Virus Weekly back issues from June 2009:
USC researchers uncover mechanism that allows influenza virus to evade the body's immune response.
Jun 02, 2009 ... Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) have identified a critical molecular mechanism that allows the influenza virus to evade the body's immune response system (see also University of Southern California). The study will be published in the May 21 issue of ...
Investigators at University of Georgia, Medical Department target asthma.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Infections with respiratory pathogens such as respiratory syncytial virus and rhinovirus have been associated with the development of long-term chronic airway disease. To better understand the events responsible for this clinical outcome, a rodent model of virus-induced chronic airway ...
Findings in Epstein-Barr virus reported from La Sapienza University.(Report)
Jun 02, 2009 ... "EBV lytic cycle activators, such as phorbol esters, anti-immunoglobulin, transforming growth factor b (TGFb), sodium butyrate, induce apoptosis in EBV-negative but not in EBV-positive Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cells. To investigate the molecular mechanisms allowing EBV-infected cells to be ...
Researchers from National Institutes of Health describe findings in gene therapy.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "The licensed smallpox vaccine, comprised of infectious vaccinia virus, has associated adverse effects, particularly for immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, safer DNA and protein vaccines are being investigated," scientists in the United States report (see also Gene Therapy). ...
Recent findings in hantavirus described by W.Y. Zhang and colleagues.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "To understand the spatial distribution of hantavirus infections across landscapes and its influencing environment factors in Beijing, People's Republic of China, rodents captured in this region were examined for hantavirus by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. A total of ...
New research on herpes zoster virus from S. Nithyanandam and co-authors summarized.(Clinical report)
Jun 02, 2009 ... " Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) is characterized by a typical vesicular eruption affecting the distribution of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve which can be of varying severity. The correlation of eruption severity and ocular involvement and subsequent visual loss is ...
Research from K. Tveten and co-researchers provides new data on hypercholesterolemia.(Report)
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Familial hypercholesterolemia is caused by mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene. The synonymous mutation R385R has been shown to introduce a cryptic splice site in exon 9. The aims of this study were to establish to what extent the cryptic splice site is selected ...
Reports outline life sciences study findings from A. Aiyar and colleagues.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Epstein-Barr virus is replicated once per cell-cycle, and partitioned equally in latently infected cells. Both these processes require a single viral cis-element, termed oriP, and a single viral protein, EBNA1," scientists in the United States report (see also Life Sciences). ...
Studies from M.P. Pender et al in the area of multiple sclerosis described.
Jun 02, 2009 ... In this recently published article, scientists in Brisbane, Australia conducted a study "To investigate T cell and antibody immunity to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in multiple sclerosis (MS). Immunoglobulin G (IgG) immunity to EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and viral capsid antigen was ...
Reports outline proteomics study findings from J.M. Kovacs and colleagues.
Jun 02, 2009 ... According to a study from the United States, "Complement receptor 2 (CR2, CD21) is a cell membrane protein, with 15 or 16 extracellular short consensus repeats (SCRs), that promotes B lymphocyte responses and bridges innate and acquired immunity. The most distally located SCRs (SCR1-2) ...
Study results from B. Makhoul and colleagues update understanding of west nile virus.
Jun 02, 2009 ... According to a study from Haifa, Israel, "West Nile virus, the etiologic agent of West Nile fever, is an emerging mosquito-borne disease. WNV was recognized as a cause of severe human meningoencephalitis in elderly patients during outbreaks in various parts of the world." "To ...
Research on Epstein-Barr virus reported by scientists at University of Rochester, Department of Dermatology.(Report)
Jun 02, 2009 ... Research findings, 'Epstein-Barr virus WZhet DNA can induce lytic replication in epithelial cells in vitro, although WZhet is not detectable in many human tissues in vivo,' are discussed in a new report. According to recent research from the United States, "WZhet is a rearranged and ...
Researchers at University of Cologne target adenovirus.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Diseases associated with viruses also found in environmental samples cause major health problems in developing countries. Little is known about the frequency and pattern of viral contamination of drinking water sources in these resource-poor settings," researchers in Cologne, Germany ...
Scientists at Boston University, Medical Department publish research in aging.
Jun 02, 2009 ... According to a study from the United States, "Our recent reports indicated that polyploidization of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) serves as a biomarker for aging, and that the polyploid state is linked to a higher incidence of senescence in vivo. Here, we found that NADPH ...
