| The 2009 Influenza Pandemic: An Overview |
16-Nov-2009 |
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| Authors:
Sarah A Lister; C S Redhead; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
 | On June 11, 2009, in response to the global spread of a new strain of H1N1 influenza (flu), the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak to be an influenza pandemic, the first since 1968. The novel H1N1 swine flu was first identified in California in late April. Since then, cases have been reported around the world. When the outbreak began, U.S. officials adopted a response posture under the overall ... |
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| Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR). Volume 16, Number 10, October 2009 |
Oct-2009 |
29 pages |
| Authors:
ARMED FORCES HEALTH SURVEILLANCE CENTER SILVER SPRING MD
|
 | This publication is the women's health deployment issue. Articles in the publication include: Health of women after deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom; Medical evacuation for suspected breast cancer, active and reserve components; Department of Defense vaccine guidance for novel H1N1 influenza; and Hospitalization rates for hepatitis A. It also provides summary tables and figures on health assessments, deployments, medical events and training. |
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| The 2009 Influenza Pandemic: An Overview |
10-Sep-2009 |
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| Authors:
Sarah A Lister; C S Redhead; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
|
| On June 11, 2009, in response to the global spread of a new strain of H1N1 influenza (flu), the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak to be an influenza pandemic, the first since 1968. WHO said that the pandemic declaration was based on the geographic spread of the new virus, not on increasing severity of the illnesses it causes. Officials now believe the outbreak began in Mexico in March, ... |
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| Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR). Volume 16, Number 9, September 2009 |
Sep-2009 |
25 pages |
| Authors:
ARMED FORCES HEALTH SURVEILLANCE CENTER SILVER SPRING MD
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| ARTICLES: Cold weather-related injuries, U.S. Armed Forces, July 2004 - June 2009. Surveillance Snapshot: Influenza immunizations among health care workers. Preliminary report: Outbreak of novel H1N1 influenza aboard USS Boxer, 29 June - 31 July 2009. Mental disorders after deployment to OEF/OIF in relation to predeployment mental health and during deployment combat experiences, active components, U.S. Armed Forces, January 2006 - December 2007. SUMMARY TABLES AND FIGURES: Acute respiratory disease, ... |
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| Gynecologic Cancer Center for Racial Disparities |
Aug-2009 |
18 pages |
| Authors:
G L Maxwell; JACKSON (HENRY M) FOUNDATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF MILITARY MEDICINE ROCKVILLE MD
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| There are significant health-related disparities in outcome among women in the U.S. with different types of gynecologic cancer. Poor outcome among minorities with gynecologic cancer exists because of biological differences in tumors related to race and ethnicity; cultural, social and psychological barriers to accessing care; less than optimal screening services and prevention strategies, and unequal provision of quality health care and tailored therapeutics. 1: An analysis of the genomic and ... |
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| PSPP: A Protein Structure Prediction Pipeline for Computing Clusters |
Jul-2009 |
10 pages |
| Authors:
Jaques Reifman; Nela Zavaljevski; Anders Wallqvist; In-Chul Yeh; Valmik Desai; Michael S Lee; Rajkumar Bondugula; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH AND MATERIEL COMMAND FORT DETRICK MD
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| Background: Protein structures are critical for understanding the mechanisms of biological systems and, subsequently, for drug and vaccine design. Unfortunately, protein sequence data exceed structural data by a factor of more than 200 to 1. This gap can be partially filled by using computational protein structure prediction. While structure prediction Web servers are a notable option, they often restrict the number of sequence queries and/or provide a limited set of ... |
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| Enhancement of Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy Using a Small Molecule TGF-beta Receptor Type I Kinase Inhibitor |
Jul-2009 |
31 pages |
| Authors:
