Publications

the history of woolsorters' disease: a yorkshire beginning with an international future?	woolsorters' disease was a feared industrial disease associated primarily with yorkshire's textile industry of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. early occupational health methods were attempted locally before concerted national efforts produced legislative measures. when its link with anthrax was established, attention in prevention focused upon chemical disinfection methods. together, these factors were instrumental in decreasing the incidence of woolsorters' disease. however, by th ...	2004	15486181
thomas morison legge (1863-1932): the first medical factory inspector.	after a brief career in public health, thomas morison legge was appointed to become the first medical factory inspector, in 1898, and remained in post until his resignation in 1927. during his tenure in office he became the leading authority on lead poisoning and anthrax; he resigned when the government refused to ratify the white lead convention. subsequently he became the first medical adviser to the trades union congress.	2004	15486616
the adenylate cyclase toxins.	cyclic amp is a ubiquitous messenger that integrates many processes of the cell. diverse families of adenylate cyclases and phosphodiesterases stringently regulate the intracellular concentration of camp. any alteration in the cytosolic concentration of camp has a profound effect on the various processes of the cell. disruption of these cellular processes in vivo is often the most critical event in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases for animals and humans. many pathogenic bacteria secrete t ...	2004	15490970
us restrictions limit anthrax networking.		2004	15496891
communicable-disease surveillance in new jersey.	the dhss and federal agencies have expanded their surveillance efforts to improve existing methods of reporting notifiable communicable diseases and to include additional data sources that might provide a more comprehensive view of disease activity in new jersey. currently, the dhss is evaluating these efforts and recognizes several issues that need to be addressed, including: assessment of the timeliness, completeness, and accuracy of surveillance data; validation of surveillance data through c ...	2004	15497734
new jersey state public health laboratory's bioterrorism response activities.		2004	15497736
bioterrorism and compulsory vaccination: arguments for current vaccines are based on inadequate support for older vaccines.		2004	15499122
bioterrorism and compulsory vaccination: united states continues vaccinating to keep troops healthy.		2004	15499123
functional analysis of bacillus anthracis protective antigen by using neutralizing monoclonal antibodies.	protective antigen (pa) is central to the action of the lethal and edema toxins produced by bacillus anthracis. it is the common cell-binding component, mediating the translocation of the enzymatic moieties (lethal factor [lf] and edema factor) into the cytoplasm of the host cell. monoclonal antibodies (mabs) against pa, able to neutralize the activities of the toxins in vitro and in vivo, were screened. two such mabs, named 7.5 and 48.3, were purified and further characterized. mab 7.5 binds to ...	2004	15501759
cytokine response to infection with bacillus anthracis spores.	bacillus anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax, is a gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium. the inhalational form of anthrax is the most severe and is associated with rapid progression of the disease and the outcome is frequently fatal. transfer from the respiratory epithelium to regional lymph nodes appears to be an essential early step in the establishment of infection. this transfer is believed to occur by means of carriage within alveolar macrophages following phagocytosis. therefore, ...	2004	15501768
combating bioterrorism with personal computers.	using personal computers in a grid is permitting the in silico screening of millions of molecules to seek out potential inhibitors of agents that pose bioterror threats. current projects are targeting anthrax and smallpox, but the approach has many attractions for investigating any known protein target and its inhibition.	2004	15182806
esterase activity as a novel parameter of spore germination in bacillus anthracis.	spores of bacillus anthracis were shown to produce esterase activity about 4 min after exposure to conventional germinants such as combinations of amino acids and purine ribosides. neither amino acids nor ribosides alone induce germination and esterase activity. expression of esterase activity was chloramphenicol resistant, and correlated with loss of spore refractivity, a traditional parameter of early germination. based on these observations, we hypothesized that esterase activity could be use ...	2004	15184061
response of the clinical microbiology laboratory to emerging (new) and reemerging infectious diseases.		2004	15184405
recurrent, localized urticaria and erythema multiforme: a review and management of cutaneous anthrax vaccine-related events.	the october 2001 domestic anthrax attacks affected 22 people, resulting in 5 fatalities. the added global terrorist threats have created an increasing need for homeland protection, as well as protection of our widely deployed forces battling terrorism. it is now relevant for physicians to be familiar with both clinical anthrax and adverse vaccine-related events associated with the resumption of the anthrax vaccine program. dermatologists played a lead role in the initial response to the anthrax ...	2004	15186046
