Proteomic and Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Alterations in Boar X and Y Sperm.

Sex-controlled sperm combined with artificial insemination allows animals to reproduce offspring according to the desired sex, accelerates the process of animal genetics and breeding and promotes the development of animal husbandry. However, the molecular markers for sexual sperm sorting are unusual. To identify the molecular markers of boar sperm sorting, proteomics and metabolomics techniques were applied to analyze the differences in proteins and metabolism between X and Y sperm.

BRM-SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex enables functional telomeres by promoting co-expression of TRF2 and TRF1.

TRF2 and TRF1 are a key component in shelterin complex that associates with telomeric DNA and protects chromosome ends. BRM is a core ATPase subunit of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. Whether and how BRM-SWI/SNF complex is engaged in chromatin end protection by telomeres is unknown.

RBMX is required for activation of ATR on repetitive DNAs to maintain genome stability.

ATR is a master regulator of cell response to replication stress. Adequate activation of ATR is essential for preventing genome aberrance induced by replication defect. However, the mechanism underlying ATR activation is not fully understood.

TERC promotes cellular inflammatory response independent of telomerase.

TERC is an RNA component of telomerase. However, TERC is also ubiquitously expressed in most human terminally differentiated cells, which don't have telomerase activity. The function of TERC in these cells is largely unknown.

Defining Kinetic Properties of HIV-Specific CD8⁺ T-Cell Responses in Acute Infection.

Multiple lines of evidence indicate that CD8 + T cells are important in the control of HIV-1 (HIV) replication. However, CD8 + T cells induced by natural infection cannot eliminate the virus or reduce viral loads to acceptably low levels in most infected individuals. Understanding the basic quantitative features of CD8 + T-cell responses induced during HIV infection may therefore inform us about the limits that HIV vaccines, which aim to induce protective CD8 + T-cell responses, must exceed.

Kinetics of HIV-Specific CTL Responses Plays a Minimal Role in Determining HIV Escape Dynamics.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) have been suggested to play an important role in controlling human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1 or simply HIV) infection. HIV, due to its high mutation rate, can evade recognition of T cell responses by generating escape variants that cannot be recognized by HIV-specific CTLs. Although HIV escape from CTL responses has been well documented, factors contributing to the timing and the rate of viral escape from T cells have not been fully elucidated.

Simple mathematical models do not accurately predict early SIV dynamics.

Upon infection of a new host, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replicates in the mucosal tissues and is generally undetectable in circulation for 1-2 weeks post-infection. Several interventions against HIV including vaccines and antiretroviral prophylaxis target virus replication at this earliest stage of infection. Mathematical models have been used to understand how HIV spreads from mucosal tissues systemically and what impact vaccination and/or antiretroviral prophylaxis has on viral eradication.

Evolution of host resistance to parasite infection in the snail-schistosome-human system.

The evolutionary strategies that emerge within populations can be dictated by numerous factors, including interactions with other species. In this paper, we explore the consequences of such a scenario using a host-parasite system of human concern. By analyzing the dynamical behaviors of a mathematical model we investigate the evolutionary outcomes resulting from interactions between Schistosoma mansoni and its snail and human hosts.

Modeling the effects of vaccination and treatment on pandemic influenza.

In this paper, we demonstrate the uses of some simple mathematical models for the study of disease dynamics in a pandemic situation with a focus on influenza. These models are employed to evaluate the effectiveness of various control programs via vaccination and antiviral treatment. We use susceptible-, infectious-, recovered-type epidemic models consisting of ordinary differential equations.

Timely identification of optimal control strategies for emerging infectious diseases.

Background: Health authorities must rely on quarantine, isolation, and other non-pharmaceutical interventions to contain outbreaks of newly emerging human diseases.

Methods: We modeled a generic disease caused by a pathogen apparently transmitted by close interpersonal contact, but about which little else is known. In our model, people may be infectious while incubating or during their prodrome or acute illness.