Matthew Rausch; ARIZONA UNIV TUCSON
|
| Dendritic cells (DC) have become particularly attractive candidates for cancer immunotherapy due to their potent ability to stimulate antigen specific T cells responses. To date DC-based immunotherapy has demonstrated only limited clinical success in the treatment of established tumors. The limited clinical efficacy of existing DC-based cancer vaccines has been attributed in part to suppressive factors produced by the growing tumor, such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) that has been ... |
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| Assessment of Iodine-treated Filter Media for Removal and Inactivation of MS2 Bacteriophase Aerosols |
Apr-2009 |
40 pages |
| Authors:
Samuel Farrah; Jin-Hwa Lee; Chang-Yu Wu; Dale A Lundgren; Joseph D Wander; Brian K Heimbuch; Christiana N Lee; Diandra Anwar; Katherine M Wysocki; FLORIDA UNIV GAINESVILLE DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SCIENCES
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| The filter's physical (PRE) and viable removal efficiencies (VRE) were investigated with challenges of MS2 bacteriophage aerosols, and the infectivity of MS2 collected on the filter was analyzed. To test a proposed inactivation mechanism, media containing thiosulfate or bovine serum albumin (BSA) were put in impingers to quench and consume I2 released from the filter. In direct plating experiments, treated filters presented significantly higher VREs than did untreated filters; however, ... |
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| Prairie View A&M/Baylor College of Medicine SMART Summer Undergraduate Prostate Cancer Research Project |
Apr-2009 |
8 pages |
| Authors:
Nancy L Weigel; B G Slaughter; BAYLOR COLL OF MEDICINE HOUSTON TX
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| The goal of this project is to encourage undergraduates to enter careers in prostate cancer research. This project involves BCM faculty presentations at Prairie View A & M University and a 9 week summer prostate cancer research experience at BCM for up to 5 undergraduates/year from PVAMU (3 in 2006; 4 in 2007 and 2008). Participants attended a weekly research discussion group focused on prostate cancer. Students make PowerPoint presentations ... |
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| Modeling Thermal Inactivation of Bacillus Spores |
Mar-2009 |
94 pages |
| Authors:
Emily A Knight; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
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| This research models and analyzes methods to damage Bacillus anthracis spores through heat treatment. AFIT researchers have developed methods to characterize the effects of heating spores to high temperatures and for short durations similar to the thermal pulse of conventional weapon detonation. This research models the current experiment and evaluates the rate of thermal diffusion throughout the spores. A micro-model of the effects of dry and wet heating on a ... |
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| FDA Regulation of Follow-On Biologics |
24-Feb-2009 |
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| Authors:
Judith A Johnson; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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| Congress has been considering legislation that would expand regulatory activities of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by opening a pathway for the approval of follow-on biologics. A biologic is a preparation, such as a drug or a vaccine, that is made from living organisms. A follow-on biologic is similar to the brand-name (innovator) product made by the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. In contrast to a biologic, most commonly used ... |
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| Research and Operational Support for the Study of Militarily Relevant Infectious Diseases of Interest to the United States Army and the Royal Thai Army |
01-Jan-2009 |
122 pages |
| Authors:
Sorachai Nitayaphan; Krisada Duangurai; ARMED FORCES RESEARCH INST OF MEDICAL SCIENCES/ROYAL THAI ARMY MEDICAL COMPONENT BANGKOK
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| Cooperative agreement # DAMD17-01-2-0005 was implemented January 1, 2001 to provide funding support for Royal Thai Army at Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) engaged in research activities in collaboration with US Army. Administrative, logistical and scientific personnel required to support the ongoing U.S. Army AFRIMS research efforts, and utilities and maintenance required to support the U.S. Army AFRIMS research effort. |
