Virus Weekly articles from December 2008

Virus Weekly archives from December 2008

Common cold virus came from birds.
December 2, 2008... A virus that causes cold-like symptoms in humans originated in birds and may have crossed the species barrier around 200 years ago, according to an article published in the December issue of the Journal of General Virology. Scientists hope...

Research from Rutgers University broadens understanding of influenza.
December 2, 2008... "Influenza A viruses are responsible for seasonal epidemics and high mortality pandemics. A major function of the viral NS1A protein, a virulence factor, is the inhibition of the production of IFN-beta mRNA and other antiviral mRNAs,"...

GARDASIL, Merck's Cervical Cancer Vaccine, Demonstrated Efficacy in Preventing HPV-Related Disease in Males in Phase III Study.(Report)
December 2, 2008... GARDASIL[R] [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant], the cervical cancer vaccine from Merck & Co., Inc., prevented 90 percent of external genital lesions caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6,...

Researchers from University of Texas describe findings in respiratory syncytial virus.
December 2, 2008... According to recent research from the United States, "Infection by RNA viruses is detected by the host through Toll-like receptors or RIG-I-like receptors. Toll-like receptors and RIG-I-like receptors signal through the adaptors MyD88 and MAVS,...

Studies from University of Alabama have provided new data on stem cell research.
December 2, 2008... According to recent research from the United States, "Adult stem cells represent a potential source for cell-based therapy of cancer. The present study evaluated the potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), genetically...

Reports from University of Texas describe recent advances in respiratory syncytial virus.(Report)
December 2, 2008... Investigators publish new data in the report 'Respiratory syncytial virus persistence in the lungs correlates with airway hyperreactivity in the mouse model.' "Previous studies in mice showed that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection was...

Findings from S. Decastro and co-researchers advance knowledge in antivirals.
December 2, 2008... According to recent research published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, "Analogues of the 4''-benzoyl-ureido-TSAO derivative (1) modified at different positions have been prepared and evaluated against wild-type strains of HCMV and murine...

Studies from Zhejiang University reveal new findings on antivirals.
December 2, 2008... According to recent research published in the journal Science in China Series C - Life Sciences, "The cDNA encoding an antiviral protein SP-2 against BmNPV was cloned from the midgut of Chinese wild silkworm, Bombyx mandarina Moore (GenBank...

Study results from T. Yi and colleagues broaden understanding of arteriosclerosis.(Report)
December 2, 2008... "Graft arteriosclerosis (GA) is an important factor limiting long-term outcomes after organ transplantation. We have used a chimeric humanized mouse system to model this arteriopathy in human vessels, and found that the morphologic and...

New findings from Ruhr University in the area of cardiology published.
December 2, 2008... According to recent research from Bochum, Germany, "The R145G amino acid exchange in the inhibitory subunit (cTnI) of cardiac troponin, which regulates muscle contraction, is related to familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Information on its...

Data on central nervous system disease published by S.S. Jhee and colleagues.
December 2, 2008... According to recent research from Basel, Switzerland, "Oseltamivir is a potent, well-tolerated antiviral for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza. Although no relationship with treatment could be demonstrated, recent reports of abnormal...

Research data from A. Sas and colleagues update understanding of central nervous system disease.(Report)
December 2, 2008... "The central nervous system (CNS) is known to be an immunologically privileged organ in the body largely because the blood brain barrier (BBB) prevents the flow of large molecules, proteins, and cells from crossing into the CNS from the...

Research conducted at Leiden University has provided new information about coronavirus.
December 2, 2008... "Positive-strand RNA viruses, a large group including human pathogens such as SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV), replicate in the cytoplasm of infected host cells. Their replication complexes are commonly associated with modified host cell...

New cytokines research from Z. Blacholszewska et al outlined.
December 2, 2008... According to recent research published in the Journal of Interferon and Cytokine Research, "Extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis display a wide spectrum of antiviral activity. It was of great interest to check the effect of baicalein and wogonin...

