济南较好的治疗前列腺炎医院(济南阴茎的冠状沟) (今日更新中)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- A new study examining weather patterns around the worldwide pandemics of influenza, which caused widespread death and illness in 1918, 1957, 1968 and 2009, finds that each of them was preceded by La Nina conditions in the equatorial Pacific. The study findings are published online Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.The study's authors -- Jeffrey Shaman of Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and Marc Lipsitch of the Harvard School of Public Health -- note that the La Nina pattern is known to alter the migratory patterns of birds, which are thought to be a primary reservoir of human influenza. The scientists theorize that altered migration patterns promote the development of dangerous new strains of influenza.To examine the relationship between weather patterns and influenza pandemics, the researchers studied records of ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific in the fall and winter before the four most recent flu pandemics emerged. They found that all four pandemics were preceded by below-normal sea surface temperatures -- consistent with the La Nina phase of the El Nino- Southern Oscillation.The authors cite other research showing that the La Nina pattern alters the migration, stopover time, fitness and interspecies mixing of migratory birds. These conditions could favor the kind of gene swapping or genetic reassortment that creates novel and therefore potentially more variations of the influenza virus."We know that pandemics arise from dramatic changes in the influenza genome. Our hypothesis is that La Nina sets the stage for these changes by reshuffling the mixing patterns of migratory birds, which are a major reservoir for influenza," says Shaman.Changes in migration not only alter the pattern of contact among bird species, they could also change the ways that birds come into contact with domestic animals like pigs. Gene-swapping between avian and pig influenza viruses was a factor in the 2009 swine flu pandemic.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. researchers have corrected sickle cell disease in adult laboratory mice that had been bred to have the inherited blood disorder by activating production of a special blood component, according to a study published online Thursday in the journal Science.Sickle cell disease results from an abnormality in hemoglobin, the protein found in red blood cells that is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. People living with sickle cell disease have two copies of an altered gene that produces sickle hemoglobin instead of normal adult hemoglobin. Sickle hemoglobin changes shape after releasing its oxygen, causing the red blood cell to become stiff, misshapen and sticky, and slowing blood flow to tissues. This process damages organs and causes pain.The study tested a new approach to increasing the production of a third form of hemoglobin -- fetal hemoglobin. Production of fetal hemoglobin predominates before birth, but turns off thereafter as adult hemoglobin production takes over. People with sickle cell disease are unable to make normal adult hemoglobin, and instead make sickle hemoglobin starting in infancy.An elevated level of fetal hemoglobin within the red blood cell reduces the tendency of sickle hemoglobin to change the shape of red blood cells. Considerable research has shown that the drug hydroxyurea increases production of fetal hemoglobin and reduces the number of pain crises and other complications of sickle cell disease in adults and children. However, not all patients respond well to hydroxyurea, and adverse side effects are a concern.The current study explores a more targeted approach to increasing fetal hemoglobin production. It builds upon earlier studies that discovered a protein called BCL11A normally suppresses the production of fetal hemoglobin soon after birth. The researchers viewed the BCL11A protein as a target for therapy and decided to see what would happen if they blocked production of the protein.The paper details how the research team silenced the mouse gene that produces the BCL11A protein in mice with sickle cell disease. Silencing the gene turned off production of the BCL11A protein and allowed the adult mice to continue to produce fetal hemoglobin. It appears to have eliminated disease symptoms without affecting other aspects of blood production."This discovery provides an important new target for future therapies in people with sickle cell disease," said Susan Shurin, acting director of the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, which co-funded the study. "More work is needed before it will be possible to test such therapies in people, but this study demonstrates that the approach works in principle."Approximately 100,000 Americans live with sickle cell disease. It is most prevalent in people of African, Hispanic, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern descent. There is no widely available cure for sickle cell disease. Bone marrow transplants have cured some patients, but the treatment is not without risk and most patients do not have relatives who can donate compatible and healthy bone marrow to them.

HANOI, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) organized a workshop here on Friday to finalize implementations in Phase 2 of the UN-Vietnam Joint Program to fight against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) during 2007-2011.The workshop is not only to review the achievements but also from that, Vietnam hopes to receive more supports from the UN agencies, said Bui Ba Bong, Vietnamese vice minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.According to the report, so far, Vietnam's project on prevention of HPAI has basically achieved the targets in terms of making plans, policies and strategies for the veterinary sector, assessing the impacts of destruction of poultry to the environment, controlling pandemic, and supporting vaccine inoculation, quarantine and control of the infected animals, said Bong.Vietnam showed great efforts in responding and preventing H5N1 pandemic during its occurrence in 2005-2006, evaluated UN agencies.In Phase 2, Vietnam achieved positive results in controlling and reducing the impacts of the pandemic, and promoting bio- security in livestock breeding. Therefore, UN pledged to continue assisting Vietnam in the future.The UN-Vietnam joint program to fight HPAI was designed to meet the needs of emergency assistance to control the avian and human influenza.Total fund of the program is 25 million U.S. dollars, of which over 18 million U.S. dollars was approved for Phase 2.

CAPE TOWN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The research vessel SA Agulhas has set off from Cape Town on a 10-day polar tour intended to promote dialogue on climate change, authorities confirmed on Sunday.The trip was designed to mark the 17th Climate Conference of the Parties (COP17) to be held in Durban later this month, according to the Department of Environmental Affairs.The voyage, which set off Saturday noon with scientists, academics, students and journalists aboard, would host exhibitions, symposiums and lectures from climate change scientists on the work of the polar research vessel, spokesman Zolile Nqayi said in a statement.The exhibitions and lectures would also highlight the various scientific activities undertaken by the department and its partners in Antarctica and the Southern Oceans, according to the South African Press Association (SAPA).Apart from her research and supply work, the Agulhus also helped to rescue the Magdalena Oldendorff, which became stuck in thick ice in June 2002.In December the SA Agulhas would make its final voyage to Antarctica before retirement.The Agulhas, which has been in service for 33 years, would be replaced by a new vessel under construction in Finland."She served us very well," said Dr Monde Mayekiso, deputy director general of oceans and coasts."The new vessel will have enhanced technologies and capabilities to further understand the ocean environment and to bring that understanding to an increasing number of South Africans, " he said.

BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 200,000 local residents and tourists visited parks in Beijing on Monday as a series of celebrations were hosted to mark the first day of the Chinese lunar New Year, the city's park administration said.Festive activities kicked off at Beijing's famous parks, including the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and the Beihai Park, on Monday to welcome the Year of the Dragon, said Chen Zhiqiang, spokesman for the Beijing Municipal Administration Center of Parks.At the Temple of Heaven, 320 costumed performers on Monday staged a show presenting the royal heaven worship ceremony in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).In the one-hour ceremony, thousands of visitors watched as the royal parade marched toward the altar where the "emperor" held a ritual to pray for peace and good harvest in the coming year.At the Summer Palace, the ancient royal garden, a traditional fair opened to public with old-fashioned shops and stands selling items and snacks popular in the old days.The Chinese New Year, which begins on Monday this year, is an important occasion for family dinners, fireworks, and a trip to temple fairs.To cope with the increase in visitors, authorities in Beijing said they have deployed seven police choppers and 910,000 order-maintaining personnel across the city to prevent the breakout of fires and stampedes.

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