Publications

utilization of the rpob gene as a specific chromosomal marker for real-time pcr detection of bacillus anthracis.	the potential use of bacillus anthracis as a weapon of mass destruction poses a threat to humans, domesticated animals, and wildlife and necessitates the need for a rapid and highly specific detection assay. we have developed a real-time pcr-based assay for the specific detection of b. anthracis by taking advantage of the unique nucleotide sequence of the b. anthracis rpob gene. variable region 1 of the rpob gene was sequenced from 36 bacillus strains, including 16 b. anthracis strains and 20 ot ...	2001	11472954
susceptibility of irradiated mice to bacillus anthracis sterne by the intratracheal route of infection.	the susceptibility of sublethally irradiated mice to pulmonary infection with bacillus anthracis was investigated in a mouse model. female b6d2f1/j mice were challenged intratracheally with 4.3 x 10(6), 3.7 x 10(7) and 4.4 x 10(8) cfu of b. anthracis sterne spores 4 days after 60co gamma-radiation at a dose of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 gy. bacterial cultures were obtained from lung, spleen homogenates and heart blood. a biphasic mode of mortality was observed, with a constant response of up to 3 ...	2001	11478674
passive transfer of protection against bacillus anthracis infection in a murine model.	passive transfer of lymphocytes and sera from mice immunised using two different formulations containing recombinant protective antigen (rpa) have been used to further elucidate the mechanism of protection against bacillus anthracis infection. the results demonstrated that an antibody response maybe important in protection against b. anthracis infection, under the conditions tested. the results provide further data for the development of an improved anthrax vaccine.	2001	11483266
rapid purification of recombinant anthrax-protective antigen under nondenaturing conditions.	anthrax-protective antigen is the central moiety of the anthrax toxin complex that mediates the entry of the other two toxin components, lethal factor and edema factor into the cells. it is also the main immunogen of the cell-free vaccine against anthrax. however, in addition to pa, the vaccine contains trace amounts of other culture-derived proteins that contribute to the side effects of the vaccine like pain, edema, erythrema, etc. thus there is a need to develop high-resolution purification m ...	2001	11485300
[current threat: anthrax].		2001	11496783
ct and mr findings of anthrax meningoencephalitis: report of two cases and review of the literature.	anthrax meningoencephalitis is a rare complication of infection with bacillus anthracis and generally produces a hemorrhagic meningoencephalitis. we present the ct and mr imaging findings in two patients demonstrating subarachnoid, intracerebral, and intraventricular hemorrhage with leptomeningeal enhancement.	2001	11498418
participation of residue f552 in domain iii of the protective antigen in the biological activity of anthrax lethal toxin.	the protective antigen (pa) component of anthrax toxin translocates the catalytic moieties lethal factor (lf) and edema factor (ef) into the cytosol. the proteolytically activated 63 kda form of pa (pa63) has the ability to oligomerize and bind lf/ef. pa has four distinct domains performing specialized functions; whereas the function of domains i, ii and iv has been well characterized, domain iii has no known role in the biological activity of pa. here we report the role of amino acid residues l ...	2001	11501759
the legacy of robert koch.		2001	11520262
in vitro correlate of immunity in a rabbit model of inhalational anthrax.	a serological correlate of vaccine-induced immunity was identified in the rabbit model of inhalational anthrax. animals were inoculated intramuscularly at 0 and 4 weeks with varying doses of anthrax vaccine adsorbed (ava) ranging from a human dose to a 1:256 dilution in phosphate-buffered saline (pbs). at 6 and 10 weeks, both the quantitative anti-protective antigen (pa) igg elisa and the toxin-neutralizing antibody (tna) assays were used to measure antibody levels to pa. rabbits were aerosol-ch ...	2001	11535328
anthrax.	bacillus anthracis was shown to be the etiological agent of anthrax by r. koch and l. pasteur at the end of the nineteenth century. the concepts on which medical microbiology are based arose from their work on this bacterium. the link between plasmids and major virulence factors of b. anthracis was not discovered until the 1980s. the three toxin components are organized in two a-b type toxins, and the bacilli are covered by an antiphagocytic polyglutamic capsule. structure-function analysis of t ...	2001	11544370