Research conducted at G.L. Pira and co-researchers has updated our knowledge about cytomegalovirus.
December 2, 2008... "Administration of path ogen-specific T-cell lines reconstitute the cellular immune function of immunocompromised patients. Selection and expansion of specific T cells for reinfusion pose unique challenges owing to the fact that good...

Research from University of Pennsylvania in the area of herpesvirus published.
December 2, 2008... "Two novel series of 5-fluoroalkyl-2'-deoxyuridines (FPrDU, FBuDU, FPeDU) and 2'-fluoro-2'-deoxy-5-fluoroalkylarabinouridines (FFPrAU, FFBuAU, FFPeAU) that have three, four, or five methylene units (propyl, butyl, or pentyl) at C-5 were...

New human t-lymphotropic virus study findings have been reported from University of Dundee.
December 2, 2008... According to a study from Scotland, "Human T-cell leukaemia virus (HTLV-1) and bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) entry into cells is mediated by envelope glycoprotein catalyzed membrane fusion and is achieved by folding of the transmembrane...

Reports outline influenza research from D.F. Sahm and colleagues.
December 2, 2008... According to a study from the United States, "Antimicrobial resistance by common respiratory tract pathogens rernains a global concern, but Surveillance programs allow us to recognize trends in Susceptibility that may help guide empiric...

Research data from Stanford University update understanding of influenza.
December 2, 2008... According to recent research published in the Biophysical Journal, "Binding of cell surface glycans by influenza hemagglutinin controls viral attachment and infection of host cells. This binding is a three-way interaction between viral...

New life sciences research from Cardiff University outlined.
December 2, 2008... According to a study from Wales, "We report the application of the phosphoramidate ProTide approach, developed by us for antiviral nucleosides, to sugar derivatives with potential chondroprotection against osteoarthritis. In particular,...

Studies in the area of life sciences reported from Zhejiang University.(Report)
December 2, 2008... "We investigated variations in the gene expression of Bombyx man following infection with a densonucleosis virus (BmDNV-Z). Two B. mori near-isogenic lines, Jingsong and Jingsong.nsd-Z.NIL, which are highly susceptible and completely resistant...

Research from D.F. Sahm and co-researchers provides new data on pneumonia.
December 2, 2008... According to recent research published in the journal Postgraduate Medicine, "Antimicrobial resistance observed among common respiratory tract pathogens-Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis-may complicate...

Scientists at University of Queensland detail research in protease.
December 2, 2008... "West Nile virus (WNV) has spread rapidly around the globe, efficiently crossing species from migrating birds into humans and other mammals. The viral protease NS2B-NS3 is important for WNV replication and recognizes dibasic substrate sequences...

New sexually transmitted disease study findings have been published by S.S. Philip and colleagues.
December 2, 2008... According to recent research from the United States, "Herpes simplex virus type 2 infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases." "Because presentation is often atypical or subclinical, serologic testing is necessary...

Data on ulcerative colitis discussed by researchers at University of Barcelona.(Clinical report)
December 2, 2008... According to a study from Spain, "Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been reported in ulcerative colitis (UC). especially in severe, steroid-refractory disease. However, its role in steroid-refractoriness remains unknown." "Our coals were...

Studies from University of Iowa, Department of Urology have provided new data on influenza cell biology.(Report)
December 2, 2008... Research findings, 'Influenza-induced expression of functional tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells,' are discussed in a new report. "The immunologic response to influenza virus...

Study results from Southern Research Institute in the area of influenza therapy published.
December 2, 2008... Investigators publish new data in the report 'High-throughput screening of a 100,000-compound library for inhibitors of influenza A virus (H3N2).' According to recent research from the United States, "Using a highly reproducible and robust...

Reports from National Pingtung University of Science and Technology highlight recent research in life sciences.
December 2, 2008... Data detailed in 'Activation of small GTPases RhoA and Rac1 is required for avian reovirus p10-induced syncytium formation' have been presented. According to a study from Pingtung, Taiwan, "The first ORF of the ARV S1133 S1 segment encodes the...

