Cathepsin L is required for ecotropic murine leukemia virus infection in NIH3T3 cells.

Recently it has been reported that a cathepsin B inhibitor, CA-074Me, attenuates ecotropic murine leukemia virus (Eco-MLV) infection in NIH3T3 cells, suggesting that cathepsin B is required for the Eco-MLV infection. However, cathepsin B activity was negative or extremely low in NIH3T3 cells. How did CA-074Me attenuate the Eco-MLV infection? The CA-074Me treatment of NIH3T3 cells inhibited cathepsin L activity, and a cathepsin L specific inhibitor, CLIK148, attenuated the Eco-MLV vector infection.

Usefulness of highly active antiretroviral therapy on health-related quality of life of adult recipients in Tanzania.

This study assessed health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) recipients aged 18 or older and associated factors, 2 years after HAART administration had started in Kagera, Tanzania. Using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), 329 HAART recipients were interviewed in May 2007. Questions on sociodemographic characteristics, chronic diseases (besides HIV/AIDS), HAART side effects and adherence to antiretroviral drugs were added.

Evaluation by villagers of the malaria control project on Lombok and Sumbawa Islands, west Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia.

The cooperative malaria control project between Indonesian and Japanese institutions was conducted from 2001 to 2004 at small malaria endemic foci on Lombok and Sumbawa Islands. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of the project according to the opinions of the villagers. We conducted a KAP survey of a simple random sample of 300 householders on each island.

Combating HIV/AIDS in Mainland China: an epidemiological review of prevention and control measures.

Two decades have already passed since the first HIV/AIDS case was described in 1981. Cumulatively, over 20 million people have unfortunately lost their lives, and more than 40 million people are now living with HIV, and most of them are from developing countries. China, as the biggest developing country, has an impact on the epidemic of HIV/AIDS.

Effects of a school-based education program for schistosomiasis control.

The role and effect of school-based education for schistosomiasis control needs to be explored further to raise the standard of health in the widely infected areas over the world. This study investigated the effect, particularly the retention or duration of effect, of a school education program for schistosomiasis control. The study was conducted from September 2000 to February 2001 in a district of Mount Darwin, Zimbabwe.

A deficient public health system as a contributing cause of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in mainland China.

SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is a newly emerging infectious disease which spread over 32 countries and areas, infected more than 8,000 people and causing more than 900 deaths from November 2002 to August 2003. More than 90% of the SARS cases and death were reported from China. Nevertheless, we still know little about this disease, particularly in etiology.

Comparison of four health systems: Cuba, China, Japan and the USA, an approach to reality.

The ultimate responsibility for the overall performance of a country's health system lies with government, which in turn should involve all sectors of society in its stewardship. A comparison in structure, financing and function of the health systems of Japan, the USA, Cuba and China, as well as their main health and social-demographic results, is shown here. Two clear examples of inequalities, between regions in China and between ethnic and social groups in the USA, let us see different health indicators of both countries.