抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1（PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员，通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。

疟原虫var基因转换速率变化导致抗原变异[英]／Paul H, Robert P, Christodoulou Z, et al//Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

An endothelium-derived 21-residue vasoconstrictor peptide, endothelin, has been isolated, and shown to be one of the most potent vasoconstrictors known. Cloning and sequencing of preproendothelin complementary DNA shows that mature endothelin is generated through an unusual proteolytic processing, and regional homologies to a group of neurotoxins suggest that endothelin is an endogenous modulator of voltage-dependent ion channels. Expression of the endothelin gene is regulated by several vasoactive agents, indicating the existence of a novel cardiovascular control system.

/pdf/a-novel-potent-vasoconstrictor-peptide-produced-by-vascular-4zvh0kyupn.pdf

A novel potent vasoconstrictor peptide produced by vascular endothelial cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was purified from media conditioned by bovine pituitary folliculostellate cells (FC). VEGF is a heparin-binding growth factor specific for vascular endothelial cells that is able to induce angiogenesis in vivo. Complementary DNA clones for bovine and human VEGF were isolated from cDNA libraries prepared from FC and HL60 leukemia cells, respectively. These cDNAs encode hydrophilic proteins with sequences related to those of the A and B chains of platelet-derived growth factor. DNA sequencing suggests the existence of several molecular species of VEGF. VEGFs are secreted proteins, in contrast to other endothelial cell mitogens such as acidic or basic fibroblast growth factors and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor. Human 293 cells transfected with an expression vector containing a bovine or human VEGF cDNA insert secrete an endothelial cell mitogen that behaves like native VEGF.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/246/4935/1306.full.pdf

Vascular endothelial growth factor is a secreted angiogenic mitogen

: Successful Software reuse requires the systematic discovery and exploitation of commonality across related software systems. By examining related software systems and the underlying theory of the class of systems they represent, domain analysis can provide a generic description of the requirements of that class of systems and a set of approaches for their implementation. This report will establish methods for performing a domain analysis and describe the products of the domain analysis process. To illustrate the application of domain analysis to a representative class of software systems, this report will provide a domain analysis of window management system software.

/pdf/feature-oriented-domain-analysis-foda-feasibility-study-2zsj0a30fo.pdf

Feature-Oriented Domain Analysis (FODA) Feasibility Study

Because the critical central regions of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) and quasars are strongly nonspherical but spatially unresolved, orientation effects have been the source of much confusion. In fact, it now appears that much of the variety in AGN types is just the result of varying orientation relative to the line of sight. We can define an extreme hypothesis,, the straw person model (SPM), in which there are two basic types of AGN: the radio quiets and the radio louds. For each type there is a range in intrinsic luminosity, and the luminosity controls some properties such as the Fanaroff and Riley classes. However, at a given intrinsic luminosity, all other properties such as spectroscopic classification and VLBI component speeds are ascribed to orientation. This model is only a caricature of the unification idea, and is already ruled out on many grounds, but it will be useful for organizing the discussion. I’ll describe what I consider to be convincing evidence that orientation effects are important and widespread. The true situation may be in some sense half way between the SPM and the hypothesis that orientation doesn’t affect classification at aIl. To us optimists, the orienration cup is half full rather than half empty. Although it is too soon to say for sure, the hypothesis that most objects’ classifications would be different if seen from other directions is a tenable one today.

http://www.physics.purdue.edu/%7Emlister/articles/antonucci1993_ann_rev.pdf

Unified models for active galactic nuclei and quasars

A method is provided for treating a patient in need of therapy for acute neuronal degeneration due to metabolic compromise of central or peripheral nervous system cells comprising administering to that patient a therapeutically effective amount of a 7α-hydroxy substituted steroid selected from 7α-hydroxy-derivatives of estradiols, dehydroepiandrosterones and pregnenolones, and metabolic precursors thereof. Use of such compounds for manufacture of medicaments and neuroprotective compositions are also provided.

Use of 7alpha-hydroxy-estradiol, 7alpha-hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone and 7alpha-hydroxy-pregnenolone derivatives for treating acute cellular degeneration

Characterization of polyoma virus early proteins expressed from vaccinia virus recombinants

Chronic infection with herpes viruses is a potential contributing factor to the development of dementia. The introduction of nationwide shingles (varicella zoster) vaccination in Wales might therefore be associated with reduced incident dementia.

Reduced dementia incidence after varicella zoster vaccination in Wales 2013–2020

The rise in prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is suggestive of a new etiology. Diagnostic substitution alone is unlikely to account for the increase, while genetic association with detoxification gene alleles points to an environmental contribution. Subtle structural anomalies in the ASD brain are widespread but limbic damage seems important for the development of behaviors diagnostic of ASD. The limbic brain is especially susceptible to environmental challenge: internal sensing, physiological feedback and neuroinflammatory processes may underlie this sensitivity to insult. Primary damage leading to ASD in later life is likely to take place in utero and/or in the immediate postnatal period. Despite evidence of heavy metal involvement, a causal connection may not yet be concluded because subjects exposed to metals tend to be exposed to other environmental agents. Because maternal minerals and lipids are supplied to the unborn child, historic toxic exposure of the mother may be pivotal. A two-hit combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental challenge is argued to underlie the rise in ASD.

Environmental Factors and Limbic Vulnerability in Childhood Autism

Rabies is a disease of major significance to human and veterinary medicine. Derivatives of the vaccine developed by Pasteur and associates 100 years ago (1885) are still in use in many parts of the world. During the past two decades considerable progress has been made in improving the efficiency and safety of rabies vaccines through the use of tissue-culture techniques. The Wistar Institute human diploid rabies vaccine, introduced in 1970, is now in general use in the United States and Western Europe. In spite of having a nearly perfect record of safety and efficacy, this vaccine is too costly for extensive use in many of the developing countries, particularly those where rabies vaccine is most needed. Furthermore, rabies is unique in that vaccine treatment is generally applied, in humans, after exposure to the virus: although postexposure vaccination is effective, the precise mechanism of its action is not yet clearly understood.

Richard Lathe

Papers

Use of 7alpha-hydroxy-estradiol, 7alpha-hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone and 7alpha-hydroxy-pregnenolone derivatives for treating acute cellular degeneration

Characterization of polyoma virus early proteins expressed from vaccinia virus recombinants

Reduced dementia incidence after varicella zoster vaccination in Wales 2013–2020

Environmental Factors and Limbic Vulnerability in Childhood Autism

New Generation of Rabies Vaccine