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| The Mechanosensitive Ca2+ Channel as a Central Regular of Prostate Tumor Cell Migration and Invasiveness |
Jan-2009 |
126 pages |
| Authors:
Owen P Hamill; Rosario Maroto; TEXAS UNIV MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON
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| Our patch clamp studies indicate MscCa is expressed by the invasive prostate tumor cell PC-3. Anti-MscCa agents, Gd3+, GsmTx-4, and an anti-TRPC1 antibody block PC-3 cell migration. MscCa activity can be recorded over the surface of the PC-3 cell but is expressed at higher density on the rear compared with the front of the cell. This channel density gradient combined with a higher density of thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ stores in the ... |
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| Identification and Characterization of Ovarian Carcinoma Peptide Epitopes Recognized by Cylotoxic T Lymphocytes |
Nov-2008 |
75 pages |
| Authors:
Kevin T Hogan; VIRGINIA UNIV CHARLOTTESVILLE
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| The purpose of the research was to identify new ovarian cancer tumor antigens that could be used in the development of an ovarian cancer vaccine. The scope of the work involved identifying peptide antigens recognized by ovarian cancer reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Eleven ovarian cancer cell lines were characterized for their expression of tumor antigens and MHC molecules This was significant because it provided a resource that could be ... |
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| DNA Methylation as an Epigenetic Factor in the Development and Progression of Polycythemia Vera |
Oct-2008 |
34 pages |
| Authors:
Jean-Pierre Issa; M D ANDERSON CANCER CENTER HOUSTON TX
|
| Polycythemia vera (PV) is the most common myeloproliferative disorder with a yearly incidence of 28 per 1 million people and a slightly higher prevalence in males. PV is characterized by clonal expansion of erythroid, myelomonocytic, and megakaryocytic lineages, erythrocytosis being the most prominent clinical manifestation of PV. The disease is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality, including thrombotic and/or hemorrhagic events, and a risk of an evolution into myelofibrosis ... |
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| Diversity, Replication, Pathogenicity and Cell Biology of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus |
Oct-2008 |
63 pages |
| Authors:
Adolfo Garcia-Sastre; MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE NEW YORK
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| This research project was 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 total period of support were the following: We have cloned and expressed all proteins of CCHFV. ... |
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| Biological Terrorism: US Policies to Reduce Global Biothreats |
01-Sep-2008 |
30 pages |
| Authors:
Barry Kellman; PARTNERSHIP FOR A SECURE AMERICA WASHINGTON DC
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| This report finds progress in US government bioterrorism interdiction and response programs, and in cooperative efforts to track infectious diseases internationally, including creation of a new office charged with strengthening cooperative non-proliferation of bioweapons and related knowledge. However, inadequate multilateral coordination and cooperation remains the single largest stumbling block to effective bioterror prevention. Despite increases in overall biothreat response funding, global threat reduction programs are still under-funded, and US disengagement ... |
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| Immunotherapeutic Strategies in Breast Cancer: Preclinical and Clinical Trials |
Sep-2008 |
116 pages |
| Authors:
Sandra J Gendler; MAYO CLINIC COLLEGE OF MEDICINE SCOTTSDALE AZ
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| This project is focused on novel tumor vaccines directed at MUC1 and other tumor antigens. Our specific aims are: 1)To assess the effectiveness of vaccines against MUC1 and other tumor antigens in the prevention and treatment of spontaneous breast carcinomas in mice; 2)To translate an effective vaccine strategy into a phase I clinical trial in patients with undetectable disease following standard therapy. The model of spontaneous mammary cancer is the ... |
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| Enhancing Anti-Breast Cancer Immunity by Blocking Death Receptor DR5 |
Sep-2008 |
18 pages |
| Authors:
Wei-Zen Wei; WAYNE STATE UNIV DETROIT MI