[immunobiological properties of 100 years old bacillus anthracis vaccine strains lange].	the results of the study of b. anthracis vaccine strains lange 1 and 2 in the form of spores after prolonged storage in 30% glycerine solution at room temperature are presented. the study revealed that spores stored for 100 years germinated and bacterial cells proved to be viable when cultivated in artificial nutrient media and in vivo. they exhibited typical cultural, morphological, biochemical, virulent, antigenic and immunogenic properties.	2004	15188571
type ii topoisomerase mutations in bacillus anthracis associated with high-level fluoroquinolone resistance.	to identify and characterize the mechanisms of high-level fluoroquinolone resistance in two strains of bacillus anthracis following serial passage in increasing concentrations of fluoroquinolones.	2004	15190035
maldi points to origin of anthrax spores.		2004	15190878
[emerging and reemerging diseases: a health problem in the americas].	in the region of the americas the emerging and reemerging infectious diseases that had the greatest impact on health, in terms of their incidence and the number of deaths that they caused during the five-year period of 1999-2003, were: malaria, yellow fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, aids, anthrax, and sars, as well as infection by hantavirus and by west nile virus. the appearance of epidemics of emerging and reemerging diseases is related to biological, social, and economic factors. growth in i ...	2004	15193185
pluronic f127-based systemic vaccine delivery systems.	we have developed a vaccine delivery system based on the non-ionic block copolymer, pluronic f127 (f127), combined with selected immunomodulators. f127-based matrices are characterized by a phenomenon known as reverse thermogelation, whereby the formulation undergoes a phase transition from liquid to gel upon reaching physiological temperatures. protein antigens (tetanus toxoid (tt), diphtheria toxoid (dt) and anthrax recombinant protective antigen (rpa)) were formulated with f127 in combination ...	2004	15193401
inhibition of furin by polyarginine-containing peptides: nanomolar inhibition by nona-d-arginine.	polyarginine-containing peptides represent potent inhibitors of furin, a mammalian endoprotease that plays an important role in metabolism, activation of pathogenic toxins, and viral proliferation. the therapeutic use of d-polyarginines is especially interesting because they are not cleaved by furin and possess inhibitory potency almost equal to l-polyarginines. in this study we attempted to determine the important elements within polyarginines that contribute to effective inhibition. structure- ...	2004	15197180
anchored periplasmic expression, a versatile technology for the isolation of high-affinity antibodies from escherichia coli-expressed libraries.	anchored periplasmic expression (apex) is a technology for the isolation of ligand-binding proteins from combinatorial libraries anchored on the periplasmic face of the inner membrane of escherichia coli. after disruption of the outer membrane by tris-edta-lysozyme, the inner-membrane-anchored proteins readily bind fluorescently labeled ligands as large as 240 kda. fluorescently labeled cells are isolated by flow cytometry, and the dna of isolated clones is rescued by pcr. by using two rounds of ...	2004	15197275
ruling out bacillus anthracis.	optimization of methods for ruling out bacillus anthracis leads to increased yields, faster turnaround times, and a lighter workload. we used 72 environmental non-b. anthracis bacilli to validate methods for ruling out b. anthracis. most effective were the use of horse blood agar, motility testing after isolates had a 2-h incubation in trypticase soy broth, and screening isolates with a b. anthracis-selective agar.	2004	15200872
on with the show.		2004	15201871
release of simulated anthrax particles from disposable respirators.	a preliminary study was undertaken to evaluate the potential for a disposable respirator that has been contaminated with anthrax spores to release spores in handling after use. the release of inert particles from disposable respirators was measured for masks dropped 3 feet onto a hard surface. ten experimental runs were conducted for each of two n95 mask types, the moldex 2200n95 and the 3m 8210. anthrax spores were simulated with a test aerosol of single and double 1-micron polystyrene spheres. ...	2004	15202151
assessment of electrical charge on airborne microorganisms by a new bioaerosol sampling method.	bioaerosol sampling is necessary to monitor and control human exposure to harmful airborne microorganisms. an important parameter affecting the collection of airborne microorganisms is the electrical charge on the microorganisms. using a new design of an electrostatic precipitator (esp) for bioaerosol sampling, the polarity and relative strength of the electrical charges on airborne microorganisms were determined in several laboratory and field environments by measuring the overall physical coll ...	2004	15204870
selection of bacillus anthracis isolates resistant to antibiotics.	long-term therapy for anthrax might induce antimicrobial resistance in bacillus anthracis. the aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of 18 different antibiotics to select resistant isolates of b. anthracis, (st-1 and sterne strains).	2004	15205405
biodefense research. accidental anthrax shipment spurs debate over safety.		2004	15205495
