The AFHSC-Division of GEIS Operations Predictive Surveillance Program: a multidisciplinary approach for the early detection and response to disease outbreaks.

The Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, Division of Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System Operations (AFHSC-GEIS) initiated a coordinated, multidisciplinary program to link data sets and information derived from eco-climatic remote sensing activities, ecologic niche modeling, arthropod vector, animal disease-host/reservoir, and human disease surveillance for febrile illnesses, into a predictive surveillance program that generates advisories and alerts on emerging infectious disease outbreaks. The program's ultimate goal is pro-active public health practice through pre-event preparedness, prevention and control, and response decision-making and prioritization. This multidisciplinary program is rooted in over 10 years experience in predictive surveillance for Rift Valley fever outbreaks in Eastern Africa.

Capacity-building efforts by the AFHSC-GEIS program.

Capacity-building initiatives related to public health are defined as developing laboratory infrastructure, strengthening host-country disease surveillance initiatives, transferring technical expertise and training personnel. These initiatives represented a major piece of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, Division of Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System (AFHSC-GEIS) contributions to worldwide emerging infectious disease (EID) surveillance and response. Capacity-building initiatives were undertaken with over 80 local and regional Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Defense, as well as other government entities and institutions worldwide.

A growing global network's role in outbreak response: AFHSC-GEIS 2008-2009.

A cornerstone of effective disease surveillance programs comprises the early identification of infectious threats and the subsequent rapid response to prevent further spread. Effectively identifying, tracking and responding to these threats is often difficult and requires international cooperation due to the rapidity with which diseases cross national borders and spread throughout the global community as a result of travel and migration by humans and animals. From Oct.

Prediction, assessment of the Rift Valley fever activity in East and Southern Africa 2006-2008 and possible vector control strategies.

Historical outbreaks of Rift Valley fever (RVF) since the early 1950s have been associated with cyclical patterns of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, which results in elevated and widespread rainfall over the RVF endemic areas of Africa. Using satellite measurements of global and regional elevated sea surface temperatures, elevated rainfall, and satellite derived-normalized difference vegetation index data, we predicted with lead times of 2-4 months areas where outbreaks of RVF in humans and animals were expected and occurred in the Horn of Africa, Sudan, and Southern Africa at different time periods from September 2006 to March 2008. Predictions were confirmed by entomological field investigations of virus activity and by reported cases of RVF in human and livestock populations.

Rift Valley fever virus epidemic in Kenya, 2006/2007: the entomologic investigations.

In December 2006, Rift Valley fever (RVF) was diagnosed in humans in Garissa Hospital, Kenya and an outbreak reported affecting 11 districts. Entomologic surveillance was performed in four districts to determine the epidemic/epizootic vectors of RVF virus (RVFV). Approximately 297,000 mosquitoes were collected, 164,626 identified to species, 72,058 sorted into 3,003 pools and tested for RVFV by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

An investigation of a major outbreak of Rift Valley fever in Kenya: 2006-2007.

An outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) occurred in Kenya during November 2006 through March 2007. We characterized the magnitude of the outbreak through disease surveillance and serosurveys, and investigated contributing factors to enhance strategies for forecasting to prevent or minimize the impact of future outbreaks. Of 700 suspected cases, 392 met probable or confirmed case definitions; demographic data were available for 340 (87%), including 90 (26.

Self-focusing in air with phase-stabilized few-cycle light pulses.

We investigate the nonlinear optical phenomenon of self-focusing in air with phase-stabilized few-cycle light pulses. This investigation looks at the role of the carrier-envelope phase by observing a filament in air, a nonlinear phenomenon that can be utilized for few-cycle pulse compression [Appl. Phys.

Identification of potential vectors of and detection of antibodies against Rift Valley fever virus in livestock during interepizootic periods.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) antibodies in livestock and presence of competent mosquito vectors of RVFV during an interepizootic period (IEP) in Kenya.