Studies from Johann Wolfgang Goethe University yield new information about proteomics.
December 2, 2008... Investigators publish new data in the report 'Rapid identification and sorting of viable virus-reactive CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells based on antigen-triggered CD137 expression.' According to recent research published in the Journal of...

Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Agriculture reports research in tobacco mosaic virus therapy.
December 2, 2008... Current study results from the report, 'Accumulation of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) at different depths clay and loamy sand textural soils due to tobacco waste application,' have been published. "The effects of tobacco waste (TW) application to...

Compugen Reports Third Quarter 2008 Financial Results.(Financial report)
December 2, 2008... Compugen Ltd. (NASDAQ:CGEN) reported financial results for the third quarter ending September 30, 2008 (see also Compugen Ltd.). Martin Gerstel, Compugen's chairman, stated, "The field of peptide therapeutics is of significant interest to...

Free White Paper Discusses Complexity of Virus Testing for Biological Products, How Best to Partner With Contract Labs.
December 2, 2008... As the number of biological drugs continues to increase, so does the complexity involved in the virus contamination testing of those products. A free white paper discussing the challenges of virus contamination testing - along with tips on how...

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Announces Issuance of 30th U.S. Patent.
December 2, 2008... Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX: ONC, NASDAQ: ONCY) ("Oncolytics") announced that it has been granted its 30th U.S. Patent, # 7,452,723, entitled "Methods for Preventing Reovirus Recognition for the Treatment of Cellular Proliferative Disorders."...

Scripps research scientists discover new cause of fatal brain injury from acute viral meningitis.
December 2, 2008... In a November 16 advance, online publication of the journal Nature, the researchers say their discovery revamps common beliefs about how such potentially lethal infections may be ravaging the brain and suggests the possibility of new treatments...

American Lung Association Celebrates 101st Annual Christmas Seals Campaign.
December 2, 2008... Millions will receive Christmas Seals in the mail this month, courtesy of the American Lung Association. These decorative holiday stamps are part of an annual fundraising tradition dating back to 1907 when the Lung Association led efforts to...

New data from M.A. Hofmann et al illuminate research in bird flu.
December 9, 2008... According to recent research from Switzerland, "In the winter 2005/2006 H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) reached Western Europe and caused numerous deaths primarily in migratory water birds. Between February and April 2006...

Recent findings in bird flu described by N. Golender and colleagues.(Report)
December 9, 2008... According to a study from Bet Dagan, Israel, "Our aim was to establish the phylogenetic and genetic relationships among avian influenza viruses (AIV) recently isolated from poultry in Israel. During this study we analyzed complete nucleotide...

New enzyme research study results from University of North Carolina described.(Report)
December 9, 2008... "We have recently shown that interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) is activated by Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, through receptor-interacting...

New data from Massachusetts General Hospital illuminate research in HIV/AIDS co-infection.
December 9, 2008... According to recent research published in the journal Blood, "Exhaustion of virus-specific T cells may play an important role in the pathophysiology of chronic viral infections. Here, we analyzed telomere length and telomerase activity in...

Study data from I. Capua and colleagues update understanding of immunization.
December 9, 2008... "Although the use of vaccines against avian influenza viruses in birds has been discouraged over the years, the unprecedented occurrence of outbreaks caused by avian influenza (AI) viruses in recent times has required review of this policy. A...

Studies from P.S. Bhattacharjee and colleagues provide new data on keratitis.
December 9, 2008... In this recent study, researchers in the United States conducted a study "To evaluate efficacy of the small apolipoprotein E (apoE) mimetic dimer peptide (apoEdp) in the treatment of herpetic stromal keratitis in a mouse ocular model and...

Studies from University Hospital in the area of influenza published.
December 9, 2008... Researchers detail in 'Dry cotton or flocked respiratory swabs as a simple collection technique for the molecular detection of respiratory viruses using real-time NASBA,' new data in influenza. "This paper describes the molecular detection of...