airborne infection with bacillus anthracis--from mills to mail.	the lack of identified exposures in 2 of the 11 cases of bioterrorism-related inhalation anthrax in 2001 raised uncertainty about the infectious dose and transmission of bacillus anthracis. we used the wells-riley mathematical model of airborne infection to estimate 1) the exposure concentrations in postal facilities where cases of inhalation anthrax occurred and 2) the risk for infection in various hypothetical scenarios of exposure to b. anthracis aerosolized from contaminated mail in resident ...	2004	15207048
swab materials and bacillus anthracis spore recovery from nonporous surfaces.	four swab materials were evaluated for their efficiency in recovery of bacillus anthracis spores from steel coupons. cotton, macrofoam, polyester, and rayon swabs were used to sample coupons inoculated with a spore suspension of known concentration. three methods of processing for the removal of spores from the swabs (vortexing, sonication, or minimal agitation) and two swab preparations (premoistened and dry) were evaluated. results indicated that premoistened swabs were more efficient at recov ...	2004	15207053
the history of biologic warfare and bioterrorism.	biologic weapons have been used since ancient times in war, and, more recently, by terrorists. from the catapulting of plague corpses over city walls in the middle ages to the bacterial contamination of salad bars in oregon in 1984 by the rajneeshee cult, the long history of biologic weapons use underscores their current threat. in preparing for the threat of biologic weapons, health care professionals should not only be familiar with the clinical presentation and pathophysiology of the diseases ...	2004	15207305
anthrax.	anthrax is an ancient disease associated with the plagues in biblical egypt and modern bioterrorism. three clinical syndromes result from exposure to anthrax spores: cutaneous,inhalational, and gastrointestinal. cutaneous anthrax is the most common naturally occurring syndrome; inhalational anthrax is most likely to result from airborne release of spores. prophylactic and early treatment can improve the mortality from inhalational anthrax. a vaccine is available, but has many limitations. new va ...	2004	15207306
high bactericidal efficiency of type iia phospholipase a2 against bacillus anthracis and inhibition of its secretion by the lethal toxin.	there is a considerable body of evidence supporting the role of secretory type ii-a phospholipase a(2) (spla(2)-iia) as an effector of the innate immune response. this enzyme also exhibits bactericidal activity especially toward gram-positive bacteria. in this study we examined the ability of spla(2)-iia to kill bacillus anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax. our results show that both germinated b. anthracis spores and encapsulated bacilli were sensitive to the bactericidal activity of re ...	2004	15210813
a generic sandwich-type biosensor with nanomolar detection limits.	a quantitative and highly sensitive, yet simple and rapid, biosensor system was developed for the detection of nucleic acid sequences that can also be adapted to the detection of antigens. a dipstick-type biosensor with liposome amplification, based on a sandwich assay format with optical detection, was combined with a simple coupling reaction that allows the transformation of the generic biosensor components to target specific ones by a mere incubation step. this biosensor platform system was d ...	2004	15214421
ricin: mechanism of toxicity, clinical manifestations, and vaccine development. a review.	ricin is one of the most potent plant toxins known, and the castor plant from which it is derived, ricinus communis, is ubiquitous. the harvesting of castor beans exceeds one million tons annually, and ricin is easier to produce than either anthrax or botulinum. as a result, ricin is a convenient, potent, and available toxin for terrorist acts. this paper will review the mechanism of toxicity, major clinical manifestations, treatment, current methods of detection, and vaccine development.	2004	15214627
is it a real risk to take ciprofloxacin?		2004	15220615
interview with donald f. thompson, md, mph, tm chief, interagency and international branch, north american aerospace defense command -- united states northern command surgeon's office by madeline drexler.		2004	15225399
communication triage: an anthrax case study.		2004	15225404
legal and public policy responses of states to bioterrorism.	in late 2001, during the aftermath of the anthrax letter attacks, model legislation was proposed to relevant state agencies to update their states' public health laws to meet the threat of bioterrorism. this legislation was the model state emergency health powers act. a concern underlying this and related efforts to address future bioterrorism threats was the perceived inadequacy of state laws to respond effectively when such threats occur. we evaluated how 4 states--utah, maine, south dakota, a ...	2004	15226125
a new family of potent ab(5) cytotoxins produced by shiga toxigenic escherichia coli.	the shiga toxigenic escherichia coli (stec) o113:h21 strain 98nk2, which was responsible for an outbreak of hemolytic uremic syndrome, secretes a highly potent and lethal subtilase cytotoxin that is unrelated to any bacterial toxin described to date. it is the prototype of a new family of ab(5) toxins, comprising a single 35-kilodalton (kd) a subunit and a pentamer of 13-kd b subunits. the a subunit is a subtilase-like serine protease distantly related to the ba_2875 gene product of bacillus ant ...	2004	15226357
