Shares of T2 Biosystems rise on federal contract for diagnostic tests
Lexington diagnostics maker T2 Biosystems is pairing up with the U.S. government to develop tests that could identify biological threats like anthrax — a deal that could alleviate some of the struggling device company’s financial concerns. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - September 11, 2019 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Allison DeAngelis Source Type: news
Decontamination of Bacillus Spores from Drinking Water Infrastructure with Physical Removing (Pigging) and Assessment of Pipe Relining Technologies
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC). Published: 9/2019.
This 43-page report summarizes the results of biological decontamination experiments performed at the Water Security Test Bed (WSTB). The experiments focused on removing and remediating Bacillus globigii spores adhered to the inner surface of the eight-inch water pipe. Bacillus globigii spores are a non-pathogenic surrogate for Bacillus anthracis, which is the causative agent of anthrax. First responders and decision-makers managing a water contamination event can use dat...
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - September 1, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
The Dengue Dance?
Discussion
Dengue is an important arboviral infection that affects about 40% of the world population. It is found mainly in topical and subtropical areas of the world mainly in developing countries but it range is spreading including the United States. A review of common arboviruses can be found here. It is a flaviavirus with 4 distinct serotypes named DENV-1 through DENV-4 and is spread by A. aegypti a day biting mosquito. Infection with one serotype confers immunity to that serotype but not the others. It does offer some protection for cross-infection but this only lasts a few months. Incubation period is 3-14 days with ...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - July 29, 2019 Category: Pediatrics Authors: pediatriceducationmin Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
A Brutal Disease Kills Monkeys. Flies Could Be Spreading It.
A downside of social living among monkeys and chimpanzees, a new study suggests, is being at greater risk of deadly disease. (Source: NYT Health)
Source: NYT Health - July 25, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Veronique Greenwood Tags: Monkeys and Apes Flies Anthrax Ivory Coast Bacteria Research National Parks, Monuments and Seashores Gogarten, Jan Molecular Ecology (Journal) your-feed-science Source Type: news
Neuroterrorism preparedness for the neurohospitalist - Ralston MSA, Murray MBP, Vela-Duarte D, Orjuela KD, Pastula DM.
In this review article, we highlight several potential biologic and chemical agents of "neuroterrorism" of which neurohospitalists should be aware: anthrax, botulism toxin, brucella, plague, smallpox, organophosphates and nerve agents, cyanide, and carfent... (Source: SafetyLit)
Source: SafetyLit - June 29, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Tags: Disaster Preparedness Source Type: news
Evaluation of Analytical Methods for the Detection of Bacillus Anthracis Spores: Compatibility With Real-World Samples Collected from Outdoor and Subway Surfaces
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC). Published: 6/2019.
This 255-page report provides information about an effort that sought to assess the impact of potential real-world interferents present in sponge-stick and vacuum cassettes samples on current culture and molecular analysis methods for the detection of bacillus anthracis spores. Having an assessment of the impact, if any, will help EPA understand limitations of the current methods for contaminant spread and extent mapping, and identify possible opportunities or needs for m...
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - June 1, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
South Africa: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries On Anthrax Outbreaks in Lesotho
[Govt of SA] The Veterinary Authority of Lesotho has reported three anthrax outbreaks to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The first outbreak started on 12 May 2019 and a total of 24 cattle were reported to have died of anthrax. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)
Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine - May 30, 2019 Category: African Health Source Type: news
Do YOU live in an area at-risk of anthrax?
Although it is considered a rare disease, a study by The National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center in Maryland, reveals up to 1.83billion people may be exposed to the anthrax bacteria. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - May 16, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Anthrax Is a Risk on Every Continent
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019 -- About 63 million people worldwide who work with livestock are in regions vulnerable to anthrax, according to a new study.
And more than 1.8 billion people are at risk in those regions -- including rural areas in Europe,... (Source: Drugs.com - Daily MedNews)
Source: Drugs.com - Daily MedNews - May 15, 2019 Category: General Medicine Source Type: news
Full-Scale Decontamination of Bacillus Spores from Drinking Water Infrastructure
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC). Published: 5/2019.