New antimicrobials research from H. Das et al outlined.
December 9, 2008... According to recent research from Izatnagar, India, "beta-Defensin antimicrobial peptides are multifunctional biomolecules, which are a major component of the oxygen-independent microbicidal system of buffalo polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells. They...

Research on antiviral therapy described by A. Tramice and colleagues.
December 9, 2008... According to a study from Naples, Italy, "The biological activities of a series of mono- and oligosaccharides (beta-xylosides and alpha-glucosides) of 9-fluorenylmethanol were investigated together with mono-beta-galactoside and beta-glucoside...

Reports summarize antivirals study results from University of Nebraska.
December 9, 2008... "Plant RNA silencing machinery enlists four primary classes of proteins to achieve sequence-specific regulation of gene expression and mount an antiviral defense. These include Dicer-like ribonucleases (DCLs), Argonaute proteins (AGOs),...

Research on antivirals detailed by M. Ohainle and co-authors.
December 9, 2008... "The primate APOBEC3 gene locus encodes a family of proteins (APOBEC3A-H) with various antiviral and anti retroelement activities. Here, we trace the evolution of APOBEC3H activity in hominoids to identify a human-specific loss of APOBEC3H...

Studies from University of Regina reveal new findings on chronic fatigue syndrome.(Report)
December 9, 2008... According to a study from Regina, Canada, "This study examined the effects of maximal incremental exercise on cerebral oxygenation in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) subjects. Furthermore, we tested the hypothesis that CFS subjects have a...

Study data from Radboud University update knowledge of chronic fatigue syndrome.
December 9, 2008... According to recent research published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, "A minimal intervention, based on cognitive-behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome and consisting of self-instructions combined with email contact, was...

Studies from G. Vestergaard and colleagues reveal new findings on DNA research.
December 9, 2008... According to recent research from Paris, France, "A newly characterized archaeal rudivirus Stygiolobus rod-shaped virus (SRV), which infects a hyperthermophilic Stygiolobus species, was isolated from a hot spring in the Azores, Portugal. Its...

Research conducted at University of Iowa has provided new information about influenza.
December 9, 2008... According to recent research from the United States, "Elimination of influenza virus-infected cells during primary influenza virus infections is thought to be mediated by CD8(+) T cells though perforin- and FasL-mediated mechanisms. However,...

Research from Boston University, Medical Department in the area of influenza published.
December 9, 2008... "Surfactant protein D (SP-D) plays an important role in innate defense against influenza A viruses (IAVs) and other pathogens. We tested antiviral activities of recombinant human SP-D against a panel of IAV strains that vary in glycosylation...

Researchers from Drexel University publish findings in influenza.
December 9, 2008... According to recent research from the United States, "Energy restriction (ER) without malnutrition extends lifespan in mice and postpones age-related changes in immunity. However, we have previously shown that aged (22 mo old) ER mice exhibit...

Scientists at University of Shizuoka target influenza.
December 9, 2008... According to a study from Shizuoka, Japan, "To control interspecies transmission of influenza viruses, it is essential to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the interaction of influenza viruses with sialo-glycoconjugate receptors expressed...

Research from M.G.D. Melo and co-researchers provides new data on life sciences.(Report)
December 9, 2008... According to recent research from Sao Cristovao, Brazil, "Lichens and their secondary metabolites have attracted the interest of many researchers. Some species have been shown to contain substances with remarkable biologic activity, as...

Study findings on life sciences are outlined in reports from D. Hockemeyer and colleagues.
December 9, 2008... According to a study from the United States, "Current approaches to reprogram human somatic cells to pluripotent iPSCs utilize viral transduction of different combinations of transcription factors. These protocols are highly inefficient because...

Research from G. Picariello and co-authors in the area of liquid chromatography published.
December 9, 2008... According to a study from Avellino, Italy, "Breastfeeding is now generally recognized as a critical factor in protecting newborns against infections. An important mechanism responsible for the antibacterial and antiviral effects of breast milk...