development of an automated sample preparation module for environmental monitoring of biowarfare agents.	an automated sample preparation module, based upon sequential injection analysis (sia), has been developed for use within an autonomous pathogen detection system. the sia system interfaced aerosol sampling with multiplexed microsphere immunoassay-flow cytometric detection. metering and sequestering of microspheres using sia was found to be reproducible and reliable, over 24-h periods of autonomous operation. four inbuilt immunoassay controls showed excellent immunoassay and system stability over ...	2004	15228315
[some important biological active genes of bacillus anthracis and its regulation ].		2004	15231178
clinical pearls: winning photograph from the saem conference 2002.		2004	15231463
biodefense cost and consequence.		2004	15232603
initial experience with mass immunization as a bioterrorism countermeasure.	anthrax vaccine was administered to approximately 5000 individuals at a deployed location near iraq in a 1-week period. this report describes the planning and administrative process to initiate such a program, with a snapshot view of the first week of immunization. compliance with this program was important to best protect troops in this high-threat region. the authors share their experience and detail the process of handling refusals, as these are most likely to reveal themselves at the beginni ...	2004	15233330
commentary: the 2001 anthrax attacks: implications for the medical community and beyond.		2004	15234018
critical issues in bioterrorism preparedness: before and after september 2001.	the bioterrorism preparedness and response survey (bprs) was a survey of ohio local health departments' capacity to respond to bioterrorism. soon after completion of the bprs, the events of september 11 occurred, followed by the human cases of anthrax. the ohio response to bioterrorism 2001 survey (orb) identified bioterrorism preparedness issues related to the suspected anthrax incidents. the bprs measured capacity before september 11, 2001, and the orb measured ohio communities' response to wh ...	2004	15235375
the structure of the cell wall peptidoglycan of bacillus cereus rsvf1, a strain closely related to bacillus anthracis.	the peptidoglycan of bacillus cereus rsvf1, a close relative of bacillus anthracis, has several distinguishing features: the overwhelming majority of cross-linked muropeptides are dimers, higher oligomers are only present in minute quantities; and virtually all muropeptides lack the n-acetyl group from glucosamine residues, thus explaining resistance of the cell walls to lysozyme.	2004	15256021
determination of serum igg antibodies to bacillus anthracis protective antigen in environmental sampling workers using a fluorescent covalent microsphere immunoassay.	to evaluate potential exposure to bacillis anthracis (ba) spores in sampling/decontamination workers in the aftermath of an anthrax terror attack.	2004	15258278
images in emergency medicine. cutaneous anthrax.		2004	15259146
[historical perspective of smallpox in mexico: emergence, elimination, and risk of reemergence due to bioterrorism].	smallpox has been considered a disease of historical interest. however, given the 2001 terrorist events in the u.s. with intentional release of spores of bacillus anthracis, and the current political worldwide agenda, the risk of bioterrorism has become a global public health concern. the risk of an intentional release of variola virus as a biological weapon mandates a critical review of the historical impact of the disease in our country and the possible risk of its intentional reemergence. sma ...	2004	15259344
novel repression of the glucocorticoid receptor by anthrax lethal toxin.	death from anthrax has been reported to occur from systemic shock. the lethal toxin (letx) is the major effector of anthrax mortality. although the mechanism of entry of this toxin into cells is well understood, its actions once inside the cell are not as well understood. letx is known to cleave and inactivate mapkks. we have recently shown that letx represses the glucocorticoid receptor (gr) both in vitro and in vivo. this repression is partial and specific, repressing the glucocorticoid, proge ...	2004	15265771
anthrax, heart disease, and your toothbrush: an interview with 2004 ida annual session presenter dr. tom glass.		2004	15266735
anthrax kills wild chimpanzees in a tropical rainforest.	infectious disease has joined habitat loss and hunting as threats to the survival of the remaining wild populations of great apes. nevertheless, relatively little is known about the causative agents. we investigated an unusually high number of sudden deaths observed over nine months in three communities of wild chimpanzees (pan troglodytes verus) in the taï national park, ivory coast. here we report combined pathological, cytological and molecular investigations that identified bacillus anthraci ...	2004	15269768
mouse susceptibility to anthrax lethal toxin is influenced by genetic factors in addition to those controlling macrophage sensitivity.	bacillus anthracis lethal toxin (lt) produces symptoms of anthrax in mice and induces rapid lysis of macrophages (m phi) derived from certain inbred strains. we used nine inbred strains and two inducible nitric oxide synthase (inos) knockout c57bl/6j strains polymorphic for the lt m phi sensitivity kif1c locus to analyze the role of m phi sensitivity (to lysis) in lt-mediated cytokine responses and lethality. lt-mediated induction of cytokines kc, mcp-1/je, mip-2, eotaxin, and interleukin-1 beta ...	2004	15271901
murine model of pulmonary anthrax: kinetics of dissemination, histopathology, and mouse strain susceptibility.	bioweapons are most often designed for delivery to the lung, although this route is not the usual portal of entry for many of the pathogens in the natural environment. vaccines and therapeutics that are efficacious for natural routes of infection may not be effective against the pulmonary route. pulmonary models are needed to investigate the importance of specific bacterial genes in virulence, to identify components of the host immune system that are important in providing innate and acquired pr ...	2004	15271942
