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Results for “Biological Defense Research Program”

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At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

The phloem as a conduit for inter-organ communication.

The plant vascular system plays a pivotal role in the delivery of nutrients to distantly located organs. Recent discoveries have provided new insight into a novel role for plasmodesmata and the phloem in terms of the transport and delivery of information macromolecules (i.e. proteins and ribonucleoprotein complexes). Non-cell/organ-autonomous control over gene expression may function both in defense signaling and developmental programming in plants.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed2004

Thimerosal and autism? A plausible hypothesis that should not be dismissed.

The autism-mercury hypothesis first described by Bernard et al. has generated much interest and controversy. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) reviewed the connection between mercury-containing vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism. They concluded that the hypothesis was biologically plausible but that there was insufficient evidence to accept or reject a causal connection and recommended a comprehensive research program. Without citing new experimental evidence, a number of observers have offered opinions on the subject, some of which reject the IOM's conclusions. In a recent review, Nelson and Bauman argue that a link between the preservative thimerosal, the source of the mercury in childhood vaccines, is improbable. In their defense of thimerosal, these authors take a narrow view of the original hypothesis, provide no new evidence, and rely on selective citations and flawed reasoning. We provide evidence here to refute the Nelson and Bauman critique and to defend the autism-mercury hypothesis.

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMed2004

Redox neurology: visions of an emerging subspecialty.

Recent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in publications implicating free radicals and oxidative stress in virtually every aspect of biology and medicine. Redox Neurology may be defined as the study of the roles of free radicals, transition metals, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defenses in diseases of the nervous system. In this position paper, an argument is presented for recognition of this field as an emerging subspecialty within medical neurology. A program for postresidency fellowship training in Redox Neurology that integrates laboratory experience with specialized clinical practice is proposed. Opportunities for research and teaching careers in the redox neurosciences are outlined. The paper concludes with a forecast of several research themes likely to preoccupy this nascent discipline in the days ahead.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

De novo methylation, long-term promoter silencing, methylation patterns in the human genome, and consequences of foreign DNA insertion.

This chapter presents a personal account of the work on DNA methylation in viral and mammalian systems performed in the author's laboratory in the course of the past 30 years. The text does not attempt to give a complete and meticulous account of the work accomplished in many other laboratories; in that sense it is not a review of the field in a conventional sense. Since the author is also one of the editors of this series of Current Topics in Immunology and Microbiology on DNA methylation, to which contributions by many of our colleagues in this field have been invited, the author's conscience is alleviated that he has not cited many of the relevant and excellent reports by others. The choice of viral model systems in molecular biology is well founded. Over many decades, viruses have proved their invaluable and pioneering role as tools in molecular genetics. When our interest turned to the demonstration of genome-wide patterns of DNA methylation, we focused mainly on the human genome. The following topics in DNA methylation will be treated in detail: (1) The de novo methylation of integrated foreign genomes; (2) the long-term gene silencing effect of sequence-specific promoter methylation and its reversal; (3) the properties and specificity of patterns of DNA methylation in the human genome and their possible relations to pathogenesis; (4) the long-range global effects on cellular DNA methylation and transcriptional profiles as a consequence of foreign DNA insertion into an established genome; (5) the patterns of DNA methylation can be considered part of a cellular defense mechanism against foreign or repetitive DNA; which role has food-ingested DNA played in the elaboration of this mechanism? The interest in problems related to DNA methylation has spread-like the mechanism itself-into many neighboring fields. The nature of the transcriptional programs orchestrating embryonal and fetal development, chromatin structure, genetic imprinting, genetic disease, X chromosome inactivation, and tumor biology are but a few of the areas of research that have incorporated studies on the importance of the hitherto somewhat neglected fifth nucleotide in many genomes. Even the fly researchers now have to cope with the presence of this nucleotide, in however small quantities it exists in the genome of their model organism, at least during embryonal development. The bulk of the experimental work accomplished in the author's laboratory has been shouldered by many very motivated undergraduate and graduate students and by a number of talented postdoctoral researchers. Their contributions are reflected in the list of references in this chapter. We have also had the good luck to receive funding through a number or organizations as acknowledged.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2003

