Anthrax countermeasures: current status and future needs

The U.S. government does not yet have the range of medical countermeasures needed to protect its citizens from anthrax and other potential bioweapons. In the event of an anthrax attack, treatment interventions in addition to antibiotics would be needed so that very ill patients can be treated and clean-up crews can be better protected, especially if an engineered strain is used. This article describes specific anthrax countermeasures that are in development, barriers to development, and potential mechanisms the government could use to accelerate the movement of these countermeasures through the pipeline. A key challenge will be to encourage the transition of promising leads from basic research to the product development stage, when they may qualify for BioShield funds.     

Saliva proteome research: current status and future outlook

Human saliva harbours proteins of clinical relevance and about 30% of blood proteins are also present in saliva. This highlights that saliva can be used for clinical applications just as urine or blood. However, the translation of salivary biomarker discoveries into clinical settings is hampered by the dynamics and complexity of the salivary proteome. This review focuses on the current status of technological developments and achievements relating to approaches for unravelling the human salivary proteome. We discuss the dynamics of the salivary proteome, as well as the importance of sample preparation and processing techniques and their influence on downstream protein applications; post-translational modifications of salivary proteome and protein: protein interactions. In addition, we describe possible enrichment strategies for discerning post-translational modifications of salivary proteins, the potential utility of selected-reaction-monitoring techniques for biomarker discovery and validation, limitations to proteomics and the biomarker challenge and future perspectives. In summary, we provide recommendations for practical saliva sampling, processing and storage conditions to increase the quality of future studies in an emerging field of saliva clinical proteomics. We propose that the advent of technologies allowing sensitive and high throughput proteome-wide analyses, coupled to well-controlled study design, will allow saliva to enter clinical practice as an alternative to blood-based methods due to its simplistic nature of sampling, non-invasiveness, easy of collection and multiple collections by untrained professionals and cost-effective advantages.     

The current status of ethnobiological research in Latin America: gaps and perspectives

Background

Recent reviews have demonstrated an increase in the number of papers on ethnobiology in Latin America. Among factors that have influenced this increase are the biological and cultural diversity of these countries and the general scientific situation in some countries. This study aims to assess the panorama of ethnobiological research in Latin America by analyzing its evolution, trends, and future prospects.

Methods

To conduct this study, we searched for papers in the Scopus (http://www.scopus.com) and Web of Science (http://www.isiknowledge.com) databases. The search was performed using combinations of keywords and the name of each Latin American country. The following countries were included in this study: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, and Uruguay.

Results and conclusions

According to our inclusion criteria, 679 ethnobiological studies conducted in Latin America were found for the period between 1963 and 2012. Of these studies, 289 (41%) were conducted in Brazil, 153 in Mexico (22%), 61 in Peru (9%), 58 in Argentina (8%), 45 in Bolivia (6%), and 97 (14%) in other Latin American countries. The increased number of publications related to this area of knowledge in recent years demonstrates the remarkable growth of ethnobiology as a science. Ethnobiological research may be stimulated by an increase in the number of scientific events and journals for study dissemination and by the creation of undergraduate courses and graduate programs to train ethnoscientists who will produce high-quality studies, especially in certain countries.

     

Consequences of fishing moratoria on catch and bycatch: the case of tropical tuna purse-seiners and whale and whale shark associated sets

Time–area regulations have been introduced to manage stocks of tropical tuna, given the increased use of drifting fish aggregation devices (FADs). However, the consequences in terms of changes in fishing strategies and effort reallocation may not always be as expected. For instance, in the eastern Pacific Ocean, previous studies have highlighted that the increase use of FAD-fishing following the demand for tuna caught without dolphin mortality has raised concerns about the bycatch and the capture of juvenile tuna. In the tropical eastern Atlantic and western Indian Oceans, this study aimed to (1) assess, using before–after analysis, the consequences of previous time–area regulations on FAD sets on the fishing effort allocated to megafauna associated sets, and (2) evaluate through Monte Carlo simulations the potential effect of new regulations banning whale or/and whale shark associated sets. Firstly, we showed that previous time–area regulations, which were mainly implemented during seasons with few whale and whale shark associated sets, generally had thus little effect on the number of megafauna associated sets. Secondly, some simulations, particularly when both whale and whale shark associated sets were banned, predicted consequences of changes in fishing strategy. Indeed, these types of ban could lead to an increase in the number of FAD and free school sets but no change in the tuna catch, as well as a slight decrease in bycatch. These results indicate that an ecosystem approach to fisheries, by taking into account megafauna associated sets and bycatch, should thus be adopted when implementing management or conservation measures.     

