Viral Distribution Articles and Resources

Resolved Question: Anyone wants to learn about influenza virus?

Hello! I see that everyone is concerned about the swine flu we are having and many people would like to know more about it. I took a Virology course this year and I believe it is important for the public to be educated about influenza virus in general, so I'd decided to share my notes about influenza virus with all of you. Hope my notes would answer some of the questions you may have----the notes may be too technical for the general public but I hope they can be helpful. Good luck everyone! ---Influenza: 1.Classification: Group V ((-)ssRNA), Orthomyxoviridae 2.Host range: Humans, birds (reservoirs), pigs, and horses. Human flu distribution world-wide, year-round at tropics and winter at temperate. 3.Physical and other properties: Spherical enveloped (filamentous form also possible), virus particles enclosed in a host-derived lipid envelope, and a matrix exists under the envelope. 4.Genetics: segmented neg-sense ssRNA genome. The viral RNA is associated with another protein to form a nucleoprotein (NP). In types A and B, genomes consist of eight RNA segments while in type C the genome consists of seven RNA segments. Genomes change over time by accumulating point mutations and reassorting RNA segments with others. Viruses undergo continuous variation, with A subjects to antigenic shift (significant changes an all kinds of cross-species variations) and B and C subject to antigenic drift (point mutations). For A, RNA is circular due to a terminal panhandle structure which is stabilized by base-pairing between 3’ and 5’ ends of the RNA segments. Type A evolves faster than the other types (B and C) as it can reassort with avian flu viruses, thus mixing the viral gene pools. 5.Gene expression, transcription/translation/replication: Transcription takes place in the cell nucleus. The virus shows a cap-snatching mechanism during transcription and uses cellular mRNA cap to cap their own mRNA. The viral RNA complex (PB1, PB2, and PA, and they are RNA-dep RNA polymerizing) uses the viral RNP as a template for synthesis of two types of RNA: 1) a complementary-sense RNA copy (cRNA) to produce a full-length viral RNA (vRNA), and 2) a viral mRNA. The cRNA and vRNA have similar promoter sequences and the sequences are highly conserved. The vRNAs form a panhandle structure, which is believed to contain signals for polyadenation and packaging of vRNAs. These vRNAs are not only used as a template for replication, but also for the synthesis of mRNAs. For translation, the RNA segment 7 of type A encodes M1 and M2. M2 is made by translation of a M1 spliced mRNA, and during this splicing there is a frameshift, and other two proteins, NS1 and NS2, also result from unspliced/spliced forms of RNA segment 8 of types A and B. Another interesting feature of influenza translation is that following the stop codon (UAA) in the M1 protein, cellular ribosomes are able to reinitiate translation by using an AUG codon that overlaps this stop signals by shifting ORF by one nucleotide. Post-translational processing of the HA includes a removal of a signal sequence from the N-terminus, leading to HA attachment to rough ER membrane before being cleaved. The cleavage into HA1 and HA2 and the insertion of these two (with a disulfide link) into host cell membrane is essential for HA fusogenic activity. 6.Serology, relationships, strains, variability, etc: Three strains: A, B and C, and they are antigenically distinct on the basis of their NP. Type A commonly causes respiratory illness in humans, pigs, horses. Three HA subtypes have been identified in humans, two in pigs and horses, while all 14 subtypes have been found in birds. Birds do not usually suffer diseases from influenza, instead acting as reservoirs. Type B occur only in humans and type C occur in both humans and pigs. 7.Major proteins and notable components: There are two kinds of surface spike proteins: hemagglutinin (HA) which agglutinates erythrocytes, and an enzyme neuraminidase (NA) which acts to release the virus from the cells. A third capsid protein (M) forms a matrix below the lipid envelope. The viral RNA is associated with another protein to form a nucleoprotein (NP). The polymerase complex is composed of three parts: PB1, PB2, and PA. There is also a proton pump to aid uncoating. 8.Attachment and Entry: HA attaches the virus to the cell. Acidification inside the endosome induces a HA conformational change, leading to an eventual fusion of the viral envelope with the endosome membrane, thereby releasing the viral nucleocapsid into the cell cytoplasm. 9.Assembly and Release: vRNA’s ends contain cis signals for packaging, and each viral particle will package 11-12 RNA segments, with the segments randomly taken from a pool of the 8 different vRNAs. Only less than 10% of particles contain complete genomes and are infectious. For assembly, M1 enters the nucleus and appears to be responsible for transport of viral RNPs into the cytoplasm. In the cytoplThe notes were too long to got cut off.... see part 2 if you want to learn the rest.part 2: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Al6YQDb91innbx1ayZSqAZAazKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20090428095957AA8pFf7 more

