{"title":"Resilient infrastructure and building security: Defending buildings against bioterror attacks","authors":"Jonathon Taylor Ka man Lai, HerveBorrion","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.S1.009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.S1.009","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"51 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75150772","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":"Efficacy of the new Yersinia pestis subunit vaccine in animal models of plague","authors":"K. Amemiya","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.S1.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.S1.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"4 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78428863","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":"Nurse partnerships to improve integrated responses in vulnerable populations","authors":"Charlotte Sortedahl","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.S1.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.S1.002","url":null,"abstract":"V functional proteins and physiologically active peptides are firstly synthesized as precursor proteins and matured by specific proteolytic cleavages of them. These proteins and peptides are then degraded by various proteases to inactivate. During these maturation and degradation processes, many fragmented peptides are simultaneously produced, but their physiological roles have not been well elucidated. Recently, we discovered novel bioactive peptides produced from mitochondrial proteins including cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIII, cytochrome b, and cytochrome c which efficiently activate neutrophils. We also found the presence of many neutrophil-activating peptides produced from various mitochondrial proteins. We named such bioactive peptides hidden in protein structures “cryptides” and those cryptides that are produced from mitochondrial proteins “mitocryptides”. Here, we report comprehensive identification of various mitocryptides utilizing bioinformatic strategies. We also present the characterization of novel accumulative signaling mechanisms in which many cryptides sharing similar physicochemical properties but having different amino acid sequences cooperatively regulate cellular functions.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"498 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77059599","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}
S. Kane, Sanjiv R. Shah, S. Létant, G. Murphy, T. Alfaro, J. R. Avila, E. Salazar, M. Mullins, T. Nichols
{"title":"Operational evaluation of the rapid viability PCR method for post-decontamination clearance sampling.","authors":"S. Kane, Sanjiv R. Shah, S. Létant, G. Murphy, T. Alfaro, J. R. Avila, E. Salazar, M. Mullins, T. Nichols","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.S3-016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.S3-016","url":null,"abstract":"The Rapid Viability Polymerase Chain Reaction (RV-PCR) method was evaluated during the Bio-Response Operational Testing and Evaluation (BOTE), an interagency project to evaluate field-level facility biological remediation, using leading decontamination technologies. The tests were performed using an intentional release (aerosolization) of spores of Bacillus atrophaeus subspecies globigii (BG), as a surrogate for Bacillus anthracis, the etiologic agent for anthrax. Three decontamination methods were assessed including fumigation with vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP), fumigation with chlorine dioxide (CD), and a surface treatment process using pH-adjusted bleach.The RV-PCR method was developed to rapidly detect live B. anthracis spores during a bioterrorism event. The method uses a change in realtime PCR response before and after a nine hour incubation step, to determine the presence of viable bacterial spores in the sample; the method was recently verified for air filter, wipe and water samples at the 10-spore level for B. anthracis Ames spores, and was also developed for swab, sponge-stick, and vacuum sock/filter samples. In the method, high throughput sample processing is combined with PCR-based analysis before and after a rapid culture step to speed viability determination, especially for complex surface and environmental samples that present challenges to current culture-based methods. In the BOTE project, a total of 159 surface wipe samples from post-decontamination events were analyzed by splitting the suspension after spore recovery into two equal parts, with one part analyzed by RV-PCR and the other part by culture after concentrating to the same volume. In the BOTE project, the RV-PCR method provided rapid results for post-decontamination samples that were 98% (156/159 samples) consistent with results from culture analysis. The percentage agreement was noteworthy, given the large number of samples containing low spore levels. For the Post-VHP, Post-Bleach, and Post-CD event samples, the percentage agreement was 93% (41/44 samples), 100% (47/47 samples), and 100% (68/68 samples), respectively. The RV-PCR method performed well for the surrogate BG spores exposed to decontaminants at real-world application levels, and with wipe samples containing background debris and indigenous microbial populations.