Animals: 208 sheep and 84 goats ranging in age from 4 months to 15 years, from 2 breeding herds.

Procedures: Blood specimens were collected from the sheep and goats during the 1999-2006 IEP in Rift Valley Province, and serum was harvested.

Arbovirus surveillance of mosquitoes collected at sites of active Rift Valley fever virus transmission: Kenya, 2006-2007.

Mosquitoes collected during an outbreak of Rift Valley fever in Kenya from December 2006 to February 2007 were tested to isolate other mosquito-borne arboviruses circulating in the region. Twenty-seven virus isolations were made comprising seven viruses from three arbovirus families.

A hexapole magnetic guide for neutral atomic beams.

In this paper we present a multiple element magnetic device to guide atoms using a spatially inhomogeneous magnetic field formed by a series of permanent hexapole magnets. The operation of the device is demonstrated using an enhanced beam of neon atoms in the 3P2 metastable state. These atoms are guided around a bend of 30 degrees from their original path.

Structure and aromaticity of B6H5(+) cation: a novel borhydride system containing planar pentacoordinated boron.

A novel structural pattern: two-dimensional, five-membered ring-like boron hydride system B(6)H(5)(+), which contains both planar tetra- and pentacoordinated boron (ptB and ppB) was designed and investigated at [B3LYP, MP2(Full) and CCSD(T,FC)]/6-311+G(d,p) theoretical levels. The results indicate that both degenerate ppB B(6)H(5)(+) configurations A (D(5H),(1)A(1)') and B (C(2nu),(1)A(1)) are energetically favorable, sharing the lowest energy comparison with other isomers considered in this work. The computed considerably large smallest vibrational frequencies [197.

Kupe virus, a new virus in the family bunyaviridae, genus nairovirus, kenya.

We have previously described isolation and preliminary identification of a virus related to Dugbe virus (DUGV), family Bunyaviridae, genus Nairovirus. Six isolates of the virus were obtained from pools of Amblyomma gemma and Rhipicephalus pulchellus ticks collected from hides of cattle in Nairobi, Kenya, in October 1999. We report results of further characterization of this virus, including growth kinetics in cell culture and full-length genome sequencing and genetic characterization, which show it to be distinct from DUGV.

Unprecedented helix-based microporous metal-organic frameworks constructed from a single ligand.

Unprecedented helix-based MMOFs with a cylindrical channel constructed from a single, newly designed Na(2)Pra(2)biim [Na(2)Pra(2)biim = 1,1'-di(propionic acid)-2,2'-biimidazole disodium salt], [M(Pra(2)biim)(H(2)O)](n) x xnH(2)O (M = Cd, Pb) have been presented, which are built from alternately arranged left- and right-handed helical M-biim tubes interconnected by the carboxyl arms of the ligand, and these findings reveal the promising potential of functionalized helical ligands in the construction of helix-based MMOFs from a single linker.

Tracking epidemic Chikungunya virus into the Indian Ocean from East Africa.

The largest documented outbreak of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) disease occurred in the Indian Ocean islands and India during 2004-2007. The magnitude of this outbreak led to speculation that a new variant of the virus had emerged that was either more virulent or more easily transmitted by mosquito vectors. To study this assertion, it is important to know the origin of the virus and how the particular strain circulating during the outbreak is related to other known strains.

Complex two-gene modulation of lung disease severity in children with cystic fibrosis.

Although cystic fibrosis (CF) is a monogenic disease, its clinical manifestations are influenced in a complex manner. Severity of lung disease, the main cause of mortality among CF patients, is likely modulated by several genes. The mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene encodes an innate immune response protein and has been implicated as a pulmonary modifier in CF.

Seroprevalence of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection on Lamu Island, Kenya, October 2004.

An outbreak of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) disease associated with high fever and severe protracted arthralgias was detected in Lamu, Kenya, peaking in July 2004. At least 1,300 cases were documented. We conducted a seroprevalence study to define the magnitude of transmission on Lamu Island.