induction of protective immunity against lethal anthrax challenge with a patch.	transcutaneous immunization (tci) is a needle-free technique that delivers antigens and adjuvants to potent epidermal immune cells. to address critical unmet needs in biodefense against anthrax, we have designed a novel vaccine delivery system using a dry adhesive patch that simplifies administration and improves tolerability of a subunit anthrax vaccine.	2004	15272406
activities of different fluoroquinolones against bacillus anthracis mutants selected in vitro and harboring topoisomerase mutations.	three sets of mutants of bacillus anthracis resistant to fluoroquinolones were selected on ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin in a stepwise manner from a nalidixic acid-resistant but fluoroquinolone-susceptible plasmidless strain harboring a ser85leu gyra mutation. a high level of resistance to fluoroquinolones could be obtained in four or five selection steps. in each case, parc was the secondary target. however, in addition to the gyra mutation, expression of high-level resistance required (i) in ...	2004	15273116
stop the killer: how to inhibit the anthrax lethal factor metalloprotease.	inhalation of anthrax spores rapidly develops into a deadly bacteraemia and toxaemia. anthrax toxins include the lethal factor (lf), a mitogen-activated protein kinase (mapk)-kinase-specific metalloprotease, which acts in the cell cytosol and plays a major part in anthrax pathogenesis. recently, screening methods have led to the discovery of lf inhibitors that are membrane permeable. this will pave the way for design of novel anthrax therapeutics that are capable of inhibiting the metalloproteas ...	2004	15276179
implementing a smallpox vaccination program aboard an aircraft carrier.	to determine the feasibility of implementing a smallpox vaccination program aboard an aircraft carrier in conjunction with anthrax vaccination.	2004	15281676
saskatchewan. unusual winter outbreak of anthrax.		2004	15283524
dissecting the protein-protein interface between beta-lactamase inhibitory protein and class a beta-lactamases.	beta-lactamase inhibitory protein (blip) binds and inhibits a diverse collection of class a beta-lactamases at a wide range of affinities. alanine-scanning mutagenesis was previously performed to identify the amino acid sequence requirements of blip for inhibiting tem-1 beta-lactamase and sme-1 beta-lactamase. two hotspots of binding energy, one from each domain of blip, were identified (zhang, z., and palzkill, t. (2003) j. biol. chem. 278, 45706-45712). this study has been extended to examine ...	2004	15284234
anthrax and bioterrorism: are we prepared?		2004	15288719
clinical predictors of bioterrorism-related inhalational anthrax.	limitation of a bioterrorist anthrax attack will require rapid and accurate recognition of the earliest victims. to identify clinical characteristics of inhalational anthrax, we compared 47 historical cases (including 11 cases of bioterrorism-related anthrax) with 376 controls with community-acquired pneumonia or influenza-like illness. nausea, vomiting, pallor or cyanosis, diaphoresis, altered mental status, and raised haematocrit were more frequently recorded in the inhalational anthrax cases ...	2004	15288744
biological agents with potential for misuse: a historical perspective and defensive measures.	biological and chemical agents capable of producing serious illness or mortality have been used in biowarfare from ancient times. use of these agents has progressed from crude forms in early and middle ages, when snakes and infected cadavers were used as weapons in battles, to sophisticated preparations for use during and after the second world war. cults and terrorist organizations have attempted the use of biological agents with an aim to immobilize populations or cause serious harm. the reaso ...	2004	15289092
genome update: alignment of bacterial chromosomes.		2004	15289544
posttraumatic stress among survivors of bioterrorism.		2004	15292080
protection of mice against challenge with bacillus anthracis sti spores after dna vaccination.	immune responses against the protective antigen (pa) of bacillus anthracis are known to confer immunity against anthrax. we evaluated the efficacy of genetic vaccination with plasmid vectors encoding pa, in protecting mice from a lethal challenge with b. anthracis sti spores. balb/c and a/j mice were immunized via gene gun inoculation, using eukaryotic expression vectors with different cellular targeting signals for the encoded antigen. the vector psectag pa83, encoding the full-length pa protei ...	2004	15293452
determination of the efficacy of two building decontamination strategies by surface sampling with culture and quantitative pcr analysis.	the efficacy of currently available decontamination strategies for the treatment of indoor furnishings contaminated with bioterrorism agents is poorly understood. efficacy testing of decontamination products in a controlled environment is needed to ensure that effective methods are used to decontaminate domestic and workplace settings. an experimental room supplied with materials used in office furnishings (i.e., wood laminate, painted metal, and vinyl tile) was used with controlled dry aerosol ...	2004	15294810
from the editor's desk.		2004	15296934
