-
26 Mar 2024 • Book Chapter • Phage Engineering and Analysis: Methods and Protocols
Contracting the Host Range of Bacteriophage T7 Using a Continuous Evolution System
AbstractBacteriophage T7 is an intracellular virus that recognizes its host via tail and tail fiber proteins known as receptor-binding proteins (RBPs). The RBPs attach to a specific lipopolysaccharide (LPS) displayed on the host. While there are various reports of phage host range expansion resulting from mutations in the RBP encoding genes, there is little evidence for
… show more -
26 Mar 2024 • Journal Article • New Microbes and New Infections
Insights from genomic analysis of a novel Coxiella burnetii strain isolated in Israel
AbstractThe diagnosis of Q fever is challenging due to nonspecific symptoms and negative standard blood culture results. Serological testing through immunofluorescence assay (IFA) is the most commonly used method for diagnosing this disease. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests can also be used to detect bacterial DNA if taken at an appropriate time. Once the presence of
… show more -
22 Mar 2024 • Journal Article • Analytical Methods
Highly sensitive chemiluminescence sensors for the detection and differentiation of chemical warfare agents
AbstractHighly sensitive chemiluminescence-based probes that effectively detect and differentiate between the extremely toxic real G- and V-type organophosphorus chemical warfare agents (OPCWAs) are presented. This straightforward approach does not require any instrumentation or light source; hence, it appears ideal for the future development of field colorimetric
… show more -
Mar 2024 • Journal Article • Antibiotics
Rapid Phenotypic Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiling of Clinical Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Blood Cultures
AbstractBloodstream infections (BSI) are defined by the presence of viable bacteria or fungi, accompanied by systemic signs of infection. Choosing empirical therapy based solely on patient risk factors and prior antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) may lead to either ineffective treatment or unnecessarily broad-spectrum antibiotic exposure. In general, Clinical & Laboratory
… show more -
21 Feb 2024 • Journal Article • Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
Efficacy of a combined anti-seizure treatment against cholinergic established status epilepticus following a sarin nerve agent insult in rats
AbstractThe development of refractory status epilepticus (SE) following sarin intoxication presents a therapeutic challenge. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of delayed combined double or triple treatment in reducing abnormal epileptiform seizure activity (ESA) and the ensuing long-term neuronal insult. SE was induced in rats by exposure to 1.2 LD50 sarin followed by treatment
… show more -
20 Feb 2024 • Journal Article • Molecular Psychiatry
Effect of chemically synthesized psilocybin and psychedelic mushroom extract on molecular and metabolic profiles in mouse brain
AbstractPsilocybin, a naturally occurring, tryptamine alkaloid prodrug, is currently being investigated for the treatment of a range of psychiatric disorders. Preclinical reports suggest that the biological effects of psilocybin-containing mushroom extract or “full spectrum” (psychedelic) mushroom extract (PME), may differ from those of chemically synthesized psilocybin (PSIL)
… show more -
12 Feb 2024 • Journal Article • Toxins
Long-Term Pulmonary Damage in Surviving Antitoxin-Treated Mice following a Lethal Ricin Intoxication
AbstractRicin, a highly potent plant-derived toxin, is considered a potential bioterrorism weapon due to its pronounced toxicity, high availability, and ease of preparation. Acute damage following pulmonary ricinosis is characterized by local cytokine storm, massive neutrophil infiltration, and edema formation, resulting in respiratory insufficiency and death. A designated
… show more -
2 Feb 2024 • Journal Article • Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Enhanced production yields of rVSV-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine using Fibra-Cel® macrocarriers
AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to high global demand for vaccines to safeguard public health. To that end, our institute has developed a recombinant viral vector vaccine utilizing a modified vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) construct, wherein the G protein of VSV is replaced with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (rVSV-ΔG-spike). Previous studies have demonstrated the
… show more -
16 Jan 2024 • Journal Article • Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry
Ethanolysis of nitrogen mustards: A novel strategy for nitrogen mustard identification in environmental matrices by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry
AbstractRationale
Nitrogen mustards (NMs) are blistering chemical warfare agents. The ability to detect NMs in environmental samples is very important for obtaining forensic evidence. The most common analytical techniques for NM detection are gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, which detects NMs in their intact form but is disadvantaged by high limits of detection (LODs)
… show more -
3 Jan 2024 • Preprint • bioRxiv
Rapid and specific detection of single nanoparticles and viruses in microfluidic laminar flow via confocal fluorescence microscopy
AbstractMainstream virus detection relies on the specific amplification of nucleic acids via polymerase chain reaction, a process that is slow and requires extensive laboratory expertise and equipment. Other modalities, such as antigen-based tests, allow much faster virus detection but have reduced sensitivity. In this study, we report the development of a flow virometer for
… show more