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81463927","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":"Current Trends in Bioterrorism and Biodefense","authors":"J. Hust, N. Burgis","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.S3-E002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.S3-E002","url":null,"abstract":"ISSN:2157-2526 JBTBD, an open access journal Advances in Biosciences: Bioterrorism J Bioterr Biodef Current trends in bioterrorism and biodefense research have resulted in the realization of cheap, effective and powerful methods of both detection and protection based biodefense strategies. For the first time, the U.S. FDA has approved a monoclonal antibody (mAb) for antibacterial uses: ABthrax for treatment of inhalational anthrax [1]. This event suggests exciting new trends in the licensing and commercial production of novel prophylactic technologies. To foster further development of emerging technologies, it is essential that funding for research programs which contribute to public health and safety remains a high priority.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"193 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74470766","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}
R. Hammamieh, N. Chakraborty, Mohsen Barmada, M. Hellman, S. Muhie, James F. Koterski, R. Das, M. Jett
{"title":"Transcriptional profiling of human Peripheral Blood mononuclear cells exposed to Bacillus anthracis in vitro","authors":"R. Hammamieh, N. Chakraborty, Mohsen Barmada, M. Hellman, S. Muhie, James F. Koterski, R. Das, M. Jett","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.S3-014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.S3-014","url":null,"abstract":"Dependable and efficient diagnosis of Bacillus anthracis has long been a major concern for caregivers. Nonspecific symptoms during early illness often misguide the diagnosis; thereby jeopardize the proper therapeutic intervention. It is, therefore, crucial to understand the initial events that take place in a host soon after the onset of infection. The present study examines the transcriptional profile of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) challenged by B. anthracis (BA) spores in vitro, and cultured for 2 hrs, 4hrs, 6 hrs, 8 hrs and 24 hrs, respectively. Transcriptomic assays support the past findings and identify novel targets for diagnosis and anthrax therapy. We observe rapid elevation of a number of transcripts encoding genes for cytokines, chemokines, and other uptake receptors, concurrently with onset of infection. Delayed responses to the BA include gradual attenuation of the genes linked with pathogenic uptake, such as MyD88 and TLR4, putatively extending the duration of host vulnerability. The signs of altering host defenses, nevertheless are evident immediately after the exposure to the B. anthracis spores. The pathogenic insult selectively induces some of the key genes for apoptotic pathways regulated by the toll-like receptors and the caspase cascade; and suppresses the transcripts related to the p38MAPK-dependent pathways. The T-cell receptors and CD3-mediated antigenic recognition processes are possibly restrained, and the expression of CD79, a B-cell committed CD marker, is suppressed. Overall, BA challenges both innate and adaptive immunity processes and their key interfaces during the early course of infection. We identified several early targets across the networks and pathways, primarily related to chemotaxis and apoptosis of immune cells that can potentially facilitate development of next generation anthrax prevention strategies.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72738043","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":"Security in a goldfish bowl: the NSABB's exacerbation of the bioterrorism threat.","authors":"B. Hanley","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.S3-013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.S3-013","url":null,"abstract":"If our potential adversaries are understood, publicity drawing the attention of bioterrorists to plausible bioweapons is the primary contribution the NSABB makes by censorship recommendations. Attempting censorship by attracting the entire world’s attention to information of concern is obviously counterproductive. It is equally problematic to curb research in an attempt to prevent those outside our borders from understanding how to create bioweapons. That horse is, “Out of the barn and in the next county”. Locking the barn door is not going to change this. Proliferation of molecular biology, vaccine and other knowledge across the world has already taken place. Thus, the best course is to make sure that we understand what human bioterrorists could do as well as we understand what nature can do. To date, nature has been the worst bioterrorist, but in theory human engineering can be worse. Medicine is biodefense. The focus needs to be on response capability and surveillance, just as in any other infectious disease control. Attempting to track, outwit or contain terrorists should be left to clandestine intelligence services that are equipped to understand and interdict them. Perhaps it is true that such capabilities in our clandestine services are poorly developed or directed. The remedy for that, though, is to work to improve matters by prodding politicians rather than operate independently in attempts at interdiction that may be counterproductive. Science, law enforcement, the military and intelligence services need to work together and understand each other’s appropriate roles.