Long-term ecological research on Korean forest ecosystems: the current status and challenges

The present study aims to monitor the long-term changes in forest structure, productivity, nutrient cycling, and to accumulate ecological information on forest ecosystem in Korea. There are six long-term ecological research sites and seven flux measurement sites in Korea. The Gwangneung experimental forest (GEF) located in the central cool-temperate forest sub zone is known as a model site where many interdisciplinary researches have been ongoing actively since mid-1990s over all other Korea long-term ecological research sites (KLTER). Collected data and information through monitoring and investigation of changes in forest ecosystem have been stored in a database for analyses. The relative importance of tree species (%) of GEF was in the order Quercus serrata (20)?=?Euonymus oxyphyllus (20)?>?Carpinus laxiflora (12). The total biomass and basal area were 249.53 t ha^?1 and 26.66 m² ha^?1, respectively. There were 136 taxa with 49 families, with 97 genera, 11 varieties, 3 forma, and 1 subspecies in 1 ha permanent plot. The increase in temperature has been estimated to have negative effects on tree growth. The litter decomposition rate was in the order Cornus controversa?<?C. cordata?<?C. laxiflora?<?Q. serrata. The average litterfall and soil respiration were 5803 kg ha^?1 and 8600 kg C ha^?1, respectively. Further, the GEF, a KLTER site tended to be almost carbon neutral with an annual growth average of 51,000?±?78,000 kg ha^?1. The data from six LTER sites are digitalized and classified to build data catalogs on the ecological information system. The information on stand dynamics and materials and energy budget in the forest ecosystem is utilized for impact assessment and the study of adaptation strategy for forest ecosystem to climate change.     

药用真菌白囊耙齿菌的研究现状及展望

白囊耙齿菌为一种药用真菌,其多糖已经被开发成药品,用于治疗肾小球肾炎所致的各种症状。本文对白囊耙齿菌菌丝体培养、人工栽培、多糖提取和功能、胞外酶及其应用等进行了总结,对国内外有关专利和应用进行了比较分析。在此基础上,分析了目前研究中存在的问题,对其未来进行了展望,旨在为其生物学研究和开发利用提供依据和借鉴。     

Erythropoietin: current status

Understanding the regulation of red blood cell production has been greatly enhanced by the cloning and expression of the gene for human erythropoietin (Epo) and its receptor. The availability of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) for administration to patients has ushered in a new era in molecular medicine. Intravenous or subcutaneous administration of rhEpo can reliably cure the anemia of chronic renal failure and may be effective in the treatment of anemias secondary to chronic inflammation, malignancy, and marrow suppression from chemotherapy. In addition, rhEpo therapy will probably play a prominent role in transfusion medicine, both in preparing patients for auto-transfusions as well as in minimizing red cell transfusion requirements in the post-operative period.     

The current status of opioid research on gastrointestinal motility

Apparently conflicting data on opioid effects on gastrointestinal motility have been reported in the literature. The current status is reviewed and an attempt is made to find a common denominator to discrepant results by suggesting functionally contrasting opioid systems modulating the same physiological functions. Upon superimposition, these contrasting systems might result in opposite opioid effects dependent on the actual functional balance between the systems at the time of drug administration. Inhibitory neuromodulation at multiple sites leading to either inhibition or disinhibition by opioids may serve as a common basis of their contrasting effects. This interpretation, though consistent with most of the currently available data, is still a working hypothesis.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis and active ingredients of medicinal plants: current research status and prospectives

Medicinal plants have been used world-wide for thousands of years and are widely recognized as having high healing but minor toxic side effects. The scarcity and increasing demand for medicinal plants and their products have promoted the development of artificial cultivation of medicinal plants. Currently, one of the prominent issues in medicinal cultivation systems is the unstable quality of the products. Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) affects secondary metabolism and the production of active ingredients of medicinal plants and thus influence the quality of herbal medicines. In this review, we have assembled, analyzed, and summarized the effects of AM symbioses on secondary metabolites of medicinal plants. We conclude that symbiosis of AM is conducive to favorable characteristics of medicinal plants, by improving the production and accumulation of important active ingredients of medicinal plants such as terpenes, phenols, and alkaloids, optimizing the composition of different active ingredients in medicinal plants and ultimately improving the quality of herbal materials. We are convinced that the AM symbiosis will benefit the cultivation of medicinal plants and improve the total yield and quality of herbal materials. Through this review, we hope to draw attention to the status and prospects of, and arouse more interest in, the research field of medicinal plants and mycorrhiza.     

