Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense最新文献

{"title":"Biosecurity and non-communicable diseases","authors":"L. Allen","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.1000145","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.1000145","url":null,"abstract":"Although the traditional biosecurity paradigm is concerned with the deliberate misuse of biological agents, in recent years national security strategies have widened in scope to address a much wider spectrum of biological threats. This expanding remit, partly spurred by the high-profile epidemics of the early 2000s, still does not include conditions that have been traditionally conceived as non-infectious. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers, and chronic respiratory diseases, are together responsible for 70 per cent of deaths worldwide. Heart disease and cancer have long been the leading causes of death in high-income countries but the increasing availability of tobacco, alcohol, processed food and western lifestyles have led to a boom in deaths from NCDs in low-income settings over recent decades. The substantial socio-economic burden levied by NCDs can undermine political stability in fragile states by straining weak health systems and exacerbating social inequalities. This review article argues that the rise of NCDs is a threat to international security, and that departments of defence have a central role to play in the prevention and control of these diseases. NCDs compromise the integrity of standing armies, incur large military opportunity costs, threaten the health of domestic populations, restrict economic growth in the developing world, stoke socioeconomic inequalities and seed social unrest in fragile states. Greater defence spending on domestic and international efforts to promote health and manage NCDs should be a core function of defence departments mandated to promote global security.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"54 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77577685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biosurveillance Threats and the Opportunity to Develop a Safer World","authors":"B. Leon","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.1000143","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.1000143","url":null,"abstract":"Biological events that have caused significant mass morbidity, mortality and fear are well chronicled in human history [1]. They range from the Antonine Plague (similar to smallpox), which caused a death toll of 30% of the population, to the Plague of Justinian and the Black Death, which resulted in mortality estimates of as high as 70% of the population. Biological disasters have also occurred in modern times. Such disasters include: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002 and 2003; influenza in the 20th century; Ebola Viral Disease in West Africa in 2014","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"165 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86202852","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensing of Biological Warfare Agent Botulinum Neurotoxin A","authors":"A. Tomar, G. Gupta, M. Singh, M. Boopathi, B. Singh, R. Dhaked","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.1000142","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.1000142","url":null,"abstract":"A label free real time method was developed for the detection as well as quantification of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). In the present work, antibody against rBoNT/A-HCC fragment and synaptic vesicles (SV) were immobilized on carboxymethyldextran modified gold chip. The immobilization of BoNT/A antibody and interaction of BoNT/A with immobilized antibody were in-situ characterized by SPR and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A sample solution containing BoNT/A antigen in the concentration ranging from 0.225 fM to 4.5 fM and 0.045 fM to 5.62 fM was interacted with immobilized antibody and immobilized SV, respectively. By using kinetic evaluation software, KD (equilibrium constant) and Bmax (maximum binding capacity of analyte) values were calculated and found to be 0.53 fM and 38.23 mo for immobilized antibody and 0.22 fM and 116.0 mo for immobilized SV, respectively. Moreover, thermodynamic parameters such as change in Gibb’s free energy (ΔG), change in enthalpy (ΔH) and change in entropy (ΔS) were determined and the values revealed that the interaction between BoNT/A antigen and BoNT/A antibody as spontaneous, endothermic and entropy driven one. In order to optimize the detection method, temperature and pH variation studies were also performed.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"134 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76158117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacterial Spores and its Relatives as Agents of Mass Destruction","authors":"S. Cogliati, J. G. Costa, Facundo Rodríguez Ayala, Verónica Donato, R. Grau","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.1000141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.1000141","url":null,"abstract":"The term bioterrorism has acquired full force for the planetary consciousness from the very beginning of the new century. Indeed, from the events that occurred during October and November of 2001 with the intentional contamination with spores of pathogenic Bacillus anthracis, of letters distributed by the US public postal service and the terrorist attacks in the last months of 2015 in Egypt, France, Mali, Afghanistan, Turkey, USA and other countries have warned again about the reality of the bioterrorist threat and its immeasurable cultural and undesirable economic and political consequences. In this review we summarize the main structural characteristics that make the spores of Bacilli and Clostridia as the ideal agents for use in bioterrorism. In addition, we discuss the properties of non-sporulating Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, because of its peculiar resistance, high infectivity and environmental persistence that resembles true spores.