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| The original hypothesis was that blocking DR5 with vaccine-induced antagonist antibodies (Ab) will protect T cells from TRAIL-induced apoptosis and enhance their anti-tumor activity. The three specific aims were to (1) Construct and test DR5 vaccines to induce anti-DR5 Ab (2) Test the antagonist activity of vaccine-induced anti-DR5 Ab and (3) Amplify anti-tumor immunity by DR5 vaccination. We found that immune sera to human DR5 showed significant agonist rather than ... |
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| Enhancement of Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy Using a Small Molecule TGF-beta Receptor Type I Kinase Inhibitor |
01-Jun-2008 |
15 pages |
| Authors:
Matthew Rausch; ARIZONA UNIV TUCSON
|
| Dendritic cells (DC) have become particularly attractive candidates for cancer immunotherapy due to their potent ability to stimulate antigen specific T cells responses. To date DC-based immunotherapy has demonstrated only limited clinical success in the treatment of established tumors. The limited clinical efficacy of existing DC-based cancer vaccines has been attributed in part to suppressive factors produced by the growing tumor, such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) that has been ... |
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| The Deployed Warfighter Protection Research Program: Finding New Methods to Vanquish Old Foes (The United States Army Medical Department Journal, April-June 2008) |
Jun-2008 |
14 pages |
| Authors:
Stanton E Cope; Daniel A Strickman; Graham B White; Kathleen N Dunemn; ARMED FORCES PEST MANAGEMENT BOARD WASHINGTON DC
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| The Deployed Warfighter Protection research program (DWFP) is an initiative to develop and validate novel methods to protect United States military deployed abroad from threats posed by disease-carrying insects. Vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, leishmaniasis, and chikungunya are among the most important health risks facing deployed troops. There are no vaccines for many diseases transmitted by biting insects, so methods in insect management and control, as well as personal ... |
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| Therapeutic Human Hyperimmune Polyclonal Antibodies Against Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B |
MAY 2008 |
11 pages |
| Authors:
M. J. Aman; INTEGRATED BIOTHERAPEUTICS FREDERICK MD
|
| This SBIR project aims to develop hyperimmune human polyclonal antibody that neutralizes the toxic activity of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) as treatment for toxic shock induced by SEB disseminated as aerosol in a biowarfare scenario. The primary goal of Phase I was to demonstrate the feasibility of therapeutic intervention with immunoglobulin enriched with antibodies against SEB. Feasibility of the approach was demonstrated in cellular assays and a mouse model of ... |
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| Predicting the Interplay of Epitope Recognition and Evolution in RNA Viruses Under Immune Pressure |
30-Apr-2008 |
13 pages |
| Authors:
Bjoern Peters; Alesandro Sette; Martin Blythe; LA JOLLA INST FOR ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY LA JOLLA CA DIVISION OF VACCINE DISCOVERY
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| RNA viruses can rapidly mutate, causing therapeutics and vaccines to loose their effectiveness. The long-term goal of this project is to predict such mutations, in order to anticipate their effect and design better therapeutics and vaccines. In the funding period reported here, the specific goal was to build a predictive model of viral escape from immune pressure exerted by monospecific T cells in vitro. This goal was achieved: a general ... |
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| Targeting the Vaccinia Virus L1 Protein to the Cell Surface Enhances Production of Neutralizing Antibodies |
28-Apr-2008 |
10 pages |
| Authors:
Joseph W Golden; Jay W Hooper; Matthew D Josleyn; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD VIROLOGY DIV
|
| The current live-orthopoxvirus vaccine is associated with minor to serious adverse affects, and is contra-indicated for use in a significant portion of the population. As an alternative vaccine, we have previously shown that a DNA sub-unit vaccine (4pox) based on four orthopoxvirus immunogens (L1R, B5R, A27L and A33R) can produce protective immunity against lethal orthopoxvirus challenges in mice and nonhuman primates. Because antibodies are critical for protection against secondary orthopoxvirus ... |
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| Evaluation of Quantitative Anti-F1 IgG and Anti-V IgG ELISAs for use as an in Vitro-Based Potency Assay of Plague Vaccine in Mice |
01-Apr-2008 |
10 pages |
| Authors:
