Careers in Virology: Science Writing and Journalism

This article condenses some highlights from a presentation that I have now given at several universities about the bench-to-newsroom career path. For readers who simply want a short explanation of how to parlay their hard-earned critical-thinking skills from graduate school into a lucrative job in a growing industry, go to law school.     

病毒学面临的挑战及其在新世纪发展的机遇

作为微生物学的一个重要分支,病毒学的发展为提高人类健康水平和促进工农业生产做出了突出贡献.我国病毒学虽然在基础研究领域较为薄弱,但在诸如病毒分离、分类和形态研究以及疫苗研制等领域屡有建树,在动植物病毒病的生物防治和人类病毒病以疫苗为主的综合防治方面都做出了具有国际水平的工作.本文尝试从二十世纪医学病毒学的发展出发分析该学科所面临的机遇与挑战,并探讨我国病毒学界应采取的应对策略.     

鱼类细胞系在病毒学研究中的应用进展

鱼类细胞培养尽管起步较晚,但截至目前已有近280余株不同的鱼类细胞系相继建立起来,在生理学、病毒学、毒理学、肿瘤及基因工程等多个领域发挥重要作用。主要对鱼类细胞系在病毒学研究中的最新应用,并结合作者自身的研究,尤其侧重于鱼类病毒分离、重要功能基因鉴定、抗病毒免疫和病毒致病机理研究等方面的进展作一概述。     

Recreational Physical Activity as an Independent Predictor of Multivariable Cardiovascular Disease Risk

The role of physical activity in preventing CVD has been highlighted by Professor Jerry Morris in the 1950’s. We report outcome of a 15-year prospective study with the aim to identify whether physical activity showed cardiovascular benefit independent of common risk factors and of central obesity. Baseline data of 8662 subjects, with no previous history of heart disease, diabetes or stroke, were obtained from an age- and gender- stratified sample of adults in Australian capital cities and were linked with the National Death Index to determine the causes of death of 610 subjects who had died to 31 December 2004. The study consisted of 4175 males (age 42.3±13.1 years) and 4487 females (age 42.8±13.2 years). Fasting serum lipid levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and smoking habits at baseline were recorded. The Framingham Risk Scores of 15-year mortality due to CHD and CVD were calculated using established equations. Subjects were also asked if they engaged in vigorous exercise, less vigorous exercise or walk for recreation and exercise in the past 2 weeks. Subjects in the high recreational physical activity category were 0.16 (0.06–0.43; p<0.001) and 0.12 (0.03–0.48; p = 0.003) times as likely as subjects in the low category for CVD and CHD mortality respectively. After adjusting for both the Framingham Risk Score and central obesity (Waist circumference to Hip circumference Ratio), those in the high recreational physical activity group were 0.35 (0.13–0.98) times less likely compared to the low category for CVD mortality. Recreational physical activity independently predicted reduced cardiovascular mortality over fifteen years. A public health focus on increased physical activity and preventing obesity is required to reduce the risk of CVD and CHD.     

Categorical Analysis of the Evolution of Psychology as an Independent Body of Knowledge

Some new trends, reflecting a renewed interest in history on the part of active science, have appeared in the study of the history of psychology.     

对于正确应用SCI作为学术评估体系的一点看法

世界上每年有上万种杂志发表研究论文,量化评估这些论文的质量,可以衡量其科学性和对相关领域的贡献.SCI是以引用为基础的计量法,可以为科学杂志排序,其引入对于促进中国科学界与世界同行的交流与合作,以及我国的科技发展具有不可忽视的作用.但是近年应用SCI,尤其是影响因子(IF)作为单一的论文质量评价指标而遭质疑.本文分析我国SCI论文评价的历史与现状,探讨如何客观地认识SCI等科技论文评价方法,建议提高国内学术期刊的国际影响力,在改进量化评价体系的同时,注意科技论文的定性评价,以推动我国学术评价体系的完善,以利于促进我国科技发展.     

Development of a Camel Kidney Cell Strain and Its Use in Virology

A strain of camel kidney cells was developed and carried in serial passages. The subcultures were slow-growing in the early passages and were composed of heterogeneous cell population. By the 35th passage, the growth rate increased, and more homogeneous cells, mostly of the epithelioid type, were seen. The cell strain was highly susceptible to West Nile, Sindbis, vesicular stomatitis, adeno, and vaccinia viruses, and also was susceptible to herpes simplex, rinderpest, measles, and canine distemper viruses.     

Virology of the family Togaviridae

Many pathogens important for medicine, veterinary medicine or public health belong to the genera alphavirus and rubivirus within the family Togaviridae. 29 species of alphaviruses have been reported, and most of them are arboviruses. Chikungnya virus re-emerged in Kenya in 2004 and the epidemics spread to the Indian Ocean islands and many countries in South Asia, South-East Asia and Europe. On the other hand, rubella virus, a sole member of the genus rubivirus, is the causative agent of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Because human is only a natural host of the virus and effective live attenuated vaccines are available, immunization activities are strengthened globally to eliminate rubella and CRS, together with measles.