Investigators at Johns Hopkins University, Medical Department target meningitis.
December 9, 2008... "Described here is the clinical presentation and etiology of cominunity-acquired meningitis in adult patients in a Baltimore community hospital from 1997 to 2006. A retrospective chart review was performed," researchers in the United States...

New metabolism study findings have been reported from University of California.(Report)
December 9, 2008... "Members of the CYP2D family constitute only about 2-4% of total hepatic CYP450s, however, they are responsible for the metabolism of 20-25% of commonly prescribed therapeutic compounds. CYP2D enzymes have been identified in a number of...

Reports on multiple sclerosis findings from Harvard University provide new insights.
December 9, 2008... According to recent research from the United States, " The human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-K18 Env is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)associated superantigen. Given the evidence for a role of EBV in the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS),...

Research from University of Sassari broadens understanding of multiple sclerosis.
December 9, 2008... " We hypothesized that autoaggressive immune responses observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) could be associated with an imbalance in proportion of immune cell subsets and in cytokine production in response to infection, including viruses. We...

Study findings on nosocomial infections are outlined in reports from University of Tokyo.
December 9, 2008... "Nosocomial infection (i.e. infection in healthcare facilities) raises a serious public health problem, as implied by the existence of pathogens characteristic to healthcare facilities such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and...

New paramyxovirus study findings reported from East Carolina University, Medical Department.
December 9, 2008... According to recent research from the United States, "The P gene of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV 3) encodes a multicistronic P mRNA that gives rise to four polypeptides. The P and C proteins are synthesized from two discrete...

Study results from W.J. Jeon and colleagues broaden understanding of paramyxovirus.
December 9, 2008... According to recent research from South Korea, "Avian paramyxovirus (APMV) consists of nine serotypes, APMV-1 through -9, of which only APMV-1 and APMV-6 have been fully sequenced. Here, we present the complete 15,054 nt RNA genome of APMV-4...

Data on phototherapy detailed by researchers at Fudan University.
December 9, 2008... "The facial flat wart (verruca plana) is not only a contagious viral disease, but also causes a disturbing cosmetic problem. Because 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy has successfully treated human papilloma virus-related diseases, we...

New findings from University of Bristol describe advances in restenosis.
December 9, 2008... " Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation contributes to intima formation after angioplasty or venous by-pass grafting, and during atherosclerosis. VSMC proliferation requires degradation of p27(Kip1) promoted by S-phase...

Scientists at Army, Medical Department publish new data on schizophrenia.
December 9, 2008... According to recent research from the United States, "Herpes family viruses can cause central nervous system inflammatory changes that can present with symptoms indistinguishable from schizophrenia and therefore are of interest in schizophrenia...

Reports from University of Oxford highlight recent research in tuberculosis.
December 9, 2008... According to recent research from Oxford, the United Kingdom, "Boosting bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-primed mice with a recombinant adenovirus expressing Mycobacterium tuberculosis Ag 85A by different administration routes has very different...

New virology study findings recently were reported by Y. Kumar and co-researchers.
December 9, 2008... According to a study from Palampur, India, "A distinct bipartite begomovirus was found associated with tomato plants showing yellowing, curling, and crumpling of the leaves, in a sub-temperate region in India. The complete DNA-A and DNA-B...

Reports on chromatography findings from Department of Agriculture provide new insights.
December 9, 2008... According to recent research published in the Journal of Chromatography a, "The HPLC method presented here for the quantification of metal-binding thiols is considerably shorter than most previously published methods. It is a sensitive and...

Reports outline virology research from R. Viswanathan and colleagues.
December 9, 2008... "Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) that causes yellow leaf disease (YLD) in sugarcane (recently reported in India) belongs to Polerovirus. Detailed studies were conducted to characterize the virus based on partial open reading frames (ORFs) 1...