Research from Wayne State University yields new findings on antivirals.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Stereoselective synthesis of antiviral synguanol (1) is described. Reaction of 6-benzyloxy-2-(dimethylaminomethyleneamino)purine (10) with ethyl (cis,trans)-2-chloro-2-(chloromethyl) cyclopropane-1-carboxylate (2c) under the conditions of alkylation-elimination gave (Z)-6- ...
New baculovirus study findings have been reported by scientists at GlaxoSmithKline.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Identification of small-molecule inhibitors by high-throughput screening necessitates the development of robust, reproducible and cost-effective assays. The assay approach adopted may utilize isolated proteins or whole cells containing the target of interest," scientists in Harlow, the ...
Research conducted at A. Macneil and co-authors has provided new information about chickenpox.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Monkeypox virus and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) cause visually similar rash illnesses. Monkeypox is more virulent, with fatality rates up to 10%," investigators in the United States report (see also Chickenpox). "In June 2007, reports were received of a rash illness outbreak ...
New cytomegalovirus data have been reported by B.J. Shi and co-authors.
Jun 02, 2009 ... According to a study from Scotland, "We previously described interviral recombinant RNAs derived from a chimeric virus having RNAs 1 and 2 of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) with RNA 3 from the related tomato aspermy virus (TAV) and the 2b gene from either TAV or another strain of CMV. Here, ...
Research from C.H. Cook and co-researchers provides new data on cytomegalovirus.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Control of acute murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection is dependent upon both innate and adaptive immune responses, relying primarily upon natural killer (NK) and T-cell responses for control. Although CD28/B7 plays a clear role in T-cell responses in many antigen systems including some ...
New dengue fever research reported from University of Queensland.
Jun 02, 2009 ... According to a study from Australia, "A virulent strain of the obligate intracellular bacterium Wolbachia pipientis that shortens insect lifespan has recently been transinfected into the primary mosquito vector of dengue virus, Aedes aegypti L. The microbe's ability to shorten lifespan and ...
Studies in the area of dengue fever reported from T. Peng and co-researchers.(Report)
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Caveolae- and clathrin-mediated endocytosis are major internalization pathways used by several pathogens; however, their distinctive roles in dengue virus (DV) entry have not been addressed. In this study, we compared the involvement of caveolae- and clathrin-mediated endocytosis in the ...
Research conducted at Y. Maeno and co-authors has provided new information about diarrhea.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "We studied the role of osteopontin (OPN) in host responses against rotavirus (RV) infection. OPN knockout (OPN-KO) suckling mice were more susceptible to RV (strain EW) infection and showed prolonged diarrhea duration compared to wild-type (WT) suckling mice," investigators in Kutsukake, ...
New gastroenterology study findings have been reported from University of Zurich.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "The concentrative nucleoside transporter-1 (CNT1) is a member of the solute carrier 28 (SLC28) gene family and is expressed in the liver, intestine, and kidneys. CNT1 mediates the uptake of naturally occurring pyrimidine nucleosides, but also nucleoside analogs used in anticancer and ...
New findings from University of Turin describe advances in herpesvirus.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Human herpesvirus 7 is a highly seroprevalent beta-herpesvirus that, following primary infection, remains latent in CD4+ T cells and determines a persistent rather than a latent infection in various tissues and organs, including the lung and skin. This paper describes the development of ...
Study data from S. Hao et al provide new insights into herpesvirus.(Report)
Jun 02, 2009 ... According to a study from the United States, "We examined the analgesic properties of endomorphin-2 expressed in DRG neurons transduced with a non-replicating herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based vector containing a synthetic endomorphin-2 gene construct. HSV-mediated endomorphin-2 expression ...
Research from Drexel University in the area of influenza published.(Report)
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Supplementation with mushroom-derived active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) modulates immunity and increases survival in response to a broad spectrum of acute infections, including influenza virus infection. However, dose-response data are nonexistent," scientists in the United States ...
Research from McMaster University provide new insights into influenza.(Report)
Jun 02, 2009 ... " The pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with acute episodes of bacterial exacerbations. The most commonly isolated bacteria during episodes of exacerbation is nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI)," researchers in Hamilton, Canada report (see also ...