mics of selected antibiotics for bacillus anthracis, bacillus cereus, bacillus thuringiensis, and bacillus mycoides from a range of clinical and environmental sources as determined by the etest.	this paper presents etest determinations of mics of selected antimicrobial agents for 76 isolates of bacillus anthracis chosen for their diverse histories and 67, 12, and 4 cultures, respectively, of its close relatives b. cereus, b. thuringiensis, and b. mycoides derived from a range of clinical and environmental sources. nccls breakpoints are now available for b. anthracis and ciprofloxacin, penicillin, and tetracycline; based on these breakpoints, the b. anthracis isolates were all fully susc ...	2004	15297508
use of 16s rrna, 23s rrna, and gyrb gene sequence analysis to determine phylogenetic relationships of bacillus cereus group microorganisms.	in order to determine if variations in rrna sequence could be used for discrimination of the members of the bacillus cereus group, we analyzed 183 16s rrna and 74 23s rrna sequences for all species in the b. cereus group. we also analyzed 30 gyrb sequences for b. cereus group strains with published 16s rrna sequences. our findings indicated that the three most common species of the b. cereus group, b. cereus, bacillus thuringiensis, and bacillus mycoides, were each heterogeneous in all three gen ...	2004	15297521
assessment of a new selective chromogenic bacillus cereus group plating medium and use of enterobacterial autoinducer of growth for cultural identification of bacillus species.	a new chromogenic bacillus cereus group plating medium permits differentiation of pathogenic bacillus species by colony morphology and color. probiotic b. cereus mutants were distinguished from wild-type strains by their susceptibilities to penicillin g or cefazolin. the enterobacterial autoinducer increased the sensitivity and the speed of enrichment of b. cereus and b. anthracis spores in serum-supplemented minimal salts medium (based on the standard american petroleum institute medium) and bu ...	2004	15297532
temperature control of a 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (protocatechuate)-based siderophore in bacillus anthracis.	bacillus anthracis sterne produced a catecholate siderophore named anthrachelin that was based on 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4-dhb, or protocatechuic acid), a catechol moiety previously unreported as a siderophore component. during iron restriction, both anthrachelin and free 3,4-dhb were excreted. growth at 37 degrees c (as compared with 23 degrees c) decreased excretion of anthrachelin but not its precursor 3,4-dhb, suggesting that anthrachelin assembly is temperature regulated. a plasmidles ...	2004	15297912
central serous chorioretinopathy associated with anthrax vaccination.		2004	15300091
experience in the medical management of potential laboratory exposures to agents of bioterrorism on the basis of risk assessment at the united states army medical research institute of infectious diseases (usamriid).	experience in managing laboratory exposures to potential agents of bioterrorism is limited. the united states army medical research institute of infectious diseases reviewed laboratory exposures involving these agents (1989 to 2002) to assess the effectiveness of medical management. the evaluation of 234 persons (78% vaccinated) for exposure to 289 infectious agents revealed 5 confirmed infections (glanders, q fever, vaccinia, chikungunya, and venezuelan equine encephalitis). postexposure antibi ...	2004	15300132
us food and drug administration approval of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride for management of postexposure inhalational anthrax.	in august 2000, the us food and drug administration (fda) approved ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (cipro; bayer) for management of postexposure inhalational anthrax. this was the first antimicrobial drug approved by the fda for use in treating an infection due to a biological agent used intentionally. the terrorist attacks of 2001 involving anthrax underscore the imperative that safe and effective drugs to manage such infections be readily available in the united states. the approval of ciprofloxac ...	2004	15306995
vaccine-induced protection against anthrax in cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) and black rhinoceros (diceros bicornis).	institution of a policy of vaccination in endangered species with a vaccine not previously administered to it cannot be undertaken lightly. this applies even more in the case of cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) with their unusually monomorphic gene pool and the potential restrictions this places on their immune responses. however, the recently observed mortalities from anthrax in these animals in the etosha national park, namibia, made it imperative to evaluate vaccination. black rhinoceros (diceros b ...	2004	15308358
diagnostic probes for bacillus anthracis spores selected from a landscape phage library.	recent use of bacillus anthracis spores as a bioweapon has highlighted the need for a continuous monitoring system. current monitoring systems rely on antibody-derived probes, which are not hardy enough to withstand long-term use under extreme conditions. we describe new, phage-derived probes that can be used as robust substitutes for antibodies.	2004	15308600
a rapid biosensor for viable b. anthracis spores.	a simple membrane-strip-based biosensor assay has been combined with a nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (nasba) reaction for rapid (4 h) detection of a small number (ten) of viable b. anthracis spores. the biosensor is based on identification of a unique mrna sequence from one of the anthrax toxin genes, the protective antigen ( pag), encoded on the toxin plasmid, pxo1, and thus provides high specificity toward b. anthracis. previously, the anthrax toxins activator ( atxa) mrna had been ...	2004	15309363