Vector competence of Kenyan Culex zombaensis and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes for Rift Valley fever virus.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) continues to be a significant problem in Kenya as well as in Egypt, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia. In order to determine the ability of Kenyan mosquitoes to transmit RVF virus (RVFV), we collected mosquitoes in the Lake Naivasha region of Kenya and evaluated them for their potential to transmit RVFV under laboratory conditions. After feeding on a hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) with a viremia of 10(9.

Entomologic investigations of a chikungunya virus epidemic in the Union of the Comoros, 2005.

From January to April 2005, an epidemic of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) illness occurred in the Union of Comoros. Entomological studies were undertaken during the peak of the outbreak, from March 11 to March 31, aimed at identifying the primary vector(s) involved in transmission so that appropriate public health measures could be implemented. Adult mosquitoes were collected by backpack aspiration and human landing collection in homes and neighborhoods of clinically ill patients.

Laboratory diagnosis of Ebola hemorrhagic fever during an outbreak in Yambio, Sudan, 2004.

Between the months of April and June 2004, an Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) outbreak was reported in Yambio county, southern Sudan. Blood samples were collected from a total of 36 patients with suspected EHF and were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for immunoglobulin G and M antibodies, antigen ELISA, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of a segment of the Ebolavirus (EBOV) polymerase gene. A total of 13 patients were confirmed to be infected with EBOV.

Absolute metastable atom-atom collision cross section measurements using a magneto-optical trap.

We present a new technique to measure absolute total collision cross sections from metastable neon atoms. The technique is based on the observation of the decay rate of trapped atoms as they collide with room temperature atoms. We present the first measurement of this kind using trapped neon atoms in the (3)P(2) metastable state colliding with thermal ground state argon.

Spatiotemporal distribution of diurnal yellow fever vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) at two sylvan interfaces in Kenya, East Africa.

Yellow fever virus (YFV) remains a significant public health threat in sub-Saharan Africa in which 90% of the estimated 200,000 cases occur annually. In East Africa, human cases of YFV are characterized by unpredictable focal periodicity, lengthy inter-epidemic periods, and a precarious potential for large epidemics. YFV had remained undetected in this region for nearly 40 years until emerging in Kenya in 1992-93 and more recently in Sudan during 2003 and 2005.

Seroprevalence of Chikungunya virus infection on Grande Comore Island, union of the Comoros, 2005.

An outbreak of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) illness associated with high fever combined with prolonged and severe arthralgias occurred on Grande Comore Island from January through May 2005; 5,202 cases were reported. A seroprevalence study was conducted to define the extent of transmission on the island. We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a multistage sampling technique.

alpha(1)-Adrenergic receptor stimulation of cell motility requires phospholipase D-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation.

Phospholipase D is suspected to play a role in tumorigenesis, and the inhibition of phospholipase D has been associated with changes in several cellular events including invasion and migration. We report here that the specific alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor agonist, phenylepherine, signals to a growth factor pathway in a manner that requires phospholipase D activity in CCL39 fibroblasts. Phenylepherine increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation eightfold and promoted stress fiber formation threefold.

Drought-associated chikungunya emergence along coastal East Africa.

Epidemics of chikungunya fever, an Aedes spp.-borne viral disease, affected hundreds of thousands of people in western Indian Ocean islands and India during 2005-2006. The initial outbreaks occurred in coastal Kenya (Lamu, then Mombasa) in 2004.

Infection and vertical transmission of Kamiti river virus in laboratory bred Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Kamiti river virus (KRV) is an insect-only Flavivirus that was isolated from field-collected Ae. macintoshi mosquitoes in 1999, and is closely related to cell fusing agent virus. Both of these viruses belong to the family Flaviviridae, which also contains other viruses of medical importance, such as yellow fever virus, West Nile virus and dengue.