Resolved Question: When Obama ran for election in IL, both times he removed the competition and ran solo.Do you like his tactics?

STATE SENATE: Obama sent his aides to scrutinize thousands of pages to find sufficient faked signatures to remove Alice Palmer the long-standing state senator, who had taken OBama under her wing, from the ballot: he ran unopposed. US SENATE: Obama's lawyers forced the unsealing of Jack Ryan's divorce and embarrassed his opponent out of the race. With regards to Palin, Obama hired a PR firm to trash her. Obama is demonstrating his Alinsky tactics on the campaign trail -- "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, polarize it." Extensive research was conducted by the Jawa Report to determine the source of smears directed toward Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Those smears included false allegations that she belonged to a secessionist political party and that she has radical anti-American views. Their research suggests that a subdivision of one of the largest public relations firms in the world most likely started and promulgated rumors about Sarah Palin that were known to be false. These rumors were spread in a surreptitious manner to avoid exposure. It is also likely that the PR firm was paid by outside sources to run the smear campaign. While not conclusive, evidence suggests a link to the Barack Obama campaign. Namely: • Evidence suggests that a YouTube video with false claims about Palin was uploaded and promoted by members of a professional PR firm. • The family that runs the PR firm has extensive ties to the Democratic Party, the netroots, and are staunch Obama supporters. • Evidence suggests that the firm engaged in a concerted effort to distribute the video in such a way that it would appear to have gone viral on its own. Yet this effort took place on company time. • Evidence suggests that these distribution efforts included actions by at least one employee of the firm who is unconnected with the family running the company. • The voice-over artist used in this supposedly amateur video is a professional. • This same voice-over artist has worked extensively with David Axelrod's firm, which has a history of engaging in phony grassroots efforts, otherwise known as "astroturfing." • David Axelrod is Barack Obama's chief media strategist. • The same voice-over artist has worked directly for the Barack Obama campaign. This suggests that false rumors and outright lies about Sarah Palin and John McCain being spread on the internet are being orchestrated by political partisans and are not an organic grassroots phenomenon led by the left wing fringe. Their findings follow. This incredible report is worth reading. These guys really did their homework. Watch this story. http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/194057.php more

Resolved Question: What's your opinion of this article linking the Obama campaign directly to the Palin smears?

Excerpts: Extensive research was conducted by the Jawa Report to determine the source of smears directed toward Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Those smears included false allegations that she belonged to a secessionist political party and that she has radical anti-American views. Our research suggests that a subdivision of one of the largest public relations firms in the world most likely started and promulgated rumors about Sarah Palin that were known to be false. These rumors were spread in a surreptitious manner to avoid exposure. It is also likely that the PR firm was paid by outside sources to run the smear campaign. While not conclusive, evidence suggests a link to the Barack Obama campaign. Namely: * Evidence suggests that a YouTube video with false claims about Palin was uploaded and promoted by members of a professional PR firm. * The family that runs the PR firm has extensive ties to the Democratic Party, the netroots, and are staunch Obama supporters. * Evidence suggests that the firm engaged in a concerted effort to distribute the video in such a way that it would appear to have gone viral on its own. Yet this effort took place on company time. * Evidence suggests that these distribution efforts included actions by at least one employee of the firm who is unconnected with the family running the company. * The voice-over artist used in this supposedly amateur video is a professional. * This same voice-over artist has worked extensively with David Axelrod's firm, which has a history of engaging in phony grassroots efforts, otherwise known as "astroturfing." * David Axelrod is Barack Obama's chief media strategist. * The same voice-over artist has worked directly for the Barack Obama campaign. WHO PRODUCED THE VIDEO? [UPDATE: Within 1 hour of posting, "eswinner" has removed all videos from YouTube and began removing any traces of his activities. But we have the video and all relevant websites backed up. http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/194057.php (Very interesting site which includes backups of everything they're scrambling to remove from youtube). Your responses are looked forward to. Thanks! more