bioterrorism: a threat for which we are ill prepared.	of the weapons of mass destruction, the biological ones are the most feared and bioterrorism has become one of the most vicious threats to civilized society in recent times. biological weapons have been sporadically used for centuries. despite international regulations, there has been a global re-emergence of the threat of biological warfare. as many as 17 countries are suspected of either including or developing biological agents in their weapons programmes. in the past decade, a number of terr ...	2001	11547531
purification of anthrax edema factor from escherichia coli and identification of residues required for binding to anthrax protective antigen.	the structural gene for anthrax edema factor (ef) was expressed in escherichia coli under the control of a powerful t5 promoter to yield the 89-kda recombinant protein that reacted with anti-ef antibodies. recombinant ef was purified to homogeneity by a two-step procedure involving metal chelate affinity chromatography and cation-exchange chromatography. from 1 liter of culture, 2.5 mg of biologically active ef was easily purified. this is the first report of purification of anthrax ef from e. c ...	2001	11553601
hydrophobic residues phe552, phe554, ile562, leu566, and ile574 are required for oligomerization of anthrax protective antigen.	anthrax protective antigen (pa) plays a central role in facilitating the entry of active toxin components, namely, lethal factor and edema factor, into the cells. pa is also the main immunogen of both human and veterinary vaccine against anthrax. during host cell intoxication, protective antigen binds to the receptors on cell surface, gets proteolytically activated, oligomerizes to form a heptamer and binds to lethal factor or edema factor. the complex, formed by binding of lethal factor or edem ...	2001	11554763
detection of anthrax spores from the air by real-time pcr.	to detect and isolate bacillus anthracis from the air by a simple and rapid procedure.	2001	11555211
a simple and sensitive detection system for bacillus anthracis in meat and tissue.	to detect and isolate bacillus anthracis from meat and tissue by rapid and simple procedures.	2001	11556906
detection of anthrax spores in endemic regions of northern canada.	to determine the level of anthrax spore contamination in endemic regions of northern canada between outbreaks.	2001	11556908
robust hiv type 2 cellular immune response measured by a modified anthrax toxin-based enzyme-linked immunospot assay.	evaluation of immune mechanisms responsible for control of viral replication is critical to understanding hiv-2 attenuated biological characteristics in pathogenesis and transmission. evaluation of the cellular immune response is often based on labor-intensive techniques that limit the scope of most studies performed. a simple and rapid anthrax toxin-based elispot method to assess hiv-2 cellular immune response was developed. the modified anthrax toxin-based antigen presentation process performe ...	2001	11559425
predicting the clinical status of human breast cancer by using gene expression profiles.	prognostic and predictive factors are indispensable tools in the treatment of patients with neoplastic disease. for the most part, such factors rely on a few specific cell surface, histological, or gross pathologic features. gene expression assays have the potential to supplement what were previously a few distinct features with many thousands of features. we have developed bayesian regression models that provide predictive capability based on gene expression data derived from dna microarray ana ...	2001	11562467
the cell envelope-bound metalloprotease (camelysin) from bacillus cereus is a possible pathogenic factor.	a novel membrane proteinase of the nosocomial important bacteria species bacillus cereus (synonyms: camelysin, ccmp) was purified up to homogeneity as was shown by mass spectrometry in its amphiphilic form. camelysin is a neutral metalloprotease with a molecular mass of 19 kda. its unique n-terminus phe-phe-ser-asp-lys-glu-val-ser-asn-asn-thr-phe-ala-ala-gly-thr-leu-asp-leu-thr-leu-asn-pro-lys-thr-leu-val-asp-(ile-lys-asp)- was not detected in the protein data bases during blast searches, but in ...	2001	11566257
us biological defence research under the spotlight.		2001	11567711
fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis of norwegian bacillus cereus and bacillus thuringiensis soil isolates.	we examined 154 norwegian b. cereus and b. thuringiensis soil isolates (collected from five different locations), 8 b. cereus and 2 b. thuringiensis reference strains, and 2 bacillus anthracis strains by using fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism (aflp). we employed a novel fragment identification approach based on a hierarchical agglomerative clustering routine that identifies fragments in an automated fashion. no method is free of error, and we identified the major sources so tha ...	2001	11571195
clinicopathologic aspects of bacterial agents.	bacteria were the first organisms recognized for their potential as agents of bioaggression and the possibility of their use by a terrorist or rogue nation is considered a significant threat. five of the more likely agents (anthrax, plague, tularemia, q fever, and brucellosis) are reviewed with emphasis on their epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and pathology. particular emphasis is given to the presentation of the diseases as they may appear after use in a biowarfare scenario.	2001	11572140
inhibition of axotomy-induced neuronal apoptosis by extracellular delivery of a bcl-xl fusion protein.	bcl-2 and bcl-xl prevent neuronal apoptosis during development, neurodegenerative disease, and trauma. to test a new anti-apoptosis strategy for neuroprotection, we engineered nontoxic components of anthrax toxin into a bcl-xl delivery system. delivery of bcl-xl by this system prevented apoptosis of cultured rat cerebellar granule cells and macrophages, and the prevention depended on both the bcl-xl and the anthrax toxin receptor binding/translocation moieties. furthermore, neuronal death in viv ...	2001	11574549
from the centers for disease control and prevention. human anthrax associated with an epizootic among livestock--north dakota, 2000.		2001	11575325
the development of new vaccines against bacillus anthracis.		2001	11576296
distribution of s-layers on the surface of bacillus cereus strains: phylogenetic origin and ecological pressure.	bacillus anthracis, bacillus cereus and bacillus thuringiensis have been described as members of the bacillus cereus group but are, in fact, one species. b. anthracis is a mammal pathogen, b. thuringiensis an entomopathogen and b. cereus a ubiquitous soil bacterium and an occasional human pathogen. in two clinical isolates of b. cereus, in some b. thuringiensis strains and in b. anthracis, an s-layer has been described. we investigated how the s-layer is distributed in b. cereus, and whether phy ...	2001	11578310
designing a polyvalent inhibitor of anthrax toxin.	screening peptide libraries is a proven strategy for identifying inhibitors of protein-ligand interactions. compounds identified in these screens often bind to their targets with low affinities. when the target protein is present at a high density on the surface of cells or other biological surfaces, it is sometimes possible to increase the biological activity of a weakly binding ligand by presenting multiple copies of it on the same molecule. we isolated a peptide from a phage display library t ...	2001	11581662
detoxification of a bacterial toxin by the toxin itself.		2001	11583789
kif1c, a kinesin-like motor protein, mediates mouse macrophage resistance to anthrax lethal factor.	inbred mouse strains exhibit striking differences in the susceptibility of their macrophages to the effects of anthrax lethal toxin (letx). previous data has shown that this difference in susceptibility lies downstream of toxin entry into macrophages. a locus controlling this phenotype, called ltxs1, has been mapped to chromosome 11, but the responsible gene has not been identified.	2001	11591317
toxins of bacillus anthracis.	bacillus anthracis, a gram positive bacterium, is the causative agent of anthrax. this organism is capsulogen and toxinogenic. it secretes two toxins which are composed of three proteins: the protective antigen (pa), the lethal factor (lf) and the edema factor (ef). the lethal toxin (pa+lf) provokes a subit death in animals, the edema toxin (pa+ef) induces edema. the edema and the lethal factors are internalised into the eukaryotic target cells via the protective antigen. ef and lf exert a calmo ...	2001	11595637
anthrax toxin.	anthrax is primarily a disease of herbivores caused by gram-positive, aerobic, spore-forming bacillus anthracis. humans are accidental hosts through the food of animal origin and animal products. anthrax is prevelant in most parts of the globe, and cases of anthrax have been reported from almost every country. three forms of the disease have been recognized: cutaneous (through skin), gastrointestinal (through alimentary tract), and pulmonary (by inhalation of spores). the major virulence factors ...	2001	11596878
