| April 30,2003 |
Genetic
Variability: The Key Problem in the Prevention and Therapy of RNA-Based Virus
Infections |
|
Despite extraordinary progress that
has recently been made in biomedical sciences, viral infectious diseases still
remain one of the most serious world health problems. Among the different types
of viruses, those using RNA as their genetic material (RNA viruses and
retroviruses) are
especially dangerous. |
| April 29,2003 |
Recombination and Coronavirus Defective Interfering RNAs |
|
Naturally occurring defective
interfering RNAs have been found in 4 of 14 coronavirus species. They range in
size from 2.2 kb to approximately 25 kb, or 80% of the 30-kb parent virus
genome. The large DI RNAs do not in all cases appear to require helper virus for
intracellular replication and it has been postulated that they may on their own
function as agents of disease.... |
| April 28,2003 |
The Preliminary Analysis of SARS Coronavirues Genome |
| |
SARS冠状病毒在种属分类上属于“ssRNA positive-strand viruses”家系的“Nidovirales”族中的“Coronaviridae”系。它是冠状病毒家族中新出现的一个子类。全长29,736bp，已知有11个编码序列(cds)，可能编码11个蛋白质。 通过运用生物信息学的方法，对SARS冠状病毒基因组序列进行了全序列分析，根据其结构上的有效信号对SARS冠状病毒结构和功能上的特点做出初步的解释。 |
| April 27,2003 |
mRNA display: ligand discovery,interaction analysis and beyond |
| |
In vitro peptide and protein selection using mRNA display enables the discovery and directed evolution of new molecules from combinatorial libraries. These selected molecules can serve as tools to control and
understand biological processes, enhance our understanding of molecular interactions and potentially treat disease in therapeutic applications. |
| April 26,2003 |
Molecular computing revisited: a Moore’s Law? |
| |
Moore’s Law might apply to the nascent field of molecular computing,in which biomolecules carry out logical operations.Incorporation of new technologies that improve sensitivity and throughput has increased the complexity of problems that can be addressed. It is an ultimate goal for molecular computers to use the full potential of massive parallelism. |
| April 25,2003 |
Molecular Structure of Nucleic Acids |
| |
We wish to suggest a structure for
the salt of deoxyribose nucleic acid (D.N.A.).This structure has novel
feature which are of considerable biological interest.
J.D.Watson
F.H.C.Crick |
| April 24,2003 |
Gene Vaccine |
| |
Gene vaccines are a new approach to immunization and immunotherapy in which, rather than a live or inactivated organism (or a subunit thereof), one or more genes that encode proteins of the pathogen are delivered. The goal of this approach is to generate immunity against diseases for which traditional vaccines and
treatments have not worked, to improve vaccines, and to treat chronic diseases.This article describes the rationale for, immunologic mechanisms involved in, and design of gene vaccines under development. Preclinical and clinical studies of these vaccines are discussed for various clinical applications, focusing on infectious diseases. |
| April 23,2003 |
Current research on respiratory viral infections |
| |
The Fourth International Symposium on Respiratory
Viral Infections was convened Netherland on 29 November- 2 December,2001. This symposium provides an annual forum for virologists, vaccinologists, clinicians, pharmacologists, and public health specialists to discuss recent advances in respiratory virus research in an interdisciplinary fashion. This is the meeting record & report of this latest symposium! |
| April 22,2003 |
DNA vaccines: a review |
| |
The DNA vaccines are simple rings of DNA containing a gene encoding an antigen, and a promoter/terminator to make the gene express in mammalian cells. They are a promising new approach for generating all types of desired immunity.This review gives an overview of the mechanisms, preclinical and clinical efficacy of DNA vaccines, and point out the limitations of the first
generation of such vaccines, and some of the promising second-generation developments. |
| April 21,2003 |
From human genes to stem cells: new challenges for patent law? |
| |
The social controversies that have surrounded human cloning and the use of embryos for research purposes might create unique patent issues for stem cell researchers. Policy makers should learn from the legal and ethical concerns associated with human gene patents and develop coherent patent policies that recognize and clearly address emerging social controversies. |
| April 20,2003 |
Biomedical databases: protecting
privacy and promoting research |
| |
When combined with medical information, large databases of information that identify individuals provide superlative resources for genetic, epidemiology
and other biomedical research. Such research resources increasingly need to balance the protection of privacy and confidentiality with the promotion of research. Researchers, individuals representing the public interest and those developing regulatory guidelines must be involved in an ongoing dialogue to identify practical models. |