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"4 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85082576","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Computational Analysis to Construct a Potential Post-Exposure Therapy against Pox Epidemic Using miRNAs in Silico","authors":"M. Hasan, E. McLean, O. Bagasra","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.1000140","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.1000140","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Smallpox was caused by Variola Virus (VARV) and even though it was eradicated in 1979, there exists the possibility of a zoonotic epidemic from Ortho-pox that may be pathogenic to humans. Moreover, VARV may still be used as a bioterrorist weapon. Monkey Pox Virus (MPXV), which is closely related to smallpox, is endemic to certain parts of Africa where sporadic outbreaks in humans are reported. In 2003, an outbreak of human MPXV occurred in the US after the importation of infected African rodents. Since the eradication of smallpox caused by an Ortho Pox Virus (OPXV) related to MPXV, and cessation of routine smallpox vaccination with the live Vaccinia Virus (VACV), there is an increasing population of people susceptible to VARV and perhaps certain other zoonotic OPXV diseases. Were OPXV to be employed as a bioterrorist weapon, there is distinct possibility that it would be deployed as a chimera pox, with OPXV genes being combined with those of other poxviruses (e.g., MPXV, Tatera pox, etc). In such a case, the currently approved smallpox vaccine VACV, may be ineffective. In recent years the antiviral potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been documented and there are numerous miRNAs approved for clinical trials. Most notably, miRNA-122 is in Phsae III clinical trials against Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Our laboratory is investigating the potential use of human miRNAs that can be used as postexposure silencing vehicles against pathogenic poxviruses. Specifically, our goal is to uncover miRNAs that can significantly silence pathogenic pox viruses. Our aim is to use VACV expressing the appropriate anti-poxviruses genetic fragments. Methods: We computationally analysed human miRNAs (hsa-miRNAs) that displayed near perfect homology to VARV and all major potential poxviruses genomes, including MPXV, Camel Pox (CAXV) and Molluscum Contagiosum Pox Virus (MCPV), using gene alignment tools, and determined which of these miRNAs may silence a pathogenic poxvirus. Then, we designed a VACV-based vector, expressing all of the anti-pox miRNAs, with an ability to silence any chimera or naturally-occurring serious zoonotic event. Results: We identified 26 hsa-miRNAs for VARV and 22 miRNAs for VACV, seven for CPXV, 11 for MPXV and 12 for MCPV that showed >90% homology with human miRNAs. We propose a design of a recombinant VACV that expresses all the anti-pox viruses that can quell, essentially, any pathogenic poxvirus that can be a threat to humans. Conclusion: We present evidence, using bioinformatics tools, that a new recombinant VACV can be constructed and used as a post-exposure therapy in the case of a zoonotic outbreak or a bioweapon chimera pox created by genetic engineering.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"45 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80952898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biodefense System - Communicable Diseases and Public Health","authors":"V. Radosavljevic","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.1000E121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.1000E121","url":null,"abstract":"As a tool for carrying out mechanism of biological attack/threats prevention scientific community should improve and define: strategy of deterrence, strategy of intelligence [4], strategy for dual-use research control and strategy for environment control (in regard to highly dangerous communicable diseases) [5]. So, we decided to organize a scientific conference with top experts about the above mentioned topics to elaborate them and complete biodefense system.