S F Little; W M Webster; H Wilhelm; B Powell; J Enama; J J Adamovicz; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD BACTERIOLOGY DIV
|
| Quantitative anti-F1 and anti-V IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were developed to measure the serological response of female Swiss Webster mice after vaccination with the recombinant fusion protein, rF1-V, which is being developed as a plague vaccine. Several fundamental parameters of the ELISA were evaluated: specificity, precision, accuracy, and stability. Experimental results suggested that a potency assay based upon the serological response of female Swiss Webster mice, as measured by ... |
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| Development of a Novel Vaccine Vector for Multiple CDC Category A Pathogens |
APR 2008 |
13 pages |
| Authors:
Jay A. Nelson; Scott W. Wong; Michael A. Jarvis; OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE UNIV PORTLAND
|
| Specific Aim 1 was to generate a panel of RhCMV/MPV vectors expressing MPV antigens A29L, A35R, M1R and B6R in either the wild type RhCMV vector, or in a vector lacking MHC immunomodulatory genes. To date, two vectors have been constructed and characterized, and we have subsequently selected one WT RhCMV vector (WTRhCMV/A35R) for immunogical characterization in rhesus macaques. Specific Aims 2 and 3 were to establish the pathobiology of ... |
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| Structure-Based Design of Inhibitors to the Cytotoxin RICIN. Addendum |
APR 2008 |
15 pages |
| Authors:
Jon Robertus; TEXAS UNIV AT AUSTIN
|
| Ricin is a cytotoxin and a known bioterrorist weapon. The Army is pursuing anti-ricin vaccines, but plans to develop an efficacious antidote to the toxin for cases where vaccination is not appropriate. The goal of this project was to use the X-ray structure of ricin. A chain (RTA) as a template for inhibitor design. Computer modeling and X-ray screening aid in the design process. inhibitors which bind to the RTA ... |
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| Nano-Mechanical Properties of Heat Inactivated Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus thuringiensis Spores |
01-Mar-2008 |
85 pages |
| Authors:
Jessica L Poindexter; AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
|
| B. thuringiensis spores must have similar properties to B. anthracis spores to be a good simulant in counter-proliferation studies. In particular, they must behave in a similar way when exposed to high temperatures for short periods of time as would be caused by an explosion. This research project compares surface elasticities for four different spore sample types, B. anthracis spores, heat inactivated B. anthracis spores, B. thuringiensis spores, and heat ... |
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| Targeting Breast Cancers Featuring Activating Mutations in PIK3CA by Generating a Lethal Dose of PIP3 |
01-Feb-2008 |
9 pages |
| Authors:
Jean J Zhao; DANA-FARBER CANCER INST BOSTON MA
|
| Our research described here is relevant to the pathogenesis and a potential novel therapy for breast cancers. The PIK3CA is the most commonly mutated oncogene in breast cancer and loss of the tumor suppressor, PTEN, occurs frequently in patients suffering from this disease. The most significant accomplishment during the second year of funding is the mammary gland tumor model induced by conditional expression of an oncogenic PIK3CA allele which will ... |
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| Chemical and Biological Defense: DOD and VA Need to Improve Efforts to Identify and Notify Individuals Potentially Exposed during Chemical and Biological Tests |
FEB 2008 |
50 pages |
| Authors:
Davi M. D'Agostino; Robert L. Repasky; Tommy Baril; Renee S. Brown; Brian D. Pegram; Steven Putansu; Terry L. Richardson; Karen Thornton; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
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| Tens of thousands of military personnel and civilians were potentially exposed to chemical or biological substances through Department of Defense (DoD) tests since World War II. DoD conducted some of these tests as part of its Project 112 test program, while others were conducted as separate efforts. GAO was asked to do the following: (1) assess DoD's efforts to identify individuals who were potentially exposed during Project 112 tests, (2) ... |
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| Tulane/Xavier Vaccine Development/Engineering Project |
FEB 2008 |
8 pages |
| Authors:
John D. Clements; Lucy Freytag; Vijay John; Tarun Mandal; TULANE UNIV NEW ORLEANS LA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
|
