MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short non-coding RNA molecules that have attracted tremendous attention from the biological and biomedical research communities over the past decade. With over 1900 miRNAs discovered in humans to date, many of them have already been implicated in common human disorders. Facilitated by high-throughput genomics and bioinformatics in conjunction with traditional m...

majority of the parasites commonly referred to as “parasites of man” are in reality parasites of other animals.1 In the latter grouip are such familiar examples as Trichinella, found in rats and many other animals, including pigs; Balantidium and some lesser protozoa of pigs; Toxoplasma, which occurs in many wild and domesticated animals. Trypanosoma cnuzi, which is carried by a variety of anim...

While this book is based on a virology conference that took place in November 1976, it is neither out-of-date nor highly technical, as the proceedings of such conferences often are. It is rather a valuable compendium for non-virologists, especially clinicians, who wish to review or update their knowledge. The book begins with a short history of virology and a fascinating article on the taxonomy...

The interaction of man with viral agents was possibly a key factor shaping human evolution, culture and civilization from its outset. Evidence of the effect of disease, since the early stages of human speciation, through pre-historical times to the present suggest that the types of viruses associated with man changed in time. As human populations progressed technologically, they grew in numbers...

Heterochromatin is a repressive chromatin state that is characterized by densely packed DNA and low transcriptional activity. Heterochromatin-induced gene silencing is important for mediating developmental transitions, and in addition, it has more global functions in ensuring chromosome segregation and genomic integrity. Here we discuss how altered heterochromatic states can impair normal gene ...

Rho GTPases are members of the Ras superfamily of GTPases that regulate a wide variety of cellular functions. While Rho GTPase pathways have been implicated in various pathological conditions in humans, to date coding mutations in only the hematopoietic specific GTPase, RAC2, have been found to cause a human disease, a severe phagocytic immunodeficiency characterized by life-threatening infecti...

The members of myocyte Enhancer Factor 2 (MEF2) protein family was previously believed to function in the development of heart and muscle. Recent reports indicate that they are also closely associated with development and progression of many human diseases. Although their role in cancer biology is well established, the molecular mechanisms underlying their action is yet largely unknown. MEF2 fa...

adult plumage. One would certainly expect that at least half of the individuals of an average flock in September and October would be birds of the year, and since all were in adult plumage, the postjuvenal molt must have been complete by that time for the particular flock observed. It therefore appears to me that the individual under consideration, No. 55-127606, is a bird from a rare second br...

The pathological foundation of human prion diseases is a result of the conversion of the physiological form of prion protein (PrP(c)) to the pathological protease resistance form PrP(res). Most patients with prion disease have unknown reasons for this conversion and the subsequent development of a devastating neurodegenerative disorder. The conversion of PrP(c) to PrP(res), with resultant propa...

Venereal diseases are still a common problem in today's world. Even though tremendous advances are being made in medicine and large budgets are being spent to control sexually transmitted diseases (STD), especially in western countries, these diseases are still yet very common, and today AIDS has been added to the threats posed by STD to human life. The status of syphilis was evaluated in ...