drugs and vaccines for biological weapons.		2001	11606896
genetic sleuths rush to identify anthrax strains in mail attacks.		2001	11606978
[anthrax: a malady of animals and of man which hides in the earth].	anthrax is an infectious disease of herbivores, especially sheep and cattle, but also of horses, of pigs, of dogs, of wild animals and of humans. bacillus anthracis causes the disease. this bacterium needs plenty of oxygen to procreate and to produce resistant spores, which remains viable in the soil during 3.5 years, at times during 15-20 years. the author tries to follow step by step the evolution of the ideas concerning the origin and the pathology as well as of the veterinarians measures ag ...	1997	11619781
diseases revisited, or anthrax and bovine spongiform encephalopathy.		1992	11623149
[zoeros pasha's report presented to the sultinate on his return from paris].	the ottoman empire dispatched a committee consisting of zoeros pasha, the president, dr. hüseyin remzi and veterinarian hüseyin hüsnü, who were members sent to learn how the method of the vaccination of rabies was practiced in paris in 1886. zoeros pasha relates their studies in paris, as well as his idea on the novelties he observed there and comments on the advantages of them in case of application in the empire, in his report dated december 29th of 1886, prepared on his return from paris. zoe ...	1995	11625087
[not available].		1973	11626873
[not available].		1978	11627960
the control of woolsorter's disease.		1975	11630665
the 1919 anthrax outbreak in louisiana.		2000	11640246
bioterrorism. this time it was real: knowledge of anthrax put to the test.		2001	11641469
bioterrorism. vaccines for biodefense: a system in distress.		2001	11641476
airman discharged for refusal to take anthrax vaccine as rebellion grows.		1999	11647631
appropriate responses to bioterrorist threats.		2001	11668117
us fear of bioterrorism spreads as anthrax cases increase.		2001	11668122
uk doctors given guidance on dealing with anthrax.		2001	11668123
human anthrax in india: urgent need for effective prevention.	anthrax is a zoonotic illness caused by bacillus anthracis. sporadic cases continue to be reported from many parts of the world. from india, both sporadic cases and outbreaks are being reported regularly. the union territory of pondicherry (a former french colony) lies on the coast of bay of bengal, where the incidence of anthrax is on the rise with 28 cases being detected in the year 1999 and 2000 alone. so far, about 34 human cases have been encountered in this region. recently, an increase in ...	2000	11668934
preparedness and response to bioterrorism.	as we enter the 21st century the threats of biological warfare and bioterrorism (so called asymmetric threats) appear to be more real than ever before. historical evidence suggests that biological weapons have been used, with varying degrees of success, for many centuries. despite the international agreements to ban such weapons, namely the 1925 geneva protocol and the 1975 biological and toxin weapons convention, there is no effective international mechanism for challenging either the developme ...	2001	11676515
anthrax blamed as two postal workers die in united states.		2001	11679374
bioterrorism. researchers question obsession with cipro.		2001	11679638
war on terror. anxious about anthrax.		2001	11682908
war on terror. a run on antibiotics.		2001	11682909
danger: handle with care.		2001	11682910
shadow of fear.		2001	11682911
anthrax. deadly delivery.		2001	11682912
a new state of fear.		2001	11682956
protecting yourself.		2001	11682958
bioterrorism: safeguarding the public's health.		2001	11684202
update: investigation of anthrax associated with intentional exposure and interim public health guidelines, october 2001.	on october 4, 2001, cdc and state and local public health authorities reported a case of inhalational anthrax in florida. additional cases of anthrax subsequently have been reported from florida and new york city. this report updates the findings of these case investigations, which indicate that infections were caused by the intentional release of bacillus anthracis. this report also includes interim guidelines for postexposure prophylaxis for prevention of inhalational anthrax and other informa ...	2001	11686472
recognition of illness associated with the intentional release of a biologic agent.	on september 11, 2001, following the terrorist incidents in new york city and washington, d.c., cdc recommended heightened surveillance for any unusual disease occurrence or increased numbers of illnesses that might be associated with the terrorist attacks. subsequently, cases of anthrax in florida and new york city have demonstrated the risks associated with intentional release of biologic agents. this report provides guidance for health-care providers and public health personnel about recogniz ...	2001	11686473