Effect of NASA light-emitting diode irradiation on molecular changes for wound healing in diabetic mice.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in gene expression of near-infrared light therapy in a model of impaired wound healing. BACKGROUND DATA: Light-Emitting Diodes (LED), originally developed for NASA plant growth experiments in space, show promise for delivering light deep into tissues of the body to promote wound healing and human tissue growth. In this paper we present the effects of LED treatment on wounds in a genetically diabetic mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Polyvinyl acetal (PVA) sponges were subcutaneously implanted in the dorsum of BKS.Cg-m +/+ Lepr(db) mice. LED treatments were given once daily, and at the sacrifice day, the sponges, incision line and skin over the sponges were harvested and used for RNA extraction. The RNA was subsequently analyzed by cDNA array. RESULTS: Our studies have revealed certain tissue regenerating genes that were significantly upregulated upon LED treatment when compared to the untreated sample. Integrins, laminin, gap junction proteins, and kinesin superfamily motor proteins are some of the genes involved during regeneration process. These are some of the genes that were identified upon gene array experiments with RNA isolated from sponges from the wound site in mouse with LED treatment. CONCLUSION: We believe that the use of NASA light-emitting diodes (LED) for light therapy will greatly enhance the natural wound healing process, and more quickly return the patient to a preinjury/illness level of activity. This work is supported and managed through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center-SBIR Program.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Biology of kidney cells: ontogeny-recapitulating phylogeny.

Biology of kidney cells can be used as a model for further understanding of ontogeny-recapitulating phylogeny. The common and species-specific structural and functional relationship between blood capillaries and the environment via a filtration barrier of nephrons is a biological phenomenon resulting from renal cell memory acquired through evolution. Genetically programmed development, a subsequent series of gene expression, and inductive interactions played a key role in differentiation and maintenance of specific activities of kidneys in birds and mammals. Various environmental factors may alter kidney development and specific activities at the levels of gene expression, repression, or derepression, and defensive mechanisms involved in reaction to risk factors are developed. Autoimmunity and cancerogenesis are closely dependent on a variety of environmental agents, such as antigens originating from infections with some viruses and toxins, or irradiation, advanced industrialization, and progress of civilization. As a result of gene mutation, delation, rearrangement, and/or susceptibility to different agents, renal cell memory is altered. Instead of cell-specific activities, the abilities for regeneration, and other genetically programmed activities, the genesis of kidney diseases are common. Balkan endemic nephropathy, as regional disease, is an important example of the role, of environmental agents, at the level of genes. Research programs on molecular genetics will contribute to our efforts both to prevent infections and to elucidate the genesis, diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, and therapy of kidney diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Strategies used by bacterial pathogens to suppress plant defenses.

Plant immune systems effectively prevent infections caused by the majority of microbial pathogens that are encountered by plants. However, successful pathogens have evolved specialized strategies to suppress plant defense responses and induce disease susceptibility in otherwise resistant hosts. Recent advances reveal that phytopathogenic bacteria use type III effector proteins, toxins, and other factors to inhibit host defenses. Host processes that are targeted by bacteria include programmed cell death, cell wall-based defense, hormone signaling, the expression of defense genes, and other basal defenses. The discovery of plant defenses that are vulnerable to pathogen attack has provided new insights into mechanisms that are essential for both bacterial pathogenesis and plant disease resistance.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2002

[Franco-Vietnamese military cooperation in the field of malaria].

In 1991 after the long period of strife the international community moved on deploying a program for malaria control in Vietnam. At that time epidemiological surveys documented one million cases a year including 4 to 5,000 fatalities. This was the starting point for a military and defense cooperation program between the Vietnamese Army Health Corps and the Tropical Medicine Institute of the French Army Health Corps (French acronym, IMTSSA). The IMTSSA has the full range of expertise to train therapists, epidemiologists and research workers as well as to perform detection and pharmacological study of drug-resistant malaria strains. Between 1996 and 2002, the IMTSSA sent various specialists to Vietnam within the framework of this program. These specialists have not only established state-of-the-art technical facilities for epidemiological surveys and biological research but also trained Vietnamese specialists to perform these duties. This program has contributed to controlling malaria in Vietnam. Further development is needed to coordinate the exchange of data necessary to continuously monitor the efficacy of control measures in Southeast Asia where the incidence of strains resistant to most currently used antimalarials has been increasing sharply.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Patient care in a biological safety level-4 (BSL-4) environment.

The greatest threats to America's public health include accidental importation of deadly diseases by international travelers and the release of biologic weapons by our adversaries. The greatest failure is unpreparedness because international travel and dispersion of biologic agents by our enemies are inevitable. An effective medical defense program is the recommended deterrent against these threats. The United States has a federal response plan in place that includes patient care and patient transport by using the highest level of biologic containment: BSL-4. The DoD has the capability to provide intensive care for victims infected with highly infectious yet unknown biologic agents in an environment that protects the caregiver while allowing scientists to study the characteristics of these new agents and assess the effectiveness of treatment. Army critical care nurses are vital in the biologic medical defense against unidentified infectious diseases, accidental occupational exposures, or intentional dispersion of weaponized biologic agents. Research that carefully advances healthcare using BSL-4 technology addresses the challenges of the human element of BSL-4 containment patient care, and BSL-4 patient transport enhances our nation's ability to address the emerging biologic threats we confront in the future.