| The Tulane/Xavier Biodefense Vaccine Development/Engineering project will develop new vaccines against biological threat agents to aid the war-fighter. Through the innovative use of nanotechnology, researchers and engineers from the Tulane University Schools of Medicine and Science & Engineering and the Xavier College of Pharmacy will fabricate nanoparticulate systems that are effective for transdermal and mucosal delivery of life-saving vaccines. One aim of this project will be to compare different nanocarriers ... |
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| Heterogeneity in the A33 Protein Impacts the Cross-Protective Efficacy of a Candidate Smallpox DNA Vaccine |
01-Jan-2008 |
12 pages |
| Authors:
Joseph W Golden; Jay W Hooper; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD VIROLOGY DIV
|
| We previously developed a gene-based vaccine, termed 4 pox, which targets four orthopoxvirus proteins (A33, L1, B5, and A27). Because any subunit orthopoxvirus vaccine must protect against multiple species of orthopoxviruses, we are interested in understanding the cross-protective potential of our 4 pox vaccine target immunogens. In our current studies, we focused on the A33 immunogen. We found one monoclonal antibody against A33, MAb-1G10, which could not bind the monkeypox ... |
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| Spring 2008 Industry Study: Biotechnology Industry |
01-Jan-2008 |
41 pages |
| Authors:
INDUSTRIAL COLL OF THE ARMED FORCES WASHINGTON DC
|
| Defined broadly as the manipulation of genetic material in living organisms or the derivatives thereof, biotechnology represents a veritable gold mine of possibilities for improving the human condition. Society tends to focus on the glamorous; the success of the Human Genome Project and its modern miracle of unraveling the composition of human deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). However, biotechnology is much more than genetics. It twines the developments in understanding the building ... |
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| Persistence of Vaccinia at the Site of Smallpox Vaccination |
01-Jan-2008 |
3 pages |
| Authors:
James F Cummings; Mark E Polhemus; Clifton Hawkes; Mary Klote; George V Ludwig; Glenn Wortmann; WALTER REED ARMY MEDICAL CENTER WASHINGTON DC
|
| Persistence of vaccinia at vaccination sites may help determine the risk associated with secondary transmission. Culture, PCR, and antigen detection were performed on serial vaccination site swab specimens. On day 21 after vaccination, 37% of volunteers were culture positive, most of whom had received vaccine for the first time. Vaccinia is detectable at least through day 21 after vaccination. |
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| Oligonucleotide Antiviral Therapeutics: Antisense and RNA Interference for Highly Pathogenic RNA Viruses |
01-Jan-2008 |
12 pages |
| Authors:
Sina Bavari; Kevin B Spurgers; C M Sharkey; Kelly L Warfield; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD
|
| RNA viruses are a significant source of morbidity and mortality in humans every year. Additionally, the potential use of these viruses in acts of bioterrorism poses a threat to national security. Given the paucity of vaccines or postexposure therapeutics for many highly pathogenic RNA viruses, novel treatments are badly needed. Sequence-based drug design, under development for almost 20 years, is proving effective in animal models and has moved into clinical ... |
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| Mutational Analysis of Cell Types in TSC |
01-Jan-2008 |
12 pages |
| Authors:
Peter B Crino; PENNSYLVANIA UNIV PHILADELPHIA
|
| Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal disorder resulting from mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes that is associated with epilepsy, cognitive disability, and autism. TSC1/TSC2 gene mutations lead to developmental alterations in brain structure known as tubers in over 80% of TSC patients. Loss of TSC1 or TSC2 function in tubers results from biallelic TSC gene inactivation and leads to activation of the mTOR cascade as evidenced by ... |
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| Combining Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy to Target Surviving in Prostate Cancer |
JAN 2008 |
12 pages |
| Authors:
Dorthe Schaue; CALIFORNIA UNIV REGENTS LOS ANGELES
|
| Here, we propose to harness the immune system by immunotherapy (IT) alongside conventional radiotherapy (RT) to improve the treatment of men with advanced or recurrent prostate cancer. The overall aim is to determine whether local irradiation of prostate tumors in a preclinical and clinical setting leads to measurable tumor-specific immune responses and whether tumor vaccination can boost these immune responses possibly leading to better tumor control. Survivin is our tumor ... |