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"29 1","pages":"1-1"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80346645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"All Hazards Receipt Facility (AHRF) Testing Algorithm Modifications for Enhanced Screening and Safety","authors":"Michael J. Perry, Alan J Antenucci, Cass, ra D Kelly-Cirino, M. Heyl, K. Aldous, C. Egan","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.1000139","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.1000139","url":null,"abstract":"After the terrorist events of 2001, it became rapidly apparent that a comprehensive laboratory detection and response capacity was urgently needed. In the past decade significant work has been done at the local, state and federal level to increase our nation’s emergency response framework. An integral part of this system was the development and construction of the All Hazards Receipt Facility by the Department of Homeland Security. The AHRF is a mobile, selfcontained laboratory designed to screen uncharacterized suspicious substances for chemical, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats prior to acceptance at a Laboratory Response Network facility, or other testing laboratory. The Wadsworth Centre, New York State Department of Health was one of two sites selected to evaluate the prototype AHRF unit and exercise the testing algorithms for rule out of acute hazards. The original testing algorithm, developed by the Department of Homeland Security and Environmental Protection Agency, has been revised and updated by the Wadsworth Centre’s Biodefense Laboratory. The improved screening protocol enhances the safety of laboratory staff, mitigates hazards that could cause serious damage to the facility and increases public safety. In addition, the modified testing algorithm was developed to streamline sample testing. The changes have significantly decreased result turnaround- times, allow for increased sample throughput thus enhancing workflow. The All Hazards approach to sample analysis requires comprehensive testing of multiple threats with minimal sample destruction to ensure sufficient sample remains for both evidentiary and confirmatory testing. Our screening protocol combines non-destructive handheld detectors and limited sample volume colorimetric test kits to achieve this goal.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83308209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Discerning Viable from Nonviable Yersinia Pestis pgm- and Bacillus Anthracis Sterne using Propidium Monoazide in the Presence of White Powders","authors":"B. M. Hess, B. D. Kaiser, M. A. Sydor, D. Wunschel, C. Bruckner-Lea, J. Hutchison","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.1000138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.1000138","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose of the study To develop and optimize an assay to determine viability status of Bacillus anthracis Sterne and Yersinia pestis pgm- strains in the presence of white powders by coupling propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment with real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis. Approach and results After gaining entry to intracellular space, PMA can be exported by metabolically active cells. The PMA remaining in nonviable cells binds DNA, thereby increasing qPCR assay cycle threshold (CT) values compared to untreated samples. Dye concentration, cell number and fitness, incubation time, inactivation methods, and assay buffer were optimized for a Gram-positive pathogen, B. anthracis Sterne, and a gram negative pathogen, Y. pestis pgm-. Differences in CT values in nonviable cells compared to untreated samples were consistently > 9 for both B. anthracis Sterne vegetative cells and Y. pestis pgm- in the presence and absence of three different white powders. Our method eliminates the need for a DNA extraction step prior to detection by qPCR. Significance of the Study The method developed for simultaneous detection and viability assessment for B. anthracis and Y. pestis can be employed in forming decisions about the severity of a bio threat event or the safety of food.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"44 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74049753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reducing the Demand for Bio-Weapons","authors":"C. Butler","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.1000E120","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.1000E120","url":null,"abstract":"Fifteen years ago I published in the Lancet appealing for a reduction in the threat of biological weapons by reducing global inequalities [1]. That was before the terrorist attacks on the US on September 11, 2001, before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and before the emergence of the Islamic state and other organizations such as Boko Haram [2]. It was also before climate change emerged as a definite “threat multiplier” of conflict, famine, mass migration [3] and, by extension, of biological war.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77248497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Overview of Detection and Neutralization of Chemical Warfare Agents Using Metal Organic Frameworks","authors":"R. Vemuri, Paul D. Armatis, J. Bontha, B. McGrail, R. Motkuri","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.1000137","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.1000137","url":null,"abstract":"Chemical and biological warfare agents (CBWAs) are highly toxic compounds. Safe and effective ways of detection and neutralization is very important with reference to human life and environment. In this article, we present a brief outline on various engineered porous materials developed for detection/destruction of CBWAs.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"10 1","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86578669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}