anthrax toxin complexes: heptameric protective antigen can bind lethal factor and edema factor simultaneously.	the 83 kda protective antigen (pa(83)) component of anthrax toxin, after proteolytic activation, self-associates to form ring-shaped heptamers ([pa(63)](7)) that bind and aid delivery of the edema factor (ef) and lethal factor (lf) components to the cytosol. here we show using fluorescence (förster) resonance energy transfer that a molecule of [pa(63)](7) can bind ef and lf simultaneously. we labeled ef and lf with an appropriate donor/acceptor pair and found quenching of the donor and an increa ...	2004	15313199
common oligosaccharide moieties inhibit the adherence of typical and atypical respiratory pathogens.	intervention in bacterial adhesion to host cells is a novel method of overcoming current problems associated with antibiotic resistance. antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that cause respiratory tract infections are a problem in hospitals and could be used in bioterrorist attacks. a range of bacterial species was demonstrated to attach to an alveolar epithelial (a549) cell line. in all cases, cell surface oligosaccharides were important in attachment, demonstrated by reduced adhesion when ...	2004	15314189
structural biology: anthrax hijacks host receptor.		2004	15318206
population structure of the bacillus cereus group as determined by sequence analysis of six housekeeping genes and the plcr gene.	the population structure of the bacillus cereus group (52 strains of b. anthracis, b. cereus, and b. thuringiensis) was investigated by sequencing seven gene fragments (rpob, gyrb, pyca, mdh, mbl, muts, and plcr). most of the strains were classifiable into two large subgroups in six housekeeping gene trees but not in the plcr tree. in addition, several consistent clusters were identified, which were unrelated to species distinction. moreover, interrelationships among these clusters were incongru ...	2004	15322020
the capsule of bacillus anthracis behaves as a thymus-independent type 2 antigen.	bacillus anthracis elaborates a homopolymeric capsule composed of gamma-d-glutamic acid residues. mice were immunized with formalin-fixed encapsulated b. anthracis bacilli, and the serum antibody response to a gamma-d-glutamyl capsular epitope was measured. antiglutamyl antibodies were elicited in athymic balb/c nu/nu, balb/c nu/+, and cba/j mice but not in cba/n xid mice. these response patterns define the capsule of b. anthracis as a thymus-independent type 2 antigen.	2004	15322045
estimating time and size of bioterror attack.	in the event of a bioterror attack, rapidly estimating the size and time of attack enables short-run forecasts of the number of persons who will be symptomatic and require medical care. we present a bayesian approach to this problem for use in real time and illustrate it with data from a simulated anthrax attack. the method is simple enough to be implemented in a spreadsheet.	2004	15324538
discovery of a small molecule that inhibits the interaction of anthrax edema factor with its cellular activator, calmodulin.	the catalytic efficiency of adenylyl cyclase activity of edema factor (ef) from bacillus anthracis is enhanced by approximately 1000-fold upon its binding to mammalian protein calmodulin (cam). a tandem cell-based and protein binding-based screen of a 10,000 member library identified a molecule that inhibits the ef-cam interaction and therefore the adenylyl cyclase activity. a combination of fluorescence spectroscopy and photolabeling studies showed that the molecule targets the cam binding regi ...	2004	15324815
anthrax.	anthrax is an often fatal bacterial infection that occurs when bacillus anthracis endospores enter the body through one of three major routes: inhalational, cutaneous, or gastrointestinal. before the anthrax terrorist attacks in the united states in 2001, there was very little interest in anthrax as a serious human pathogen; anthrax was viewed mainly as a veterinarian problem of minor importance, with most cases attributed to occupational exposure. however, this cavalier attitude toward anthrax ...	2004	15325717
rapid detection of bacillus anthracis spores directly from powders with an evanescent wave fiber-optic biosensor.	there currently are no rapid, sensitive tests to directly and reliably detect bacillus anthracis spores in common powders. traditional culture is time consuming and molecular techniques cannot directly process powders. this study describes a biosensor assay that detects b. anthracis at concentrations of 3.2 x 10(5) spores/mg or higher in spiked powders in less than 1 h with minimal sample preparation.	2004	15325759
structure of heptameric protective antigen bound to an anthrax toxin receptor: a role for receptor in ph-dependent pore formation.	after binding to cellular receptors and proteolytic activation, the protective antigen component of anthrax toxin forms a heptameric prepore. the prepore later undergoes ph-dependent conversion to a pore, mediating translocation of the edema and lethal factors to the cytosol. we describe structures of the prepore (3.6 a) and a prepore:receptor complex (4.3 a) that reveal the location of pore-forming loops and an unexpected interaction of the receptor with the pore-forming domain. lower ph is req ...	2004	15326297