Bioterrorism↗
PubMed1997

Overview of DOD activities in ecological risk assessment.

Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, Congress has mandated that all designated hazardous waste sites will be remediated to protect human health and the environment. This law is the driving force behind the Department of Defense (DOD) ecological risk assessment (ERA) program. Ecological risk assessments are currently underway at many DOD sites with budgets ranging from five thousand to ten million dollars. However, with the advent of downsizing government and shrinking funds, efforts are being made within DOD to better refine these assessments. Two DOD work groups function to develop guidance for and assist project managers with the ERA process. These groups are the Army Biological Technical Assistance Group chaired by the Army Environmental Center and the Tri-Service Ecological Risk Assessment Work Group (ERWG) chartered by the Tri-Service Environmental Support Centers Coordinating Committee. Membership in the Tri-Service ERWG includes all facets of DOD. In the research arena, the Fate & Effects Research and Development Program is one of four primary thrust areas under the Army's Environmental Quality Technology Program "Clean Up" pillar. This program is currently being executed by three laboratories, the Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS, the Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, and the Army Center for Environmental Health Research (Provisional), Ft. Detrick, MD. The goal of this program is to provide tools to improve environmental risk assessments, both human and ecological. The research is geared toward addressing user requirements and is defined by the Fate and Effects Research Program.

Ecology↗
PubMed2006

Molecular modeling and inhibitory activity of cowpea cystatin against bean bruchid pests.

Plant cystatins show great potential as tools to genetically engineer resistance of crop plants against pests. Two important potential targets are the bean weevils Acanthoscelides obtectus and Zabrotes subfasciatus, which display major activities of digestive cysteine proteinases in midguts. In this study a cowpea cystatin, a cysteine proteinase inhibitor found in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds, was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified with a Ni-NTA agarose column. It strongly inhibited papain and proteinases from midguts of both A. obtectus and Z. subfasciatus bruchids, as seen by in vitro assays. When the protein was incorporated into artificial seeds at concentrations as low as 0.025%, and seeds were consumed by the bruchids larva, dramatic reductions in larval weight, and increases in insect mortality were observed. Molecular modeling studies of cowpea cystatin in complex with papain revealed that five N-terminal residues responsible for a large proportion of the hydrophobic interactions involved in the stabilization of the enzyme-inhibitor complex are absent in the partial N-terminal amino acid sequencing of soybean cystatin. We suggest that this structural difference could be the reason for the much higher effectiveness of cowpea cystatin when compared to that previously tested phytocystatin. The application of this knowledge in plant protein mutation programs aiming at enhancement of plant defenses to pests is discussed.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2002

Telemedicine in otolaryngology.

More research is needed in otolaryngology telemedicine, but it would be a mistake to stop at only determining if telemedicine is as good as an in-person exam. The digital image recorded in a telemedicine encounter can be manipulated to increase diagnostic information not currently available. Radiologists currently take a chest radiograph in which a chest mass or the tip of an nasogastric tube is difficult to visualize, and by inverting the gray scale or viewing other digital manipulations of that image, the mass or tube tip becomes obvious. Examples in otolaryngology might include images of the larynx manipulated to better demonstrate the inflamed tissue of reflux, or images of the tympanic membrane manipulated to better demonstrate early retraction. Despite dramatic and likely continued decreases, equipment cost is still an issue. Current research points to good consumer acceptance, and certainly with each new generation the technology is more readily accepted. As Nesbitt [4] points out, it is certainly not difficult to look to the future and see ubiquitous broadband with video as common as telephone, or even extreme broadband enabling robotics and virtual reality TV with three-dimensional touch. Robotics and genomics will eventually play a greater role in telemedicine and our lives in general. Applications for remote diagnosis in biologic warfare defense and homeland security are currently raising interest in telemedicine. Telemedicine will be combined with new technological advances such as virtual "fly-through" computerized axial tomography examinations. Instead of performing an exploratory tympanotomy, surgeons will use computer programs to "fly through" and examine all aspects of a patient's middle or even inner ear. Spectral imaging of the eardrum, larynx, or oropharynx will immediately identify bacteria without cultures, or gram stain, and potential malignancy without biopsy. By measuring fluorescence emitted from an oropharynx illuminated with a specific visible or nonvisible light spectrum, spectral imaging will be able to provide instant identification of bacteria or evidence of malignant changes. The underlying principles of a successful business model must continue to be applied, with the most critical ingredient for telemedicine's success being the filling of specific health care needs. As long as the need is there, telemedicine in otolaryngology will advance.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