Ethnozoology in Brazil: current status and perspectives

Ancient connections between animals and human are seen in cultures throughout the world in multiple forms of interaction with the local fauna that form the core of Ethnozoology. Historically, ethnozoological publications grew out of studies undertaken in academic areas such as zoology, human ecology, sociology and anthropology - reflecting the interdisciplinary character of this discipline. The rich fauna and cultural diversity found in Brazil, with many different species of animals being used for an extremely wide diversity of purposes by Amerindian societies (as well as the descendents of the original European colonists and African slaves), presents an excellent backdrop for examining the relationships that exist between humans and other animals. This work presents a historical view of ethnozoological research in Brazil and examines its evolution, tendencies, and future perspectives. In summary, literature researches indicated that ethnozoology experienced significant advances in recent years in Brazil, although from a qualitative point of view improvement is still needed in terms of methodological procedures, taxonomic precision, and the use of quantitative techniques. A wide range of methodologies and theories are available in different areas of learning that can be put to good use in ethnozoological approaches if the right questions are asked. The challenges to studying ethnozoology in Brazil are not insignificant, and the tendencies described in the present study may aid in defining research strategies that will maintain the quantitative growth observed in the recent years but likewise foster needed qualitative improvements.     

Waterborne cryptosporidiosis: current status

In the past ten years Cryptosporidium oocysts have been shown to be common contaminants of water, causing at least 19 waterborne outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis which have affected more than 427 000 individuals. Recommended methods for oocyst isolation and enumeration are time-consuming and inefficient and experts state that the absence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in drinking water can never be guaranteed. In the UK alone, a National Research Programme costing pound3 million has been undertaken. Here, Huw Smith and Joan Rose review the current status of knowledge and identify approaches taken by UK and USA Government regulatory bodies in order to reduce the likelihood of waterborne transmission.     

Seaweed protoplasts: status,biotechnological perspectives and needs

Protoplasts are living plant cells without cell walls which offer a unique uniform single cell system that facilitates several aspects of modern biotechnology, including genetic transformation and metabolic engineering. Extraction of cell wall lytic enzymes from different phycophages and microbial sources has greatly improved protoplast isolation and their yield from a number of anatomically more complex species of brown and red seaweeds which earlier remained recalcitrant. Recently, recombinant cell wall lytic enzymes were also produced and evaluated with native ones for their potential abilities in producing viable protoplasts from Laminaria. Reliable procedures are now available to isolate and culture protoplasts from diverse groups of seaweeds. To date, there are 89 species belonging to 36 genera of green, red and brown seaweeds from which successful protoplast isolation and regeneration has been reported. Of the total species studied for protoplasts, most belonged to Rhodophyta with 41 species (13 genera) followed by Chlorophyta and Phaeophyta with 24 species each belonging to 5 and 18 genera, respectively. Regeneration of protoplast-to-plant system is available for a large number of species, with extensive literature relating to their culture methods and morphogenesis. In the context of plant genetic manipulation, somatic hybridization by protoplast fusion has been accomplished in a number of economically important species with various levels of success. Protoplasts have also been used for studying foreign gene expression in Porphyra and Ulva. Isolated protoplasts are also exploited in numerous miscellaneous studies involving membrane function, cell structure, bio-chemical synthesis of cell walls etc. This article briefly reviews the status of various developments in seaweed protoplasts research and their potentials in genetic improvement of seaweeds, along with needs that must to be fulfilled for effective realization of the objectives envisaged for protoplast research.     

Human ectoparasitoses: current status in Uruguay

The present status of human ectoparasitoses in Uruguay is analyzed with the main purpose of performing in the future, comparative studies in the region. After classifying ectoparasites in temporary and permanent, comments are made on particular clinical and epidemiological aspects of some of them. For remarking: the high prevalence of pediculosis capitis and scabies; the frequent observation of cutaneous myiasis by Dermatobia hominis with a very interesting modification of the geographical national distribution of the fly and the presence of an endemic area of creeping eruption by Ancylostoma braziliense and A. caninum in the north of the country.     

Carotid angioplasty and stenting: current status

Carotid angioplasty and stenting has recently emerged as a popular alternative to endarterectomy for the treatment of carotid atherosclerosis. Carotid endarterectomy has been scientifically validated, but many believe carotid angioplasty and stenting to be a less invasive, less expensive and equally safe and effective method of treatment. The evidence for and against the use of each procedure will be discussed.