Resolved Question: 4th probability question...?

Avian influenza (bird flu) is a fatal viral disease of birds. There is concern that it could lead to a human pandemic (a disease thatspreads around the world). Suppose a blood test has been created to test if a bird has avian influenza. If a bird has avian influenza, then there is a 95% chance of a positive blood result. If the bird does not have avian influenza, then there is a 98% chance of a negative blood result. (a) It is known that 4% of all birds have avian influenza. What is the probability that a randomly chosen bird has avian influenza and has a positive blood result? (b) What is the probability of a positive result? (c) If a bird has a positive blood result, what is the probability that it actually has avian influenza? (d) If 1000 randomly sampled birds are tested, what is the distribution of the number of positive results? What are your assumptions? Justify these assumptions in context. (e) What is the expected number of positive results in these 1000 birds?Use a normal approximation with continuity correction to calculate the probability that there are strictly less than 50 positive results. (f) If all of the 1000 birds do not have avian influenza, calculate the probability of at least one positive result. more

Resolved Question: how do i solve for m here... (e^-m)(m) = .999 or this one (e^-m)(m) = 99.9 either one might be the one i need

This is for a poisson distribution for viral infections...m=moi and the .999 or 99.9 (not sure which it should be) represents the % infection needed more

Resolved Question: I want to join anti corruption group in india?