| April 19,2003 |
An array of insights: application of DNA chip technology in the study of cell biology |
| |
The advent of DNA microarray technology has ushered in an era of systems biology whereby researchers can study the transcriptional behavior of thousands of genes
in parallel. Advances in manufacturing techniques and informatics, and the availability of several genome
sequences have furthered these capabilities to the point where whole-transcriptome studies can be accomplished in yeast, flies and plants, and soon will be possible in mammals. Concomitant with the expanding ability of the technology has been the development of novel techniques and their application towards the study of cellular biology. |
| April 18,2003 |
Alternative splicing: a novel mechanism to fine-tune the expression and function of the human AT1 receptor |
| |
Activation of the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor is closely involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases; therefore, aberrant regulation of the production
of this receptor might play a role in these disorders. Currently, there is strong evidence to suggest that the predominant mechanism regulating the number of AT1 receptors is the modulation of mRNA stability. Here, we discuss the importance of alternative splicing as an additional post-transcriptional mechanism regulating human AT1 receptor number and function. |
| April 17,2003 |
Recognition and clearance of apoptotic cells: a role for complement and pentraxins |
| |
Accumulating evidence suggests that molecules of the innate immune system, including complement components and pentraxins, have a role in the removal of apoptotic cells. Therefore, it has been postulated that in situations with massive apoptosis, defective removal of apoptotic material, as a result of hampered opsonization by pentraxins and complement, can lead to the development of an autoimmune response. |
| April 16,2003 |
Life after transcription – revisiting the fate of mRNA |
| |
Recently, several groups have used high-density DNA
microarrays to study mRNA turnover. These new data suggest that decay contributes significantly to determining mRNA levels, and they should prompt us to refocus our attention on the regulatory potential of mRNA decay. |
| April 14,2003 |
Coronavirus as a possible cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome |
| |
An outbreak of severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS) has been reported in Hong Kong. We investigated the viral cause and clinical presentation.A coronavirus was isolated from patients with SARS that might be the primary agent associated with this disease. Serological and molecular tests specific for the virus permitted a definitive laboratory diagnosis to be made and allowed further investigation to define whether other cofactors play a part in disease progression. |
| April 13,2003 |
A Novel Coronavirus Associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome |
| |
A worldwide outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has been associated with exposures originating from a single ill health care worker from Guangdong Province, China. We conducted studies to identify the etiologic agent of this outbreak. We received clinical specimens from patients in six countries and tested them, using virus isolation techniques, electron-microscopical and histologic studies, and molecular and serologic assays, in an attempt to identify a wide range of potential pathogens. |
| April 12,2003 |
Identification
of a Novel Coronavirus in Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome |
| |
A novel coronavirus was identified in patients with SARS. The virus was isolated in cell culture, and a sequence 300 nucleotides in length was obtained by a polymerase-chainreaction (PCR)–based random-amplification procedure. Genetic characterization indicated that the virus is only distantly related to known coronaviruses (identical in 50 to 60 percent of the nucleotide sequence). On the basis of the obtained sequence, conventional and real-time PCR assays for specific and sensitive detection
of the novel virus were established. |
| April 11,2003 |
A Major
Outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Hong Kong |
| |
There has been an outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) worldwide. We report the clinical, laboratory, and radiologic features of 138 cases of suspected SARS during a hospital outbreak in Hong Kong.We describe the clinical, laboratory, and radiologic features of patients with SARS who were seen at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong. These patients were either health care workers in a medical ward of the hospital or persons who had a history of contact with an index patient or exposure to the same medical ward. We also included patients who had contracted the disease through direct contact
