Project description:Working with primary human myogenic progenitors (hMPs), we developed a high-content screen to discover molecules that enhanced myogenic function and identified NAM and PN as modulators of myogenic proliferation and differentiation. We characterized genome-wide expression profiles of NAM-, PN-treated and NAM/PN-treated hMPs with the goal to uncover the mechanisms of action of NAM and PN and the potential additivity from the combination at the molecular level in hMPs.
Project description:BackgroundJapanese encephalitis (JE) is a flaviviral disease of public health concern in many parts of Asia. JE often occurs in large epidemics, has a high case-fatality ratio and, among survivors, frequently causes persistent neurological sequelae and mental disabilities. In 1997, the Vietnamese government initiated immunization campaigns targeting all children aged 1-5 years. Three doses of a locally-produced, mouse brain-derived, inactivated JE vaccine (MBV) were given. This study aims at evaluating the effectiveness of Viet Nam's MBV.MethodologyA matched case-control study was conducted in Northern Viet Nam. Cases were identified through an ongoing hospital-based surveillance. Each case was matched to four healthy controls for age, gender, and neighborhood. The vaccination history was ascertained through JE immunization logbooks maintained at local health centers.Principal findingsThirty cases and 120 controls were enrolled. The effectiveness of the JE vaccine was 92.9% [95% CI: 66.6-98.5]. Confounding effects of other risk variables were not observed.ConclusionsOur results strongly suggest that the locally-produced JE-MBV given to 1-5 years old Vietnamese children was efficacious.