A Nobel for autophagy, and the importance of fundamental research
Yoshinori Ohsumi has been awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for his work on autophagy, a process of eukaryotic cells for degrading and recycling cellular components. Because of his research, we now understand the importance of autophagy in health and human disease. It is another example of the serendipity of science and yes, it is relevant to virology!
The word autophagy was coined by Christian de Duve in 1963 to describe a process that he and others had previously described: when stressed, cells would sequester portions of the cytoplasm in double-membraned vesicles called autophagosomes. These would ...
Source: virology blog - October 6, 2016 Category: Virology Authors: Vincent Racaniello Tags: Basic virology Commentary Information autophagosome autophagy Nobel Prize saccharomyces serendepity of science viral virus viruses yeast Yoshinori Ohsumi Source Type: blogs
The Dangerous Expansion of Adult Vaccinations
Conclusion
The vaccination comprises a misguided and unsafe national health care program which claims to prevent disease. Many significant health injuries are associated with vaccinating adults. Government resources are being spent researching and developing new and different vaccinations. Subjecting adults to more vaccinations is likely to cause more health injury and illness.
References:
http://www.vaccinationcouncil.org/2012/07/05/herd-immunity…
http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/
http://www.vaccinationcouncil.org/2011/02/18/60-lab-studies…
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/adult.html
http:...
Source: vactruth.com - September 10, 2016 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Michelle Goldstein Tags: Logical Michelle Goldstein Recent Articles Top Stories adult vaccination adult vaccines new vaccines shingles vaccine truth about vaccines Source Type: blogs
Update on Zika (FAQ & New Findings)
This article is to offer answers (where possible) to some common FAQs (frequently asked questions) and also express some of our uncertainties. I will try and provide references to answers offered so that individuals can read the data for themselves
Is Zika Transmission Happening in Malaysia?
We know that Zika was first identified in Uganda in 1947 and then spread to Asia. It was detected in an Aedes mosquito in Peninsular Malaysia in 1969. In September 2014 a tourist was found to be infected with Zika after travelling in Sabah. (Source: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/21/5/14-1960_article). So Zika has been around, possib...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - September 7, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Education - Guest - Nation Aedes Zika Source Type: blogs
Update on Zika (FAQ & New Findings)
This article is to offer answers (where possible) to some common FAQs (frequently asked questions) and also express some of our uncertainties. I will try and provide references to answers offered so that individuals can read the data for themselves
Is Zika Transmission Happening in Malaysia?
We know that Zika was first identified in Uganda in 1947 and then spread to Asia. It was detected in an Aedes mosquito in Peninsular Malaysia in 1969. In September 2014 a tourist was found to be infected with Zika after travelling in Sabah. (Source: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/21/5/14-1960_article). So Zika has been around, possib...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - September 7, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Education - Guest - Nation Aedes Zika Source Type: blogs
Funtabulously Frivolous Friday Five 157
Just when you thought your brain could unwind on a Friday, you realise that it would rather be challenged with some good old fashioned medical trivia FFFF…introducing Funtabulously Frivolous Friday Five 157
Question 1
Jon Snow may “have known nothing” but his relative invented something revolutionary to public health. What was it?
+ Reveal the Funtabulous Answer
expand(document.getElementById('ddet1754064442'));expand(document.getElementById('ddetlink1754064442'))
The toilet
John Harrington was Kit Harrington’s great grandfather and invented the flushing toilet, not Mr Crapper (who was a plumber a...
Source: Life in the Fast Lane - September 2, 2016 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Neil Long Tags: Frivolous Friday Five arthritis break bone fever cracking knuckles Crapper david and goliath dengue fever Donald Unger ice test Ig Nobel John harrington Jon Snow Kit harrington myasthenia gravis pituitary adenoma toilet Source Type: blogs
Why we will Fail the Fight Against Zika (Pity our Children)
I hope the title has encouraged you to read this article. It is not meant to be pessimistic but a realistic look at our current situation. The opinions expressed here are personal and do not reflect those of the organisation I work with.
As we stand today as a nation, with our poor health behaviours, the Zika epidemic that is coming (if not already here) will hit us hard. The following realities or facts are the reason for my statement:
1. The Zika virus is spread mainly by infected Aedes mosquitoes and also by sexual transmission. Our nation is rich with Aedes mosquitoes.
2. The virus is new to us, we are not immune...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - August 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Guest - Nation Aedes dengue Zika Source Type: blogs
Antibodies aid dengue and Zika virus infection
Flaviviruses are unusual because antibodies that cross-react with different viruses can enhance infection and disease. This property, called antibody-dependent enhancement or ADE, has been documented to occur among the four serotypes of dengue virus. It has implications for infection with or vaccination against Zika virus or dengue virus.
