User:Kfranks81292/test
Antiviral Protein[edit]
Antiviral proteins are proteins that are induced by human or animal cells to interfere with viral replication. These proteins are isolated to inhibit the virus from replicating in a host's cells and stop the virus from spreading to other cells.[1] The Pokeweed antiviral protein and the Zinc-Finger antiviral protein are two major antiviral proteins that have undergone several tests for viruses including HIV/AIDS and influenza. [2][3]
Pokeweed Antiviral Protein[edit]
The pokeweed plant is a common plant that is often used as a dye, and it is also eaten when the plant is young and tender. Studies and experiments have shown that a specific protein, the Pokeweed Antiviral Protein (PAP), could possibly be used as a thereputical use in T-cell leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's Disease, and AIDS. In an experiment posted in the Journal of Virology, mice immune systems were integrated to mimic that of humans. The mice were then infected with the HIV virus and later given the PAP. The experiment showed that the PAP cured the mice from the HIV and with no side-effects. Due to these experiments, the FDA approved of using PAP on HIV patients in the U.S., and the Medicines Control Council approved the use for African HIV patients. Research is still being conducted with PAP to see the effectiveness on other viruses including the common cold.[4]
Zinc-Finger Antiviral Protein[edit]
The Zinc-Finger Antiviral Protein (ZAP) is a specific antiviral protein that aids in the destruction of virus cells, specifically the Moloney murine leukemia virus (MLV) and the Sindbis virus (SIN). ZAP prevents the viral mRNA from building up inside the cell. [5] ZAP is specifically coded for certain target mRNA. Once a correct viral mRNA is detected, it recruits an RNA exosome complex to break down and destroy the viral RNA.[6] S. Miller and colleagues at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine stated that:
Antiviral effects were observed after infection of cells expressing the N-terminal part of ZAP fused to the product of the zeocin resistance gene (NZAP-Zeo) as well as after infection of cells inducibly expressing full-length ZAP. EBOV was inhibited by up to 4 log units, whereas MARV was inhibited between 1 to 2 log units. The activity of ZAP was dependent on the integrity of the second and fourth zinc finger motif, as tested with cell lines expressing NZAP-Zeo mutants. Heterologous expression of EBOV-and MARV-specific sequences fused to a reporter gene suggest that ZAP specifically targets L gene sequences. The activity of NZAP-Zeo in this assay was also dependent on the integrity of the second and fourth zinc finger motif. Time-course experiments with infectious EBOV showed that ZAP reduces the level of L mRNA before the level of genomic or anti genomic RNA is affected. Transient expression of ZAP decreased the activity of an EBOV replicon system by up to 95%. This inhibitory effect could be partially compensated for by overexpression of L protein.[7]
Fighting Influenza[edit]
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have found an antiviral protein that could slow and even prevent deadly viruses from infecting and spreading. These proteins account for up to half of the immune response system in humans and the other half is composed of interferons. In one experiment, this certain antiviral protein defended cells from viruses such as, influenza, H1N1, West Nile, and dengue virus. The protein, interferon-inducible transmembrane proteins (IFITM), was discovered about 25 years ago and is activated by an interferon. Not much is known about this protein, but it is found in many creatures and has been around for possibly millions of years.[8] "The most distinctive property of the first-line IFITM3 defense is its preventive action before the virus can fuse with the cell,"[9] said virologist Michael Farzan, associate professor of microbiology and molecular genetics at HMS and the New England Primate Research Center. A person's susceptibility to viral infections could be linked to variations in this antiviral protein and also how severe a person reacts to certain viruses like the flu or the more dangerous, H1N1 strain.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ Houghton Mifflin Company. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/antiviral+protein?&qsrc=.
- ^ The McGraw-Hill Companies. Pokeweed Antiviral Protein. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/pae/botany/botany_map/articles/article_46.html.
- ^ "Harvard Medical School; Scientists discover natural flu-fighting protein in human cells." Drug Week 2010. 1007. Web. 10 Sep 2010. Galileo. Lexis Nexis Academic. Retrieved at Georgia Southern University Henderson Library. <http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/>.
- ^ The McGraw-Hill Companies. Pokeweed Antiviral Protein. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/pae/botany/botany_map/articles/article_46.html.
- ^ "Antivirals; Researchers' work from Chinese Academy of Sciences focuses on antivirals." Drug Week 2007. 64. Web. 10 Sep 2010. Galileo. Lexis Nexis Academic. Retrieved at Georgia Southern University Henderson Library. <http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/>.
- ^ "Enzyme Research; New findings from G.F. Chen and co-researchers in the area of enzyme research described." Biotech Business Week 2008. 920. Web. 10 Sep 2010. Galileo. Lexis Nexis Academic. Retrieved at Georgia Southern University Henderson Library. <http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/>.