Researchers from Hokkaido University, Medical Department discuss findings in influenza.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Many influenza A viruses form plaques on Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells in the presence of trypsin," scientists in Sapporo, Japan report (see also Influenza). "A/duck/Siberia/272/1998 (H13N6) (Sib272), however, does not form plaque on MDCK cells. After three blind ...
Researchers from University of Hong Kong, Medical Department provide details of new studies and findings in the area of influenza.
Jun 02, 2009 ... According to recent research from Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, "Estimates of the clinical-onset serial interval of human influenza infection (time between onset of symptoms in an index case and a secondary case) are used to inform public health policy and to construct ...
Reports from A.C. Mishra and colleagues advance knowledge in life sciences.(Report)
Jun 02, 2009 ... According to a study from Pune, India, "A focal H5N1 outbreak in poultry was reported from Manipur, a north-eastern state, of India, in 2007. The aim of this study was to genetically characterize the Manipur isolate to understand the relationship with other H5N1 isolates and to trace the ...
Reports from L.Q. Qiu and co-researchers add new data to research in life sciences.
Jun 02, 2009 ... According to a study from Singapore, Singapore, "Viperin (virus inhibitory protein, endoplasmic reticulum [ER]-associated, interferon-inducible) has been identified as a highly inducible ER protein that has antiviral activity. Here, we characterized the phenotype of mice deficient in ...
Researchers at University of Agriculture publish new data on life sciences.(Report)
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Previous studies indicate that the UL31 protein and its homology play similar roles in nuclear egress of all herpesviruses. However, there is no report on the UL31 gene product of DEV," investigators in Yaan, People's Republic of China report (see also Life Sciences). "In this ...
Studies from Aristotle University add new findings in the area of life sciences.(Report)
Jun 02, 2009 ... According to a study from Thessaloniki, Greece, "Diazepam (DZ) belongs to benzodiazepines, a group of drugs used for sedation, for the relief of anxiety, and in the treatment of epilepsy. It has been found that DZ influences cytotoxic activity and diminishes antiviral and antitumor ...
Scientists at Wayne State University describe research in otitis media.(Report)
Jun 02, 2009 ... According to a study from the United States, "We performed this study to determine the role of nasopharyngeal and middle ear (ME) biofilms in acute otitis media (AOM). Sixty female 6-month-old chinchillas, free of ME disease, were utilized." "Experimental animals were inoculated ...
Research results from Comenius University update understanding of pandemics.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "The aim of this paper is to assess the expected socio-economic impacts of various scenarios of pandemic influenza mitigation on the economy and mortality for Slovakia. Compared to similar past studies (e.g," scientists in Bratislava, Slovakia report (see also Pandemics). "Van ...
Scientists at Linkoping University target pandemics.
Jun 02, 2009 ... According to recent research from Sweden, " To examine the validity and usefulness of pandemic simulations aimed at informing practical decision-making in public health. We recruited a multidisciplinary group of nine experts to assess a case-study simulation of influenza transmission in a ...
Scientists at University of New South Wales discuss research in pandemics.(Report)
Jun 02, 2009 ... According to recent research from Kensington, Australia, "There is a general consensus that another influenza pandemic is inevitable. Although health care workers (HCWs) are essential to the health system response, there are few studies exploring HCW attitudes to pandemic influenza." ...
Reports from University of Melbourne describe recent advances in rhinitis.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV), genus Erbovirus, is most closely related to the Cardiovirus genus in the family Picornaviridae. The structural proteins (VP1-4) of erboviruses are not well described, but are predicted by sequence to be 35, 29,26 and 7 kDa," scientists writing in the ...
Research conducted at S. Tylor and co-authors has provided new information about severe acute respiratory syndrome.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "The multimerization/self-interaction of viral proteins is an important step in the process of viral assembly and maturation. Our previous study indicated that the severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) nucleocapsid protein forms self-multimers through a ...
New stem cell research from Columbia University outlined.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and other primitive stem cells of mice have been known for more than 30 years to potently block retrovirus replication(1). Infection of ESCs by the murine leukaemia viruses (MLVs) results in the normal establishment of integrated proviral DNA, but this DNA is ...
Research results from I. Rochlin and colleagues update understanding of west nile virus.
Jun 02, 2009 ... "Culex species were monitored at three proximate sites with historically different West Nile virus (WNV) activities. The site with human WNV transmission (epidemic) had the lowest abundance of the putative bridge vectors, Culex pipiens and Cx. salinarius," scientists in the United States ...