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"21 1","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72923015","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":"Medical Countermeasures, Protection and Treatment, against the Brucella species","authors":"J. Cherwonogrodzky","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.S3-012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.S3-012","url":null,"abstract":"The Brucella species are easily grown, highly infectious to humans by the aerosol route and resistant to harsh environments. These traits have contributed to these being part of the biological weapons programs in the United States (1943-1969), former Soviet Union (1920s-1990s), and Iraq (1973-1991). Brucella species also continue to be an agricultural and public health concern, afflicting about 10% of the livestock and about 500,000 people in developing countries. Although it is generally assumed that infections can be readily cleared with aggressive antibiotic therapy, relapses occur and recent PCR results on the sera of former brucellosis patients suggest that the infections are never totally eliminated. However, within this decade there is likely to be several successes for improved medical countermeasures (protection and treatment) against this bacterium, spurred by recent advances for subunit vaccines, immunomodulators, anti-Brucella antibodies, serum surrogate markers, and liposomal delivery of therapeutics. These discoveries are exciting but perhaps the greatest contribution will be indirect. The new concepts and approaches to improve medical countermeasures against the Brucella species may in turn also apply to several other pathogens equally difficult to protect against or treat.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"36 1","pages":"1-2"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79328835","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}
Jonathon Taylor, D. Margaritis, Z. Nasir, H. Borrion, K. Lai
{"title":"The role of protection measures and their interaction in determining building vulnerability and resilience to bioterrorism","authors":"Jonathon Taylor, D. Margaritis, Z. Nasir, H. Borrion, K. Lai","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.1000123","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.1000123","url":null,"abstract":"Understanding the risk presented to buildings by bioterrorism has been a topic of research interest in recent years. Risk assessment methodologies and guidelines for the protection of buildings have been developed by a number of researchers, but it remains difficult to quantify the vulnerability and resilience of a building. It is an important issue from both biosecurity investment and operation point of view because different measures have different cost and operation implications. This paper reviews existing risk assessment methodologies, introduces a novel framework for classifying protection measures, and determines the inter-relation of the framework components and building vulnerability and resilience using a fault tree analysis within a biosecurity network system. Future work will develop weighting values for the different protection measures within the framework, allowing for the calculation of bioterrorism resilience of existing buildings, and to provide a decision making guide for building architects, builders, and managers for new and retrofitted buildings.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"35 1","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86822454","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}
R. Byers, S. Medley, M. Dickens, K. Hofacre, M. A. Samsonow, M. L. Hoek
{"title":"Transfer and reaerosolization of biological contaminant following field technician servicing of an aerosol sampler.","authors":"R. Byers, S. Medley, M. Dickens, K. Hofacre, M. A. Samsonow, M. L. Hoek","doi":"10.4172/2157-2526.S3-011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-2526.S3-011","url":null,"abstract":"Over the last several years, aerosol samplers have been fielded in many locations to collect biological agents in the air, providing a sample that, once analyzed, will alert safety and public health officials of potential bioterrorism events. If a biological agent was present at the sampling location, the collector and surrounding area may be contaminated due to bioaerosol deposition, possibly posing a hazard to the technician maintaining the aerosol sampler. The technician may, in turn, serve as a source for cross-contamination to clean areas subsequently visited, potentially producing a hazard to others if transferred to indoor settings, such as a job site or analysis laboratory. To investigate our hypothesis about these potential exposure sources and cross-contamination, a study was performed to: (1) examine biological material transfer from a contaminated site to an individual; and (2) determine aerosol resuspension levels due to typical personnel activity at a contaminated, paved bioaerosol sampling site. Analysis of air samples indicated reaerosolization of spore-containing particles upon disturbance of a contaminated site by a field technician, and analysis of swatches taken from the technician’s clothing indicated substantial transfer of spores. These results provide insight into sources of cross-contamination and potential steps to mitigate consequences of infectious contaminant transfer, and also demonstrate potential exposure hazards for technicians servicing fielded bioaerosol collectors.","PeriodicalId":15179,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79688326","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}