lethality of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and a commercial fruit and vegetable sanitizer to vegetative cells and spores of bacillus cereus and spores of bacillus thuringiensis.	chlorine, clo2, and a commercial raw fruit and vegetable sanitizer were evaluated for their effectiveness in killing vegetative cells and spores of bacillus cereus and spores of bacillus thuringiensis. the ultimate goal was to use one or both species as a potential surrogate(s) for bacillus anthracis in studies that focus on determining the efficacy of sanitizers in killing the pathogen on food contact surfaces and foods. treatment with alkaline (ph 10.5 to 11.0) clo2 (200 microg/ml) produced by ...	2004	15330537
pathogene: a pathogen coding sequence discovery and analysis resource.	pathogene is a web-based resource that streamlines the process of predicting genes in microorganisms and designs pcr primers for amplification to facilitate sequence analysis and experimentation. pathogene currently supports primer design for every complete microbial, viral, and fungal genome as cataloged in genbank by the national center for biotechnology information (ncbi; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). the resulting primers can then be subjected to a stand-alone basic local alignment search t ...	2004	15335212
targeting of bacillus anthracis interaction factors for human macrophages using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.	bacillus anthracis, a gram-positive, endospore-forming, aerobic rod-shaped bacterium, interacts with macrophages at various stages of the disease. spore germination and the outgrowth of vegetative bacilli are crucial steps enabling the bacteria to proliferate actively and to synthesize the virulence factors leading to a massive septicemia. in this study, we performed a proteomic analysis and maldi-tof/ms were carried out to identify proteins using human macrophages infected with the spores of b. ...	2004	15336541
thermal inactivation of protective antigen of bacillus anthracis and its prevention by polyol osmolytes.	protective antigen (pa) of bacillus anthracis is the main immunogen of all anthrax vaccines. it is a highly thermolabile molecule and loses its activity rapidly when exposed to higher temperatures. earlier some cosolvents had been used to stabilize pa with variable success but no study has been done to find out the primary cause of pa thermal inactivation. this study aims at elucidating the predominant cause of thermal inactivation of pa in order to develop more effective strategies for its ther ...	2004	15336568
membrane insertion of anthrax protective antigen and cytoplasmic delivery of lethal factor occur at different stages of the endocytic pathway.	the protective antigen (pa) of anthrax toxin binds to a cell surface receptor, undergoes heptamerization, and binds the enzymatic subunits, the lethal factor (lf) and the edema factor (ef). the resulting complex is then endocytosed. via mechanisms that depend on the vacuolar atpase and require membrane insertion of pa, lf and ef are ultimately delivered to the cytoplasm where their targets reside. here, we show that membrane insertion of pa already occurs in early endosomes, possibly only in the ...	2004	15337774
syndromic surveillance.		2004	15338541
crystal structure of 7,8-dihydropteroate synthase from bacillus anthracis: mechanism and novel inhibitor design.	dihydropterate synthase (dhps) is the target for the sulfonamide class of antibiotics, but increasing resistance has encouraged the development of new therapeutic agents against this enzyme. one approach is to identify molecules that occupy the pterin binding pocket which is distinct from the paba binding pocket that binds sulfonamides. toward this goal, we present five crystal structures of dhps from bacillus anthracis, a well-documented bioterrorism agent. three dhps structures are already kno ...	2004	15341734
a cationic lipid-formulated plasmid dna vaccine confers sustained antibody-mediated protection against aerosolized anthrax spores.	dna vaccines provide an attractive technology platform against bioterrorism agents due to their safety record in humans and ease of construction, testing, and manufacture. we have designed monovalent and bivalent anthrax plasmid dna (pdna) vaccines encoding genetically detoxified protective antigen (pa) and lethal factor (lf) proteins and tested their immunogenicity and ability to protect rabbits from an aerosolized inhalation spore challenge. immune responses after two or three injections of ca ...	2004	15342913
integrating bioterrorism education into nursing school curricula.	due to the events of september 11, 2001 and the bioterrorism-related anthrax episodes, the united states has escalated efforts to better prepare the nation for terrorist attacks. early recognition and management of a biological attack are largely dependent on the clinical expertise of frontline health care personnel. nurses are recognized as an integral part of this team. schools of nursing should integrate bioterrorism education into their curricula to address this growing frontier of health ca ...	2004	15344372
bioterrorism and compulsory vaccination.		2004	15345604
immune responses to bacillus anthracis protective antigen in patients with bioterrorism-related cutaneous or inhalation anthrax.	anti-protective antigen (pa) immunoglobulin (ig) g, toxin neutralization, and pa-specific igg memory b cell responses were studied in patients with bioterrorism-related cutaneous or inhalation anthrax and in a patient with laboratory-acquired cutaneous anthrax. responses were determined for >1 year after the onset of symptoms. eleven days after the onset of symptoms (15 days after likely exposure), anti-pa igg was detected in 16 of 17 patients with confirmed or suspected clinical anthrax who wer ...	2004	15346332