The results presented in this eight-page technical brief show that several infrastructure decontamination technologies are effective at killing spores of the causative agent of anthrax (Bacillus anthracis spores) and removing them from drinking water infrastructure when tested at a full scale. The report describes research to examine full-scale decontamination of Bacillus spores from drinking water infrastructure after a contamination event with B. globigii, a nonpathogen...
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - May 1, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Feasibility Study for Reuse of Activated Carbon for the Capture of Methyl Bromide Used for Decontamination
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC). Published: 5/2019.
This 64-page document describes a study that quantified how well an activated carbon (AC) sample maintained its adsorption capacity for methyl bromide (MeBr) over several adsorption/desorption cycles, using three different gas conditions. Methyl bromide fumigation has been shown to be effective in decontaminating buildings contaminated with Bacillus anthracis (Ba) spores.
(PDF) (Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health)
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - May 1, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Anthrax is killing wildlife, and it's putting humans at risk, too
A suspected anthrax outbreak is raising alarm at Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya after the sudden deaths of 10 buffalo since last month, and officials are working to make sure the outbreak doesn't put humans at risk. (Source: CNN.com - Health)
Source: CNN.com - Health - April 10, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Functional degradation: A mechanism of NLRP1 inflammasome activation by diverse pathogen enzymes
In this study, we find that cleavage results in proteasome-mediated degradation of the amino-terminal domains of NLRP1B, liberating a carboxyl-terminal fragment that is a potent caspase-1 activator. Proteasome-mediated degradation of NLRP1B is both necessary and sufficient for NLRP1B activation. Consistent with our functional degradation model, we identify IpaH7.8, a Shigella flexneri ubiquitin ligase secreted effector, as an enzyme that induces NLRP1B degradation and activation. Our results provide a unified mechanism for NLRP1B activation by diverse pathogen-encoded enzymatic activities. (Source: ScienceNOW)
Source: ScienceNOW - April 3, 2019 Category: Science Authors: Sandstrom, A., Mitchell, P. S., Goers, L., Mu, E. W., Lesser, C. F., Vance, R. E. Tags: Immunology, Online Only r-articles Source Type: news
N-terminal degradation activates the NLRP1B inflammasome
In this study, we used genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screens to identify genes required for NLRP1B-mediated pyroptosis. We discovered that lethal factor induces cell death via the N-end rule proteasomal degradation pathway. Lethal factor directly cleaves NLRP1B, inducing the N-end rule–mediated degradation of the NLRP1B N terminus and freeing the NLRP1B C terminus to activate caspase-1. DPP8/9 inhibitors also induce proteasomal degradation of the NLRP1B N terminus but not via the N-end rule pathway. Thus, N-terminal degradation is the common activation mechanism of this innate immune sensor. (Source: ScienceNOW)
Source: ScienceNOW - April 3, 2019 Category: Science Authors: Chui, A. J., Okondo, M. C., Rao, S. D., Gai, K., Griswold, A. R., Johnson, D. C., Ball, D. P., Taabazuing, C. Y., Orth, E. L., Vittimberga, B. A., Bachovchin, D. A. Tags: Immunology reports Source Type: news
Extending Expiration Dates of Doxycycline Tablets and Capsules in Strategic Stockpiles: Guidance for Government Public Health and Emergency Response Stakeholders
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Published: 4/2019.
This 22-page document provides final guidance to government stakeholders on testing to extend the expiration date —under section 564A(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act —of stockpiled doxycycline tablets and capsules for public health emergency preparedness and response purposes for an anthrax emergency. It applies to both doxycycline monohydrate and doxycycline hyclate tablets and capsules equivalent to 50 mg and 100 mg of doxycycline that are indicated for post -exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or treatment of inhalational anthrax.
(PD...
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - April 1, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