April 15, 2007 To The Deputy Commissioner, Kapurthala, The Deputy Director, Department Of Local Bodies, Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, Jalandhar. The Sub Divisional Magistrate, Phagwara, Executive Officer, Municipal Council, Phagwara. President, Municipal Council Phagwara. The Civil Surgeon, Kapurthala. The Senior Medical Officer, Phagwara. SUB: HOW MUCH PEOPLE WILL DIE DUE TO WATER BORNE DISEASES LIKE THE DEATH OF ROONA – DIED ON 13TH APRIL 2007 DUE TO VIRAL HEPATITIS A- RESIDENT OF MANSA DEVI LOCALITY OF PHAGWARA Dear Sirs, I, Rajneesh Madhok, resident of Nehru Nagar, Street No. 2, Railway Road, Phagwara. Ph. 01824-262569 (O), 268210 (R), 94173-06415 (Mobile), Tele-fax: 01824-262569, E-mail: madhok_rajneesh@vsnl.net wrote in my articles published in various newspapers and periodicals and personally wrote to yourgoodselves about the deteriorated sanitation facilities in Phagwara but to no vain. Please note that I am a Registered Member of Core Centre (Consumer On-line Resource & Empowerment Centre) supported by Ministry Of Consumer Affair, Food & Public Distribution, Department of Consumer Affairs, Govt. of India, Managed by Consumer Coordination Council. ( For detail Kindly visit www.core.nic.in ) & Karamayaog.org an N.G.O. working for social & civic issues and is partner with anti corruption bureau via Mumbai. (For detail kindly visit www.karmayog.org ) Sirs, the death of 35-year-old Roona, due to hepatitis yesterday has led to panic among residents of Mansa Devi locality here. Following the public outcry, health and civic authorities should initiate some preventive measures. Roona was admitted in the Civil Hospital yesterday morning under suspicion that she was afflicted with jaundice. Later, she was found to be suffering from Viral hepatitis-A. Sirs, hundreds of residents of Phagwara town, including those from localities like Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Shivpuri, Rattanpura, Onkar Nagar, Industrial Area, Bhagatpura and Mansa Devi Nagar, were suffering from various water-borne diseases including jaundice, gastroenteritis and viral fever. Lack of sanitation, drainage and blocking and overflowing of sewerage system of several places were main reasons behind the mess. Despite the seriousness of the situation, the authorities of the Phagwara Nagar Council and the health department those have been interviewed by me in the past months like President, Nagar Council, Executive Officer Nagar Council, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Phagwara and Senior Medical Officer, Phagwara and have been published in the Newspaper and periodicals with my name as well had been claiming that the situation is under control. Doctors of Civil Hospital who were treating the deceased said she was transfused two bottles of blood. Ashok Kumar, husband of Roona, who was attending on her, was suffering from jaundice as well. On enquiry from Ashok Kumar he told that he had brought his wife to the hospital in an unconscious condition a day before. Sirs, the Lab technician Mrs. Tarsem Kaur & her son Rohit are also getting treatment in Private Room No. 1 of the hospital. Both are being treated for jaundice. Both of them are also the residents of Mansa Devi Nagar. Sirs, dozens of residents of that locality are suffering from jaundice. Kapurthala Civil Surgeon Dr. Avtar Singh admitted that the deceased had been suffering from water borne diseases. Sirs, in Phagwara the cases of diarrhea, malaria, intestinal helminthes (Hook work disease) that leads to severe consequences such as cognitive impairment massive dysentery or anemia & Hepatitis A. (The disease with which she was found to be suffering) is spreading like anything due to lack of SAFE DRINKING WATER, SANITATION & BASIC HEALTH CARE. Sirs, for the urban poor, the living conditions are the worst. If this problem could not be addressed to in an adequate & timely manner serial deaths & associated health consequences will follow. Air pollution causes chronic & acute respiratory diseases, vantilatory malfunction, heart diseases, cancer of lungs due to Industrial Pollution by the heavy industries within the highly congested and prone areas of the town. All the three Mills like JCT Phagwara, Wahid & Sandher Sughar Mill Phagwara (Formerly Jagatjit Sugar Mill) and Sukhjit Starch & Chemical Industries Phagwara and number of industries of world repute are situated at the Prime and congested residential areas of Phagwara. Sirs, due to in adequate access to clean drinking water everybody of the town looks like a patient. Hargobind Nagar is the posh locality of the town developed by Improvement Trust. This colony had been developed for residential purpose. But now it has turned to a colony of Nursing Homes with the connivance of the officials. The hospital wastes being generated by the mushrooming growth of these Nursing Homes pose a special risk and has the potential to take epidemic form. I personally brought these civic issues in the knowledge of civic authorities but no action had been made so far. Kindly look in to the matter seriously for the lives of lakhs of people. I am confident that you will agree that resolving these problems are of great value. So, it is requested to you all to please to give prompt attention. Thanking you in advance for your help and cooperation. Rajneesh Madhok, more

Resolved Question: I want to join anti corruption group in india?