with these cases. |
| April 10,2003 |
Researchers
get to grips with cause of pneumonia epidemic |
| |
Four weeks into a major
global investigation of the severe acute respiratory syndrome
(SARS) outbreak, investigators around the world are still wrestling
with key questions about the transmission and origins of the
mystery disease. |
| April 9,2003 |
Protein blotting: a review |
| |
Protein blotting evolved
as an offshoot of DNA (Southern) blotting and RNA (Northern)
blotting.Western transfer with subsequent immunodetection is
a powerful tool to detect and characterize a multitude of proteins.Since
its inception, protein blotting has been evolving constantly
and now the scientific community is confronted with a plethora
of ways and means of transferring proteins. |
| April 8,2003 |
Regulation of cardiac
myocyte cell death |
| |
Cardiac myocyte death, whether
through necrotic or apoptotic mechanisms, is a contributing
factor to many cardiac pathologies. Although necrosis and apoptosis
are the widely accepted forms of cell death, they may utilize
the same cell death machinery. The environment within the cell
probably dictates the final outcome, producing a spectrum of
response between the two extremes. This review examines the
probable mechanisms involved in myocyte death. |
| April 7,2003 |
An ACE Structure |
| |
This paper report the crystal
structure of one of the two catalytic domains of angiotensin
converting enzyme in complex with an inhibitor,this provides
the first molecular insights into the substrate- and inhibitor-binding
profiles of this clinically important enzyme,and will facilitate
the rational design fo site-specific inhibitors. |
| April 6,2003 |
Arrhythmias of the heart:beyond
the ion channels |
| |
Research on an inherited
form of cardiac arrhythmias has now homed in on the elcusive
trigger of electrical instability in the heart.Aberrant calcium
regulation emerges as a strong candidate.Newly study focuses
attention not on ion channels,but on another proteins in the
ion channel macromolecular complex. |
| April 5,2003 |
Cardiac-specific Gene
Expression:a HANDful of Factors |
| |
Many of these genes encode
for transcription factors that help specify cardiomyocyte identity
or enhance cardiomyocyte survival during development of the
heart.With human and mouse genomes in hand, it is unlikely that
there will be a single factor that underlies cardiomyocyte determination
and differentiation. |
| April 4,2003 |
Myocardin: A Component
of a Molecular Switch for Smooth Muscle Differentiation |
| |
A hallmark of smooth muscle
cells (SMCs) in culture and the injured vessel wall is their
phenotypic modulation from a differentiated state to one of
heightened growth, migration, and matrix synthesis. The transcriptional
mechanisms underlying this altered genetic program have yet
to be elucidated.Studies suggest that myocardin is an important
component of a molecular switch for the SMC differentiation
program. |
| April 3,2003 |
Nature
Hightlight: DNA 50 Anniversary |
| |
Given the huge amount of
genomic data now available, it is easy to forget that it was
only 50 years ago this month that we took the first step towards
understanding how DNA stores and transmits genetic information.Here
we have a special feature celebrating the anniversary of Watson
and Crick's paper. We cover the 2003 scientific and public celebrations,
the art of the double helix, milestones in genetic research
and the fate of the main protagonists in the double helix story,
as well as a personal view of the less well-known double helix
— left handed DNA. |
| April 2,2003 |
Necrosis: a specific
form of programmed cell death? |
| |
Recent data indicate that
there are many examples when this form of cell death may be
a normal physiological and regulated (programmed) event. Various
stimuli can cause both apoptosis and necrosis in the same cell
population. Furthermore, some signaling pathways participate
in both processes, and by modulating these pathways, it is possible
to switch between apoptosis and necrosis. |
| April 1,2003 |
Regulation of tumor suppressors
by nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling |
| |
Most tumor suppressors have
been identified by genetic screening, and in many cases their
function and regulation are poorly understood. Ten such proteins
were recently shown to contain nuclear transport signals that
facilitate their “shuttling” between the nucleus and cytoplasm.
This type of dynamic intracellular movement not only regulates
protein localization, but also often impacts on function. Here,
we review the pathways by which tumor suppressors such as APC,
p53, VHL, and BRCA1 cross the nuclear envelope and the impact
of regulated nuclear import/export on protein function. |