Studies from National Center for Epidemiology, Division of Virology describe new findings in acute gastroenteritis in children.
Jun 02, 2009 ... A new study, 'Detection of human bocavirus from fecal samples of Hungarian children with acute gastroenteritis,' is now available. "Human bocavirus (HBoV), a newly identified member of the Parvoviridae family is associated with respiratory tract and gastroenteric infections, mostly of ...
Findings from Institute of Health broaden understanding of cardiology.(Report)
Jun 02, 2009 ... Current study results from the report, 'Prohibitin protects against oxidative stress-induced cell injury in cultured neonatal cardiomyocyte,' have been published. "Oxidative stress is one of the main causes of myocardial injury, which is associated with cardiomyocyte death. Mitochondria ...
Reports summarize herpesvirus prevention study results from University of Medical Sciences.(Report)
Jun 02, 2009 ... Data detailed in 'Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide reduces the latency rate in herpes simplex virus type-1 infections' have been presented. "During the latency period of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), the virus can occasionally reactivate, travel back to the eye and cause recurrent ...
Scientists at John Radcliffe Hospital, Department of Paediatrics target influenza.
Jun 02, 2009 ... New investigation results, 'Lex2B, a phase-variable glycosyltransferase, adds either a glucose or a galactose to Haemophilus influenzae lipopolysaccharide,' are detailed in a study published in Infection and Immunity. According to a study from Headington, the United Kingdom, "Nontypeable ...
Research from University of Calgary, Department of Medical Science has provided new information about life sciences.
Jun 02, 2009 ... Scientists discuss in 'Cryptococcus neoformans directly stimulates perforin production and rearms NK cells for enhanced anticryptococcal microbicidal activity' new findings in life sciences. "NK cells, in addition to possessing antitumor and antiviral activity, exhibit perforin-dependent ...
Studies in the area of life sciences reported from M.P. Cayer and co-researchers.
Jun 02, 2009 ... Fresh data on life sciences are presented in the report 'c-Src tyrosine kinase co-associates with and phosphorylates signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b which mediates the proliferation of normal human B lymphocytes.' "c-Src is the normal human cellular protein homologue of ...
Research from University of Istanbul yields new findings on pneumonia.
Jun 02, 2009 ... A new study, 'Comparison of in vitro activities of tigecycline with other antimicrobial agents against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis in two university hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey,' is now available. "We compared the in vitro activities of ...
Studies from Y.G. Zhu et al have provided new data on severe acute respiratory syndrome immunology.
Jun 02, 2009 ... A report, 'Differential characteristics of the early stage of lung inflammation induced by SARS-CoV Nucleocapsid protein related to age in the mouse,' is newly published data in Inflammation Research. According to recent research from Shanghai, People's Republic of China, "Severe acute ...
AutoGenomics New RVP Assay Addresses Current Challenge to Detect Flu a - Swine H1N1.
Jun 02, 2009 ... AutoGenomics, a leader in developing automated molecular testing solutions, announced that a Canadian team comprised of the Canada Research Chair in Medical Genomics, Professor Jacques Corbeil and Canada Research Chair on new viruses and antiviral resistance, Professor Guy Boivin has used ...
Carnival Corporation & plc Reports Financial Impact of Itinerary Changes Responding to H1N1 Influenza Mexico Travel Advisory; Plans Rapid Return to Popular Mexican Ports.
Jun 02, 2009 ... Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE CUK) announced a financial impact estimated at approximately $0.05 per share, the majority of which will be incurred in the second fiscal quarter of 2009, as a result of modifications to cruise itineraries for the six-week period ended June ...
Ecolab and National Restaurant Association Co-Sponsor Panel Discussion on Pandemic Preparedness Planning.(Discussion)
Jun 02, 2009 ... Ecolab Inc. and the National Restaurant Association (NRA) are co-sponsoring a panel discussion regarding pandemic preparedness planning on Saturday, May 16. The event is part of this year's National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, scheduled for May 16-19 in Chicago, ...
Premier Herpes Dating Website, www.TwoCan.com, to Aid in Finding a Cure for Herpes.
