An alternative pathway for alphavirus entry

The study of alphavirus entry has been complicated by an inability to clearly identify a receptor and by experiments which only tangentially and indirectly examine the process, producing results that are difficult to interpret. The mechanism of entry has been widely accepted to be by endocytosis followed by acidification of the endosome resulting in virus […]

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June 30, 2011 – 9:05 pm | By Dan Frost | Posted in Diseases | Comments (0)

Characterization of herpes simplex virus. Part 2

Our analysis of these studies provides evidence that glycoprotein G variation is likely significant in clinical typing discrepancies and also in isolate variations. Analysis of the amino acid sequences of Y3369 and other isolates indicates that there is a shared significant variation among HSV-1 strains that alters viral antigen assay specificity. PCR analysis is likely […]

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June 24, 2011 – 9:43 pm | By Dan Frost | Posted in Infections | Comments (0)

Characterization of herpes simplex virus

Determination of HSV type was done by PCR specific for the HSV pol gene using a common forward primer and type-specific reverse primers as performed by Abraham, et. al and Kimura, et al. DNA was extracted (Invitrogen PureLink viral DNA/RNA mini kit) from purified virus of HSV-1 (McIntyre strain), HSV-2 (Strain 333), and from the […]

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June 23, 2011 – 8:23 pm | By Dan Frost | Posted in Infections | Comments (0)

Characterization of herpes simplex virus

Background Herpes simplex viruses exist as two major serotypes, type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Determination of type, either HSV-1 or HSV-2, is important in accurate diagnosis and clinical control of transmission. Several tests are available for typing HSV, including a monoclonal antibody specific for glycoprotein G and several PCR assays. Findings A clinical […]

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June 21, 2011 – 4:24 pm | By Dan Frost | Posted in Infections | Comments (0)

Human-specific Alu detection by PCR. Part 3

EBV is a herpesvirus associated with approximately 1% of tumours worldwide. EBV is the epitome of B lymphotropic viruses, but the spectrum of tumours associated with EBV extends to various types of human malignancies and carcinomas. Ubiquitous EBV infection in humans implies that most individuals carry EBV-infected cells. Therefore, mere detection of the virus in […]

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June 18, 2011 – 9:25 pm | By Dan Frost | Posted in Other | Comments (0)

Human-specific Alu detection by PCR. Part 2

Immunohistochemical staining showed that all induced tumors were LCA (leukocyte common antigen) positive, B-cell marker (CD20, CD79a) positive, and T-cell markers (both CD3 and CD45RO) negative. By these morphological and immunohistochemical features, those tumors can be diagnosed as human B-cell lymphomas. Furthermore, Alu-PCR showed that all of tumor tissues contained 221 bp Alu sequence. It […]

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June 17, 2011 – 4:54 pm | By Dan Frost | Posted in Other | Comments (0)

Human-specific Alu detection by PCR

DNA was extracted from tumor tissues as described in protocol. Alu PCR was conducted under the following conditions: 95°C predenaturation for 5 min, and then 30 cycles of denaturation at 94°C for 1 min, annealing at 57°C for 1 min and extension at 72°C for 1 min. Primers (sense: 5′-CAC CTG TAA TCC CAG CAG […]

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June 7, 2011 – 8:28 pm | By Dan Frost | Posted in Other | Comments (0)

Human-derived IgG level

Background Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has a close association with various types of human lymphomas. Animal models are essential to elucidate the pathogenesis of human EBV-associated lymphomas. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the association between human IgG concentration and EBV-associated lymphoma development in huPBL/SCID mice. Methods Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (hu-PBL) from […]

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May 31, 2011 – 6:26 pm | By Dan Frost | Posted in Other | Comments (0)

Antiviral drugs and antiviral activity assays. Part 2

3.1 Complete nucleotide sequence of Korean ECV5 The Korean ECV 5 genome was sequenced (GenBank accession number HM775882) and its amino acid sequence was deduced. The genome is 7,430 nt in length, excluding the poly(A) tail. The 5′NCR contains 738 nt, followed by an ORF that encodes a viral polyprotein consisting of 2,196 codons, between […]

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May 26, 2011 – 10:19 pm | By Dan Frost | Posted in Infections | Comments (0)

Magnesium Citrate Improves Vision in Normotensive Glaucoma

Design Controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effect of oral magnesium therapy on ocular blood flow and visual field perimetry indices in patients with normotensive glaucoma (NTG). Blood magnesium level measurement, visual field analysis, and color Doppler imaging of the orbital vessels were done before treatment and at 1 month. Participants Fifteen patients with NTG […]

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May 25, 2011 – 10:56 am | By Dan Frost | Posted in Other | Comments (0)