April 15, 2007 To The Deputy Commissioner, Kapurthala, The Deputy Director, Department Of Local Bodies, Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, Jalandhar. The Sub Divisional Magistrate, Phagwara, Executive Officer, Municipal Council, Phagwara. President, Municipal Council Phagwara. The Civil Surgeon, Kapurthala. The Senior Medical Officer, Phagwara. SUB: HOW MUCH PEOPLE WILL DIE DUE TO WATER BORNE DISEASES LIKE THE DEATH OF ROONA – DIED ON 13TH APRIL 2007 DUE TO VIRAL HEPATITIS A- RESIDENT OF MANSA DEVI LOCALITY OF PHAGWARA Dear Sirs, I, Rajneesh Madhok, resident of Nehru Nagar, Street No. 2, Railway Road, Phagwara. Ph. 01824-262569 (O), 268210 (R), 94173-06415 (Mobile), Tele-fax: 01824-262569, E-mail: madhok_rajneesh@vsnl.net wrote in my articles published in various newspapers and periodicals and personally wrote to yourgoodselves about the deteriorated sanitation facilities in Phagwara but to no vain. Please note that I am a Registered Member of Core Centre (Consumer On-line Resource & Empowerment Centre) supported by Ministry Of Consumer Affair, Food & Public Distribution, Department of Consumer Affairs, Govt. of India, Managed by Consumer Coordination Council. ( For detail Kindly visit www.core.nic.in ) & Karamayaog.org an N.G.O. working for social & civic issues and is partner with anti corruption bureau via Mumbai. (For detail kindly visit www.karmayog.org ) Sirs, the death of 35-year-old Roona, due to hepatitis yesterday has led to panic among residents of Mansa Devi locality here. Following the public outcry, health and civic authorities should initiate some preventive measures. Roona was admitted in the Civil Hospital yesterday morning under suspicion that she was afflicted with jaundice. Later, she was found to be suffering from Viral hepatitis-A. Sirs, hundreds of residents of Phagwara town, including those from localities like Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Shivpuri, Rattanpura, Onkar Nagar, Industrial Area, Bhagatpura and Mansa Devi Nagar, were suffering from various water-borne diseases including jaundice, gastroenteritis and viral fever. Lack of sanitation, drainage and blocking and overflowing of sewerage system of several places were main reasons behind the mess. Despite the seriousness of the situation, the authorities of the Phagwara Nagar Council and the health department those have been interviewed by me in the past months like President, Nagar Council, Executive Officer Nagar Council, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Phagwara and Senior Medical Officer, Phagwara and have been published in the Newspaper and periodicals with my name as well had been claiming that the situation is under control. Doctors of Civil Hospital who were treating the deceased said she was transfused two bottles of blood. Ashok Kumar, husband of Roona, who was attending on her, was suffering from jaundice as well. On enquiry from Ashok Kumar he told that he had brought his wife to the hospital in an unconscious condition a day before. Sirs, the Lab technician Mrs. Tarsem Kaur & her son Rohit are also getting treatment in Private Room No. 1 of the hospital. Both are being treated for jaundice. Both of them are also the residents of Mansa Devi Nagar. Sirs, dozens of residents of that locality are suffering from jaundice. Kapurthala Civil Surgeon Dr. Avtar Singh admitted that the deceased had been suffering from water borne diseases. Sirs, in Phagwara the cases of diarrhea, malaria, intestinal helminthes (Hook work disease) that leads to severe consequences such as cognitive impairment massive dysentery or anemia & Hepatitis A. (The disease with which she was found to be suffering) is spreading like anything due to lack of SAFE DRINKING WATER, SANITATION & BASIC HEALTH CARE. Sirs, for the urban poor, the living conditions are the worst. If this problem could not be addressed to in an adequate & timely manner serial deaths & associated health consequences will follow. Air pollution causes chronic & acute respiratory diseases, vantilatory malfunction, heart diseases, cancer of lungs due to Industrial Pollution by the heavy industries within the highly congested and prone areas of the town. All the three Mills like JCT Phagwara, Wahid & Sandher Sughar Mill Phagwara (Formerly Jagatjit Sugar Mill) and Sukhjit Starch & Chemical Industries Phagwara and number of industries of world repute are situated at the Prime and congested residential areas of Phagwara. Sirs, due to in adequate access to clean drinking water everybody of the town looks like a patient. Hargobind Nagar is the posh locality of the town developed by Improvement Trust. This colony had been developed for residential purpose. But now it has turned to a colony of Nursing Homes with the connivance of the officials. The hospital wastes being generated by the mushrooming growth of these Nursing Homes pose a special risk and has the potential to take epidemic form. I personally brought these civic issues in the knowledge of civic authorities but no action had been made so far. Kindly look in to the matter seriously for the lives of lakhs of people. I am confident that you will agree that resolving these problems are of great value. So, it is requested to you all to please to give prompt attention. Thanking you in advance for your help and cooperation. Rajneesh Madhok, more

Resolved Question: Statistics homework problems?