Earlier this year (virology blog link) it was shown that antibodies to dengue virus – in the form of serum from infected patients, or two human monoclonal antibodies – bind to Zika virus and can enhance infection of Fc-receptor bearing cells (Fc receptors bind the antibody mo...
Source: virology blog - July 29, 2016 Category: Virology Authors: Vincent Racaniello Tags: Basic virology Information ADE antibody antibody dependent enhancement dengue virus dengvaxis Fc receptor flavivirus vaccine viral viruses zika virus Source Type: blogs
TWiV 399: Zika la femme
The latest Zika virus news from the ConTWiVstadors, including a case of female to male transmission, risk of infection at the 2016 summer Olympics, a DNA vaccine, antibody-dependent enhancement by dengue antibodies, and sites of replication in the placenta.
You can find TWiV #399 at microbe.tv/twiv, or listen below.
Click arrow to play
Download TWiV 399 (75 MB .mp3, 103 min)
Subscribe (free): iTunes, RSS, email
Become a patron of TWiV! (Source: virology blog)
Source: virology blog - July 24, 2016 Category: Virology Authors: Vincent Racaniello Tags: This Week in Virology antibody dependent enhancement dengue virus dna vaccine microcephaly Olympics placenta sexual transmission viral viruses zika virus Source Type: blogs
The 10 Most Innovative Health Technologies Saving Millions In The Developing World
There are striking differences in the general social, economic or political background of the developed and developing country-groups, and developing countries are in dire need for creative and innovative medical solutions. Here are the 10 most innovative health technologies which could save millions of lives in these corners of the Earth.
Imagine two babies being born at the exact same time: a little girl in Sweden and a baby boy in Mozambique. What are their chances for a long, healthy life?
In the Scandinavian country of the easily assemblable IKEA furniture and the most secure car in the world, life expectancy in 2015...
Source: The Medical Futurist - July 19, 2016 Category: Information Technology Authors: nora Tags: 3D Printing in Medicine Bioethics Healthcare Design Longevity Africa future GC1 India Innovation Personalized medicine technology Source Type: blogs
Are Priority Review Vouchers The Answer To Incentivize Drug Development? Not So Fast.
In the May issue of Health Affairs, two papers examine the potential for voucher systems to incentivize drug development in areas of unmet medical need. Co-authors Kevin Outterson and Anthony McDonnell take a look at potential exclusivity voucher programs designed to encourage development of new antibiotics, while David Ridley and Stephane Régnier analyze the effects that expansion of existing priority review voucher (PRV) programs may have on the value of PRVs as a development incentive.
Ridley and Régnier’s work is of particular importance as both houses of Congress pursue a spate of legislative proposals that do mak...
Source: Health Affairs Blog - June 15, 2016 Category: Health Management Authors: Pranav Aurora, Morgan Romine and Gregory Daniel Tags: Costs and Spending Drugs and Medical Technology Featured Global Health Health Professionals Quality FDA FDAAA priority review rare diseases Source Type: blogs
Zika virus and mosquito eradication
The Aedes aegypti eradication campaign coordinated by the Pan American Health Organization led by 1962 to elimination of this mosquito from 18 countries, including Brazil. Ae. aegypti transmits not only Zika virus, but dengue virus, chikungunya virus, and yellow fever virus. Could control measures be implemented today to achieve similar control of this mosquito? Two articles in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases revisit the successful PAHO mosquito control campaign and suggest that its approaches should be revived.
The elimination of Ae. aegypti in 18 countries, which was accompanied by a marked reduction in dengue hemorrha...
Source: virology blog - June 9, 2016 Category: Virology Authors: Vincent Racaniello Tags: Basic virology Information Chikungunya virus DDT dengue virus mosquito PAHO perifocal control vaccine viral viruses zika virus Source Type: blogs
Will Zika help or hurt health plans?
Health insurers are starting to think about the impact of the Zika virus, which may arrive in force in the US over the coming months. Actuaries are looking for analogous examples for their models, such as other mosquito born illnesses including dengue fever.
Some insurers aren’t too concerned, according to Healthcare Finance News. Others are looking at reinsurance opportunities and considering premium increases.
Most Zika infections cause only mild illness, so the costs of treatment will be modest or zero much of the time. The real impact is likely to come from the cost of lifelong care for babies born with microc...
Source: Health Business Blog - May 31, 2016 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Economics Health plans Uncategorized health insurers Zika Source Type: blogs