Research from S. Das and co-authors in the area of virology published.
December 9, 2008... According to recent research from Calcutta, India, "Six betasatellite isolates associated with the yellow vein mosaic disease in mesta crops grown under three different geographical locations of India have been characterized. These six isolates...

Research in the area of virology reported from M. Budziszewska and colleagues.
December 9, 2008... "A new virus was isolated from greenhouse tomato plants showing symptoms of leaf and apex necrosis in Wielkopolska province in Poland in 2003. The observed symptoms and the virus morphology resembled viruses previously reported in Spain called...

Scientists at Hirosaki University publish research in virology.
December 9, 2008... According to a study from Hirosaki, Japan, "Apple fruit crinkle viroid (AFCVd) infects apples and hops. To analyze the genetic diversity of AFCVd, nine apple and six hop isolates were collected from several locations in Japan." "In total,...

Scientists at Shahid Bahonar University publish new data on virology.
December 9, 2008... According to a study from Iran, "Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) is one of the most important viruses that causes different symptoms in Cucurbitaceae. WMV is a potyvirus with a worldwide distribution, but occurs most commonly in temperate and...

Studies from Iowa State University, Medical Department have provided new data on virology.
December 9, 2008... According to a study from the United States, "To assess the role of each envelope-associated protein (i.e., ORFs 2-6 products) of type 2 PRRSV in cross neutralization mediated by antibody, chimeric mutants were generated by replacing ORFs of a...

Studies from Technical University in the area of virology published.
December 9, 2008... "Three double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) segments from Aspergillus ochraceus isolate FA 0611, designated as AoR1, AoR2, and AoR3, were cloned and sequenced. AoR1 was identical with AoV dsRNA 1 previously reported from A. ochraceus ATCC 28706, which...

Study findings on virology are outlined in reports from Nihon University.
December 9, 2008... According to a study from Kanagawa, Japan, "Arabis mosaic virus lily and narcissus isolates (ArMV-Li and ArMV-Na) induced severe necrotic spots on Chenopodium quinoa, whereas ArMV butterbur isolate (ArMV-Bu) caused symptomless infection in the...

Research on whiplash injury described by J. Buitenhuis and colleagues.(Clinical report)
December 9, 2008... "Prospective cohort study. This study investigates the role of pain catastrophizing and causal beliefs with regard to severity and persistence of neck complaints after motor vehicle accidents," scientists in Netherlands report (see also...

New antivirals findings from University of Lausanne, Department of Biochemistry published.
December 9, 2008... Investigators publish new data in the report 'The antiviral adaptor proteins Cardif and Trif are processed and inactivated by caspases.' "The outcome of a viral infection depends on the interplay between the host's capacity to trigger potent...

Scientists at Kansas State University, Department of Chemical Engineering describe research in baculovirus.
December 9, 2008... Data detailed in 'Effects of temperature and shear force on infectivity of the baculovirus Autographa californica M nucleopolyhedrovirus' have been presented. "Virus stability and infectivity during stressful conditions was assessed to...

Data from Yonsei University, Department of Dermatology advance knowledge in Behcet disease therapy.
December 9, 2008... Scientists discuss in 'Rebamipide affects the efficiency of colchicine for the herpes simplex virus-induced inflammation in a Behcet's disease mouse model' new findings in Behcet disease. "Rebamipide inhibits free radicals derived from...

Studies from University of Cagliari in the area of candidiasis immunology described.
December 9, 2008... A report, 'Autoantibodies against type I interferons as an additional diagnostic criterion for autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I,' is newly published data in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. According to a study from...

Research from Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health provides new data about encephalitis.
December 9, 2008... Current study results from the report, 'A duplex real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of St. Louis encephalitis and eastern equine encephalitis viruses,' have been published. According to recent...

Study findings from University Federal of Minas Gerais broaden understanding of encephalitis.
December 9, 2008... Researchers detail in 'Traffic of leukocytes in the central nervous system is associated with chemokine up-regulation in a severe model of herpes simplex encephalitis: an intravital microscopy study,' new data in encephalitis. "Herpes simplex...