1. A stoplight on the way to class is red 60% of the time. What is the probability of hitting a redlight... (a) 2 days in a row? (b) 3 days in a row? (c) 2 out of 3 days? 2. A viral infection is spread by contact with an infected person. Let the probability that a healthy person gets the infection, in one contact, be p=0.4. (a) an infected person has contact with five healthy persons. Specify the distribution of X=no. of persons who contract the infection (b) Find P[X (less than or equal to) 3], P[X=0], E(X) thank you! more

Resolved Question: Riddle me this riddle me that? How come so few know of this alternative sustainable zero point energy source?

Hi every one. Please do not comment until you have looked at the web site It is a new type of alternative electric energy called Ultra Conductors, that generate 20 times the power of solar per square yard 24/7 365 days a year. They can be used for public energy distribution or any mobile device, including but not limited to cars, train, boats, lab tops, and planes. If you want to know more go to American Magnetics Inc web site www.americanantigravity.com This company is currently awaiting more funds to launch, they have been working on making it viable for decades, now they have succeeded. They have working ultra conductors that have been peer reviewed in the science world. Please spread the word, this company has a solution that has not got enough coverage in The Media. Let this be a grass roots viral spreading of info Worldwide. Another web site is www.ultraconductors.com Just as a side note I am not affiliated with this company, I just believe in what they are doing. more

Resolved Question: Pharmacology calculation! need immedite help please!Can anyone help solving it?

currently enrolling in a pharmacology course, and i am struggling with this one question: Acyclovir is a new potent and selective anti-viral agent.When administered to human beings,most of the drug is eliminated from the body unchanged,via glomerular filtration and tubular secretion.Due to its large therapeutic index,the maximum plasma level after administration can be 1.3mg/L without causing any side effect,whereas the clinical effective plasma concentration needs to be higher than 0.06mg/L.The bioavailability of the orally administered Acyclovir is low(20%),and dosing is required 2-5times a day.Acyclovir.For a 70kg adult,the elimination rate constant is 0.28hr and apparent volume of distribution is 56liters approx.The oral dose is considered to be formulated as 200mg or 400mg.Due to a limitation of sustained release capsule,the absorption rate constant of oral dosing form can be controlled as 0.167hr,or 0.083hr.Design a possible once-a-day oral dosing form(the best D and Ka) more

Resolved Question: This a problem about ethics in business and intellectual properties in a pharmaceutical company?

2 researchers,one is Dr.Adam n n da other is Dr.Badul went on to do a research about anti retro-viral treatment in two different companies. Both r friends.Dr.Adam is the CEO of company Comel n Dr.Badul is the head of researcher in company Dent. Dr.Badul was expelled by company Dent because being alleged of disclosure of some research findings to another competitor and soon was offered by Dr.Adam to do a collabo with him. Dr. Badul told that he was on his way to finished his final research findings when he was expelled.The findings are still with his former company.They soon finalised their research and produce a new anti-retroviral called LayanJer and managed to secure a deal with the government to sell their to all the hospital in government and private sector. The problem are 1. that as soon as company Comel launch its to the public,Company Dent claims that da LayanJer produce by company Comel copycat its similar to then called Yezza. Dr. Badul claim that the similarities are coincidental when he was asked to defend his right during company Comel EGM. 2.Company Dent filed a complaints to the Ministry of Trade against company Comel for patent right violation and also to the Ministry of Health for marketing LayanJer without approval. 3.Company Comel is also facing a multi million lawsuit by company Dent for manufacturing and distribution of LayanJer as compared to Yezza. How to solve this problems ethically and who is right and who is wrong in this case? more