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| US Military Service Members Vaccinated Against Smallpox in 2003 and 2004 Experience a Slightly Higher Risk of Hospitalization Postvaccination |
Jan-2008 |
12 pages |
| Authors:
Besa Smith; Tyler C Smith; Margaret A Ryan; Isabel G Jacobson; Timothy S Wells; Robert J Reed; NAVAL MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER SILVER SPRING MD
|
| This study explores adverse events severe enough to warrant hospitalization that may have been associated with receiving the smallpox vaccine in conjunction with military service. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to identify the risk of hospitalization among US active-duty military personnel during a 1-year period following receipt of the smallpox vaccine. The reference group consisted of active-duty military personnel who also received the smallpox vaccine after the conclusion of ... |
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| Protection of Hamsters by Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Candidate Vaccine V3526 Against Lethal Challenge by Mosquito Bite and Intraperitoneal Injection |
2008 |
7 pages |
| Authors:
Michael J. Turell; Michael D. Parker; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD VIROLOGY DIV
|
| In an attempt to improve upon the current live, attenuated vaccine (TC-83) for Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), the V3526 vaccine candidate strain of VEEV was prepared by site-directed mutagenesis. Because studies indicate that virus introduced by mosquito bite may be more pathogenic than the same virus introduced by needle inoculation, there were concerns that the presence of mosquito saliva, or changes in the virus due to replication in a ... |
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| Stathmin: A Relay Protein in the Development of Prostate Cancer and a Potential Target for Anti-Cancer Therapy |
NOV 2007 |
34 pages |
| Authors:
Ritwik Ghosh; VANDERBILT UNIV MEDICAL CENTER NASHVILLE TN
|
| The long term goal of this work is to determine whether stathmin can be targeted as an effective therapy in the clinic against prostate cancer (PCa). The purpose of this work is to i)correlate stathmin overexpression with progression of PCa ii) determine the signaling pathways activated through selective phosphorylation of stathmin and whether inactivation of these pathways promotes sensitization to treatment with Taxotere or Erbitux iii)examine the effects of stathmin ... |
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| DNA Methylation as an Epigenetic Factor in the Development and Progression of Polycythemia Vera |
NOV 2007 |
54 pages |
| Authors:
Jean-Pierre Issa; M D ANDERSON CANCER CENTER HOUSTON TX
|
| Polycythemia vera (PV) is the most common myeloproliferative disorder with a yearly incidence of 28 per 1 million people and a slightly higher prevalence in males PV is characterized by clonal expansion of erythroid, myelomonocytic, and megakaryocytic lineages, erythrocytosis being the most prominent clinical manifestation of PV The disease is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality, including thrombotic and/or hemorrhagic events, and a risk of an evolution into myelofibrosis ... |
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| Strategies to Make Immunization Status Visible During Patient Encounters at Naval Medical Center San Diego |
29 OCT 2007 |
89 pages |
| Authors:
Robert P. Nevins; NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER SAN DIEGO CA
|
| Despite the existence of office systems that can be used for automation, Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) continues to utilize paper based immunization records which do not always accurately report patient immunization status. The practice of using multiple forms to record immunization data has led to problems in determining individual immunization needs during outpatient visits. Providers often miss opportunities to vaccinate during primary care encounters due to scattered, inaccurate ... |
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| Development of a Model for Marburgvirus Based on Severe-Combined Immunodeficiency Mice |
25 OCT 2007 |
15 pages |
| Authors:
Kelly L. Warfield; Derron A. Alves; Steven B. Bradfute; Daniel K. Reed; Warren V. Kalina; Gene G. Olinger; Sina Bavari; Sean VanTongeren; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD
|
| The filoviruses, Ebola (EBOV) and Marburg (MARV), cause a lethal hemorrhagic fever. Human isolates of MARV are not lethal to immmunocompetent adult mice and, to date, there are no reports of a mouse-adapted MARV model. Previously, a uniformly lethal EBOV-Zaire mouse-adapted virus was developed by performing 9 sequential passages in progressively older mice (suckling to adult). Evaluation of this model identified many similarities between infection in mice and nonhuman primates, ... |