New insights into nitric oxide metabolism and regulatory functions.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been intensively studied to elucidate the role of this enigmatic signaling molecule in plant development, metabolism and disease responses. Many studies using pharmacological and biochemical tools have demonstrated that NO functions in hormone responses, programmed cell death, defense gene induction and signal transduction pathways. NO originates from two sources in plants: nitrite and arginine. Recent studies using mutants and transgenic plants have confirmed these key findings and have gone further to identify (i) a new mechanism to modulate NO bioactivity involving hemoglobin, (ii) a gene involved in arginine-dependent NO synthesis, and (iii) a novel function for NO signaling in flowering. These findings continue to elucidate the expanding role of NO in plant biology.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Expression profiling in Medicago truncatula identifies more than 750 genes differentially expressed during nodulation, including many potential regulators of the symbiotic program.

In this study, we describe a large-scale expression-profiling approach to identify genes differentially regulated during the symbiotic interaction between the model legume Medicago truncatula and the nitrogen-fixing bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti. Macro- and microarrays containing about 6,000 probes were generated on the basis of three cDNA libraries dedicated to the study of root symbiotic interactions. The experiments performed on wild-type and symbiotic mutant material led us to identify a set of 756 genes either up- or down-regulated at different stages of the nodulation process. Among these, 41 known nodulation marker genes were up-regulated as expected, suggesting that we have identified hundreds of new nodulation marker genes. We discuss the possible involvement of this wide range of genes in various aspects of the symbiotic interaction, such as bacterial infection, nodule formation and functioning, and defense responses. Importantly, we found at least 13 genes that are good candidates to play a role in the regulation of the symbiotic program. This represents substantial progress toward a better understanding of this complex developmental program.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed2001

Of weeds and men: what genomes teach us about plant cell biology.

It has generally been assumed that fundamental cellular processes are conserved at the molecular level. Genome comparisons, however, suggest that the molecular mechanisms underlying programmed cell death, defense, adaptation and development may differ considerably between the plant and animal kingdoms. Phylogenetic analyses have revealed a great deal of novelty in the plant genes that are implicated in conserved processes such as transcription, cytoskeletal dynamics and vesicle trafficking. The Arabidopsis genome highlights the highly dynamic and regulated nature of the plant cell, which is fine-tuned to light, water, nutrient availability, temperature, touch and wind.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

RNA-guided DNA deletion in Tetrahymena: an RNAi-based mechanism for programmed genome rearrangements.

Ciliated protozoan are unicellular eukaryotes. Most species in this diverse group display nuclear dualism, a special feature that supports both somatic and germline nuclei in the same cell. Probably due to this unique life style, they exhibit unusual nuclear characteristics that have intrigued researchers for decades. Among them are large-scale DNA rearrangements, which restructure the somatic genome to become drastically different from its germline origin. They resemble the classical phenomenon of chromatin diminution in some nematodes discovered more than a century ago. The mechanisms of such rearrangements, their biological roles, and their evolutionary origins have been difficult to understand. Recent studies have revealed a clear link to RNA interference, and begin to shed light on these issues. Using the simple ciliate Tetrahymena as a model, this chapter summarizes the physical characterization of these processes, describes recent findings that connect them to RNA interference, and discusses the details of their mechanisms, potential roles in genome defense, and possible occurrences in other organisms.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

PIML: the Pathogen Information Markup Language.

MOTIVATION: A vast amount of information about human, animal and plant pathogens has been acquired, stored and displayed in varied formats through different resources, both electronically and otherwise. However, there is no community standard format for organizing this information or agreement on machine-readable format(s) for data exchange, thereby hampering interoperation efforts across information systems harboring such infectious disease data. RESULTS: The Pathogen Information Markup Language (PIML) is a free, open, XML-based format for representing pathogen information. XSLT-based visual presentations of valid PIML documents were developed and can be accessed through the PathInfo website or as part of the interoperable web services federation known as ToolBus/PathPort. Currently, detailed PIML documents are available for 21 pathogens deemed of high priority with regard to public health and national biological defense. A dynamic query system allows simple queries as well as comparisons among these pathogens. Continuing efforts are being taken to include other groups' supporting PIML and to develop more PIML documents. AVAILABILITY: All the PIML-related information is accessible from http://www.vbi.vt.edu/pathport/pathinfo/

Bacteria↗