru)-labeled detection antibodies. The ruthenium chelate of detection antibodies chemically reacted in the presence of tripropylamine and upon electronic stimulation emitted photons (electrochemiluminescence) that were detected by the photodiode of ... |
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| Live Vaccine Strain Francisella tularensis is Detectable at the Inoculation Site but Not in Blood after Vaccination Against Tularemia |
10 AUG 2006 |
8 pages |
| Authors:
Matthew J. Hepburn; Bret K. Purcell; James V. Lawler; Susan R. Coyne; Patricia L. Petitt; Karen D. Sellers; David A. Norwood; Melanie P. Ulrich; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD
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| Live vaccine strain (LVS) Francisella tularensis is a live, attenuated investigational tularemia vaccine that has been used by the US Army for decades to protect laboratory workers. Postvaccination bacterial kinetic characteristics of LVS at the inoculation site and in the blood are unknown and, therefore, were assessed in a prospective study. LVS vaccination of laboratory workers provided the opportunity to compare culture with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection ... |
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| Antisense Treatments for Biothreat Agents |
01 AUG 2006 |
13 pages |
| Authors:
Kelly L. Warfield; Rekha G. Panchal; M J. Aman; Sina Bavari; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD
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| Antisense oligomers (ASOs) represent a promising technology to treat viral and bacterial infections, and have already been shown to be successful against a variety of pathogens in cell culture studies and nonhuman primate models of infection. For these reasons, antisense technologies are being pursued as treatments against biothreat agents such as Ebola virus, dengue virus and Bacillus anthracis. Several generations of modified oligonucleotides have been developed to maximize nuclease resistance, ... |
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| Antimicrobial Cellulose: Preparation and Application of 5-Methyl-5-Aminomethylhydantoin |
AUG 2006 |
24 pages |
| Authors:
L. Kou; J. Liang; S. D. Worley; J. Lee; R. M. Broughton; T. S. Huang; AUBURN UNIV AL DEPT OF CHEMISTRY
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| A new N-halamine precursor, 5-methyl-5-aminomethylhydantoin (AH), was synthesized. This N-halamine precursor can be coated onto cotton surfaces with addition of the cross-linking agent butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) and rendered biocidal by exposure to halogen solutions either before or after curing the coating or material. Standard washing tests show that covalently bound AH/BTCA on the cotton swatches can survive repeated washing cycles. After 50 washing cycles, chlorinated cotton swatches had lost 98.7% ... |
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| Structure-Antimicrobial Activity Relationship for a New Class of Antimicrobials, Silanols, in Comparison to Alcohols and Phenols |
AUG 2006 |
142 pages |
| Authors:
Yun M. Kim; FLORIDA UNIV GAINESVILLE
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| Concerns for microbial contamination and infection to the general population and military personnel have greatly increased due to the increased potential for bio-terrorism and microbial threats to health. Desirable antimicrobials are designed to be environmentally benign, strongly effective to various microorganisms, and economically affordable. We have recently discovered a new class of silicon based antimicrobials called silanols (R(CH3)2SiOH). The antimicrobial activity of the silanols was at least twice as strong ... |
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| Computer Simulation of the Virulome of Bacillus anthracis Using Proteomics |
31 JUL 2006 |
32 pages |
| Authors:
Vito G. DelVecchio; Alexander Walz; VITAL PROBES MAYFIELD PA
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| Proteomic investigations of the biological warfare agent (BWA) Bacillus anthracis contributes to a comprehensive view of the cellular events that occur under host simulated conditions. The proteome of an organism is the sum of all proteins produced under defined conditions. It represents a global metabolic snapshot of a cell or microorganism at a particular moment. Presently there are large gaps in our knowledge about how B. anthracis infects and interacts ... |
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| High-Throughput Detection of Bacillus Anthracis Spores using Peptide-Conjugated Nano/Micro-Beads |
26 JUL 2006 |
22 pages |
| Authors:
Sang Y. Lee; KOREA ADVANCED INST OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DAEJEON (SOUTH KOREA) DEPT OF CHEMICAL AND BIOMOLECULAR ENGINEERING
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| Magnetic bead and Q dots are very attractive materials for detecting B. anthracis spores. Magnetic beads can rapidly isolate B. anthracis spores based on magnetic polarity of the pores, whereas Qdots have ideal characteristics for dense spectral multiplexing, narrow emission range and long lifetime, and can perform simple multiplexed analysis. In this study, they investigated developing a rapid, simple and highly sensitive detection method for detecting B. anthracis spores by ... |
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| Topical Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis W/WR279396 Phase II Study. Addendum |
JUL 2006 |
17 pages |
| Authors:
Pierre Buffet; CENTRE DE RECEHERCHE CLINIQUE INST DE PARIS (FRANCE)
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| In the previous GCP phase 2 clinical study (HSRRB Log# A-9768.1) using investigational drug WR279396, cure rate was found to be 95.8% when evaluated at D50 with no relapse at D180 against L. major Old World Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL). During this reporting period, a second phase 2 clinical study was conceived written and initiated (HSRRB Log# A-9768.2 entitled "Topical Treatment of Old World Cutaneous Leishmaniasis with WR279396: Efficacy and tolerance ... |
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| Photo Quiz. Reaction After Smallpox Vaccination |
JUL 2006 |
4 pages |
| Authors:
MG Rusnak J Kortepeter JM; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD
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| A 31-year-old woman presented with a 12-hour history of pain, tenderness, swelling, and erythema over her left anterior chest wall nine days after receiving a primary smallpox vaccination. As instructed, she kept the site loosely covered with dry gauze and an adhesive dressing and made daily dressing changes. Two days before presentation, she experienced neck and supraclavicular pain on the left side that resolved within 24 hours. She had not ... |
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Microbiology
