To acquire epidemiological data on the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and identify cattle persistently infected (PI) with this virus, 4,327 samples from Holstein dairy cows were screened over a four-year period in Beijing, China. Eighteen BVD viruses were isolated, 12 from PI cattle. Based on genetic analysis of their 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR), the 18 isolates were assigned to subgeno...

Recombinant human interferon alpha 2a (rhIFN α -2a) production and cell growth were monitored in a set of genetically modified E. coli strains (MSD1519, MSD1520, MSD 1521, MSD 1522, MSD 1523) producing rhIFN α -2a. The growth was followed at OD 600 nm, changes in cell physiology were detected by pyrolysis mass spectrometry (PyMS) of cell biomass and recombinant protein production was determined...

Interferon alpha (IFN α) exerts a multiplicity of biological actions including antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antiproliferative effects. Administration of IFN α is the current treatment for chronic hepatitis B; however, therapy outcome has not been completely satisfactory. The systemic effects of IFN α may account for its low in vivo biological activity and multiple adverse events. The purpos...

Approximately 120-130 million individuals are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide, although it is curable by therapy. Until recently, treatment of chronic hepatitis C was based on the combination of pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin. A number of models have been developed to study the HCV lifecycle and screen for potential HCV inhibitors. They led to the development o...