- ^ "Virology; Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Department of Virology reports research in virology." Drug Week 2007. 342. Web. 10 Sep 2010. Galileo. Lexis Nexis Academic. Retrieved at Georgia Southern University Henderson Library. <http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/>.
- ^ "Harvard Medical School; Scientists discover natural flu-fighting protein in human cells." Drug Week 2010. 1007. Web. 10 Sep 2010. Galileo. Lexis Nexis Academic. Retrieved at Georgia Southern University Henderson Library. <http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/>.
- ^ "Harvard Medical School; Scientists discover natural flu-fighting protein in human cells." Drug Week 2010. 1007. Web. 10 Sep 2010. Galileo. Lexis Nexis Academic. Retrieved at Georgia Southern University Henderson Library. <http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/>.
- ^ "Harvard Medical School; Scientists discover natural flu-fighting protein in human cells." Drug Week 2010. 1007. Web. 10 Sep 2010. Galileo. Lexis Nexis Academic. Retrieved at Georgia Southern University Henderson Library. <http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/>.
User page creation template[edit]
The purpose of the Wikipedia user page is to introduce yourself to the on-line community that is Wikipedia. A secondary, but important purpose, is to present yourself as a capable editor, writer, and researcher whose work should be taken seriously and not summarily deleted without a discussion.
Keep in mind that studies of Wikipedia show that your audience is international, mostly male, very verbal, and educated above the national norm for the United States, though many Wikipedia editors are self taught as opposed to degreed.
As you use this template, you should erase the template comments completely, including the subheads and invent clever text of your own that shows off your intelligence, humor, and creativity.
This section of your template should be a basic introduction. You should indicate that you are a college freshman. What you want to say about the university you attend (coastal Georgia, mid-size, party school) is a creative decision you must make. You should use this section to indicate any scholarships you've received and other significant honors you have won whether they are academic, athletic, musical, or community service awards. If you are proud of your grade point average in high school or college, you can mention that in this section. No grade point averages beneath 3.2 are worth mentioning in your college professor's humble opinion.
This section is also a good place to mention your serious interests, a major for instance or a hobby or a part-time job or the fact that you go fishing every weekend with your uncle Bob. This is also a good place for what is commonly known in on-line communities as "random facts about me." Keep in mind that random facts help you emerge as a real person with a writer's voice and one with whom your audience can identify.
Contributions to Wikipedia[edit]
This section should be a summary of the work you have done so far and what you plan on doing in the immediate future. "Keep working to improve my article on the U.S. National Tick Collection," for example. You should create internal links to articles that you have worked on in this section of your profile.
Relationship to technology[edit]
This section should tell people how you relate to technology, both generally and specifically. For instance, if you would rather write and receive a real, hand-written letter through the U.S. mail than to get a text message, you should tell people that about yourself in this section. This is also the section of the profile in which to tell people that you repel technology ("I've never sent an email prior to taking this class") or that you learn difficult computer languages like Fortran within five minutes flat.
This section should definitely tell people about any skills you have that are useful to the internet community. For instance, if you edit with a program called Twinkle or if you have written any editing programs that would be useful on Wikipedia, you should say that. You want to tell people, minimally, the programs you are proficient at (Microsoft Word 2007, Excel, QuarkXpress, Adobe Photoshop, etc.
As a matter of caution, please do not describe yourself as a technical whiz kid if you have been struggling to do simple coding on Wikipedia.
Philosophy of Wikipedia[edit]
This is a very open-ended category that allows you to express your feelings, attitude, ambivalence about Wikipedia as well as any more empirical criticisms or praise. For example, you might want to write about what you have used Wikipedia for in the past. (EXAMPLE: "I go to Wikipedia to look up information about my favorite TV shows and celebrities.") If you have heard criticisms of Wikipedia from your high school teachers or college professors, how do you respond to those criticisms? Do you agree (with most college profs) that Wikipedia is not a reliable source of information to cite in a traditional college term paper? Why or why not?
This is a good section, also, to make an honest evaluation of Wikipedia if you feel like it. Do you think the lack of (paid) professionals negatively affects the quality of writing and editing found on the site. Do you believe that people should have a minimum set of qualifications to write about, say, science, music, or history, and do you find that a lot of pages on Wikipedia on those subjects are written by hobbyists or people with few, if any, objective credentials in those areas?
Or do you love the fact that Wikipedia is open and democratic? Do you embrace the level playing field it offers?
Languages[edit]
In this category, you should explain in what languages you read, write, and speak. For many of you, this paragraph will identify you as a native speaker and writer of American English. If, however, you have any level of proficiency in other languages, you should say what they are and whether you'll be able to contribute to Wikipedia in those languages.
Whatever you like section[edit]
This is a section where you can do anything you like as long as it serves the purpose of conveying something about who you are. You can tell a story from your life. You can give a list of "random facts" about yourself. You can rant about the season your favorite team is having. You can post links to your favorite youtubes and say why you like them. Have fun!