Jun 02, 2009 ... TwoCan.com(TM) announces the full release of its herpes dating website, www.TwoCan.com and its commitment to help find a cure by donating a percentage of profits to Duke University's herpes research. TwoCan.com is the first and only dating site created exclusively to help millions of ...
Pandemic passenger screening.
Jun 02, 2009 ... Four major US national laboratories have worked together to develop a computer model to help airport authorities screen passengers for pandemic influenza. The tool can help estimate false negatives, people with influenza who slip through the screening process, and so assess the risk of ...
A New Era in the Application of Lab-on-a-Chip to Rapid Point-of-Care Diagnosis.
Jun 02, 2009 ... Hai Kang Life Corporation Limited (HKLife) announces further developments of its patented field-assisted LOAC (Lab-on-a-Chip) system, EFADchip technology at the BIO 2009 International Convention, the Global Event for Biotechnology held in Atlanta, through 18-21 May 2009. The BIO ...
CORRECTION: Viral Genetics Pursues Promising New Therapy for Lyme Disease With Grant from Time for Lyme, Inc.(Correction notice)
Jun 02, 2009 ... On April 16, 2009 and March 18, 2009, biotechnology firm Viral Genetics, Inc. (Pink Sheets: VRAL) announced "that the company is pursing a promising new therapy for Lyme Disease with funding from Time for Lyme, Inc., and the Turn Corner Foundation." This correction is to clarify that those ...
Americans Support U.S. Working to Improve Health in Developing Countries.
Jun 02, 2009 ... Despite the economic downturn, a new poll shows a large majority of Americans support U.S. efforts to improve health in poor countries. This support is grounded in altruistic concern for the poor, but it also comes from a sense that in today's interconnected world a health crisis anywhere ...
MedAire Flu Kit Helps Prevent H1N1, Seasonal Flu.
Jun 02, 2009 ... In the wake of the current H1N1 influenza outbreak, and due to high client demand, MedAire has developed a Flu Kit to help aviation and maritime crewmembers prevent the spread of H1N1 and seasonal influenza (see also MedAire, Inc.). "MedAire's Flu Kit offers a complete solution ...
NanoViricides, Inc. Announces Additional Herpes Keratitis Study.
Jun 02, 2009 ... NanoViricides, Inc. (OTC BB: NNVC.OB) (the "Company"), announced that the Institutional Review Committee of a major research institute in New York has approved an investigator-initiated in vivo study which will evaluate certain topical nanoviricide eye drug candidates. This approved ...
Many Companies Preparing on Global Scale for A(H1N1) 'Swine Flu' Pandemic, According to Global Survey by Councils of the Conference Board.
Jun 02, 2009 ... Many global companies have activated a pandemic response plan to the threat of an A(H1N1) "swine flu" pandemic, according to a survey released by The Conference Board (see also Pandemics). The survey of 121 members of 44 Councils of The Conference Board was taken during the week ...
Research from University of Alabama in central nervous system infection provides new insights.
Jun 09, 2009 ... "Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is an uncommon neoplastic complication of kidney transplantation, affecting about 1% of recipients. It is generally associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection of B-lineage lymphocytes," researchers in the United States report (see ...
Findings from Washington University, Medical Department provide new insights into depression.(Report)
Jun 09, 2009 ... "Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), a neuraminidase inhibitor, is widely used for treatment of influenza. Because abnormal behaviors have been observed in some Japanese teenagers following oseltamivir use, its safety has been questioned," scientists in the United States report (see also Depression). ...
Scientists at Cardiff University target Epstein-Barr virus.(Report)
Jun 09, 2009 ... "B-lymphocytes are essential for the production of antibodies to fight pathogens and are the cells of origin in 95% of human lymphomas. During their activation, and immortalisation by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) which contributes to human cancers, B-lymphocytes undergo dramatic changes in ...
Findings from W.H. Lo et al in gene therapy reported.
Jun 09, 2009 ... According to recent research from Hsinchu, Taiwan, "Baculovirus is a promising gene delivery vector but its widespread application is impeded as it only mediates transient transgene expression in mammalian cells. To prolong the expression, we developed a dual baculovirus system whereby one ...
New data from X.H. Zhou et al illuminate research in glaucoma.(Report)
Jun 09, 2009 ... According to a study from the United States, "Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness. The ultimate cause of vision loss in glaucoma is thought to be retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death." "Neuroprotection of RGC is therefore an important goal of glaucoma therapy. Several ...