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| Coxiella Burnetii: Host and Bacterial Responses to Infection |
16 OCT 2007 |
9 pages |
| Authors:
David M. Waag; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD BACTERIOLOGY DIV
|
| Designation as a Category B biothreat agent has propelled Coxiella burnetii from a relatively obscure, underappreciated, "niche" microorganism on the periphery of bacteriology, to one of possibly great consequence if actually used in acts of bioterrorism. Advances in the study of this microorganism proceeded slowly, primarily because of the difficulty in studying this obligate intracellular pathogen that must be manipulated under biosafety level-3 conditions. The dogged determination of past and ... |
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| Treatment of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome |
14-Oct-2007 |
9 pages |
| Authors:
Colleen B Jonsson; Jay Hooper; Gregory Mertz; ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FORT DETRICK MD
|
| Viruses in the genus Hantavirus can cause one of two illnesses when transmitted from rodents to humans: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) or hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Of the two diseases, HPS is more severe with an approximate 40% mortality across the Americas. The high rate of mortality could be reduced if effective therapeutics could be discovered for treatment of this illness. Herein we review approaches being explored for ... |
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| Diversity, Replication, Pathogenicity and Cell Biology of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus |
OCT 2007 |
13 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 third year of support are the following: We have demonstrated that the isopeptidase activity associated with ... |
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| CD4+ Th1 HER2-Specific T Cells as a Novel Treatment for HER2-Overexpressing Breast Cancer |
OCT 2007 |
14 pages |
| Authors:
Vy P. Lai; WASHINGTON UNIV SEATTLE
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| During the last research period, we have made significant progress in the development of our mouse neu-reactive T cell lines. First, we have confirmed the key CD4+ neu peptides (p101 and p373) most effective at priming T cell responses. Of the peptide-specific T cell lines tested, only p101- and p373- T cells induced both peptide- and protein-specific responses. In preliminary studies involving adjuvants, GMCSF was highly effective for use with ... |
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| Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR). Volume 14, Number 6, September/October 2007 |
Oct-2007 |
37 pages |
| Authors:
ARMED FORCES HEALTH SURVEILLANCE CENTER SILVER SPRING MD
|
| The Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR) is prepared for by Army Medical Surveillance Activity (AMSA), Directorate of Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance, US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (USACHPPM). |
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| X Chromosome Inactivation and Breast Cancer: Epigenetic Alteration in Tumor Initiation and Progression |
SEP 2007 |
29 pages |
| Authors:
Barbara Panning; CALIFORNIA UNIV SAN FRANCISCO
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| We tested whether reactivation of the inactive X chromosome in the mouse mammary gland contributes to tumorigenesis in vivo and whether that reactivation of the inactive X can cooperate with the MYC oncogene in tumor progression. We found no evidence for a role of reactivation of the inactive X in tumor initiation or progression. We also examined whether the inactive X was reactivated in a number of different mouse breast ... |
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| North American Plan for Avian and Pandemic Influenza |
AUG 2007 |
54 pages |
| Authors:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON DC
|
| Canada, Mexico and the United States face a growing threat posed by the spread of avian influenza and the potential emergence of a human influenza pandemic. The highly pathogenic (HPAI) H5N1 avian influenza virus, which re-emerged in Asia in late 2003, has already spread to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Although the virus has not yet reached North America, Canada, Mexico, and the United States must be prepared for ... |
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VACCINES