post-exposure anthrax prophylaxis.		2001	11689760
us expands anti-bioterrorist measures.		2001	11689831
a battle cry for biomedicine.		2001	11689860
bioterrorism threat becomes reality.		2001	11689863
crackdown on hazardous agents raises concern for bona fide labs.		2001	11689899
science marshalled to cut bioterror confusion.		2001	11689904
prophylactic treatment of anthrax with antibiotics.		2001	11691746
how anthrax gets a grip on cells.		2001	11691752
toll of anthrax cases reaches 15.		2001	11691753
bayer cuts price of ciprofloxacin after bush threatens to buy generics.		2001	11691754
anthrax, united states of america (update).		2001	11697083
homeland insecurity.		2001	11699131
a dose of reality for the health watchdogs.		2001	11699134
be a patriot. don't hoard cipro!		2001	11699135
perspectives. terrorism event no time to be learning on the job.		2001	11699157
tools of mass distraction.		2001	11699228
a no-show vaccine--for a mere $126 million. deal?		2001	11699229
confusion in spades. the anthrax scares reveal a public-health system in disarray.		2001	11699231
war on terror: biochem. tracking anthrax.		2001	11699428
war on terror. epidemic threats.		2001	11699429
attempts to stem anthrax fears stumble.		2001	11699540
update: investigation of bioterrorism-related anthrax and interim guidelines for exposure management and antimicrobial therapy, october 2001.	since october 3, 2001, cdc and state and local public health authorities have been investigating cases of bioterrorism-related anthrax. this report updates previous findings, provides new information on case investigations in two additional areas, presents the susceptibility patterns of bacillus anthracis isolates, and provides interim recommendations for managing potential threats and exposures and for treating anthrax.	2001	11699843
universities address mail security as anthrax fears rise.		2001	11700511
tackling anthrax.		2001	11700539
identification of the cellular receptor for anthrax toxin.	the tripartite toxin secreted by bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, helps the bacterium evade the immune system and can kill the host during a systemic infection. two components of the toxin enzymatically modify substrates within the cytosol of mammalian cells: oedema factor (of) is an adenylate cyclase that impairs host defences through a variety of mechanisms including inhibiting phagocytosis; lethal factor (lf) is a zinc-dependent protease that cleaves mitogen-activated prote ...	2001	11700562
crystal structure of the anthrax lethal factor.	lethal factor (lf) is a protein (relative molecular mass 90,000) that is critical in the pathogenesis of anthrax. it is a highly specific protease that cleaves members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (mapkk) family near to their amino termini, leading to the inhibition of one or more signalling pathways. here we describe the crystal structure of lf and its complex with the n terminus of mapkk-2. lf comprises four domains: domain i binds the membrane-translocating component of anth ...	2001	11700563
counterterrorism. u.s. enlists researchers as fight widens against bioterrorism.		2001	11701894
anthrax. biodefense hampered by inadequate tests.		2001	11701907
chemistry. nota bene: know thine enemy.		2001	11701920
anthrax.		2001	11702421
experts doubts us is ready for biowarfare attack.		2001	11702725
cutaneous bacillus anthracis infection.		2001	11704683
images in clinical medicine. cutaneous anthrax infection.		2001	11704684
index case of fatal inhalational anthrax due to bioterrorism in the united states.		2001	11704685
recognition and management of anthrax--an update.		2001	11704686
risk of deliberately induced anthrax outbreak.		2001	11705480
letter in pakistan tests positive for anthrax spores.		2001	11705501
us anthrax scares prompt action on bioterrorism.		2001	11705502
anthrax in usa--attacks "deadly but treatable".		2001	11705575
pediatric implications in bioterrorism part ii: postexposure diagnosis and treatment.	bioterrorism is an old tactic used in warfare. the use of fatal diseases or man-made poisons to subdue others has not been limited to wartime. trauma personnel should be aware of commonly used agents, the signs and symptoms of their exposure, and recommended treatment. children can be victims of terrorists' acts and need special attention because of their unique response to exposure, varying dosages of medications, and lack of active immunity.	2001	11707769