Pain reliever shows anti-viral activity against flu

Friday, March 22, 2013

The over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug naproxen may also exhibit antiviral activity against influenza A virus, according to a team of French scientists. The finding, the result of a structure-based investigation, is published online ahead of print in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

New influenza vaccines must be developed annually, because the surface proteins they target mutate rapidly, the way cars used to get a whole new look every year. The researchers, led by Anny Slama-Schwok of the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Jouy en Josas, France, found a much more stable, reliable target for anti-influenza activity. The so-called ribonucleoprotein complexes are necessary for replication, and the researchers realized they could target the nucleoprotein, preventing assembly of the complexes. Because of its vital function, the nucleoprotein is highly conserved, making it a good potential target for antiviral drugs.

The nucleoprotein's three dimensional structure, solved in 2006, provided the basis for searching for new drugs that could interfere with its action. The researchers did a virtual screening within the Sigma-Aldrich online catalog of biochemicals. That screening identified Naproxen, better known as the over-the-counter pain reliever Aleve, and as expected, it bound to the nucleoprotein, and impeded RNA binding, says Slama-Schwok. In further testing, it reduced the viral load in cells infected with H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A virus, and in mice it demonstrated a therapeutic index against influenza A that was superior to that of any other anti-inflammatory drug.

Specifically, naproxen blocks the RNA binding groove of the nucleoprotein, preventing formation of the ribonucleoprotein complex, thus taking the vital nucleoproteins out of circulation. The researchers write that naproxen is a lead compound for drug development that could be improved by tweaking the molecule to boost its ability to bind to nucleoprotein.

As an already approved drug, naproxen could become a treatment against influenza relatively quickly, the researchers write. Its status as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which inhibits the COX-2 pathway, as well as an antiviral would boost its efficacy.

###

N. Lejal, B. Tarus, E. Bouguyon, S. Chenavas, N. Bertho, B. Delmas, R.W.H. Ruigrok, C. Di Primo, A. Slama-Schwok, 2013. Structure-based discovery of the novel antibviral properties of Naproxen against the nucleoprotein of influenza A virus. Antim. Agents Chemother. Online ahead of print 4 March 2013 ,doi:10.1128/AAC.02335-12

American Society for Microbiology: http://www.asm.org

Thanks to American Society for Microbiology for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

This press release has been viewed 67 time(s).

Source: http://www.labspaces.net/127405/Pain_reliever_shows_anti_viral_activity_against_flu

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Stocks end higher amid Cyprus deal

JeeYeon Park , CNBC ? ? ? 10 hrs.

Stocks closed higher Friday, rebounding from their biggest drop in nearly a month, as worries over Cyprus diminished and a batch of upbeat earnings reports were released.

Still, major averages finished in the red for the week. The Dow snapped a four-week win streak and the S&P 500 logged its second losing week this year.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 90.54 points, or 0.63 percent, to close at 14,512.03, lifted by Wal-Mart and Hewlett-Packard, but still finished lower for the week.

The blue-chip index is still on track for its biggest ever quarterly point gain.

The S&P 500 gained 11.09 points, or 0.72 percent, to finish at 1,556.89. The Nasdaq rose 22.40 points, or 0.70 percent, to end at 3,245.00.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, slid below 14.

For the week, the Dow slipped 0.01 percent, the S&P 500 dipped 0.24 percent, and the Nasdaq erased 0.13 percent. Cisco was the worst performer on the blue-chip index for the week, while Hewlett-Packard climbed.

For the week, materials led the key S&P sector laggards, while consumer staples rallied.

(Read More:Cramer Concerned, Says Buyers Pause)

"If the eleventh-hour solution doesn't manifest itself, then it will really get the market's attention because a precedent will be set and it will have implications for other struggling European countries," said Quincy Krosby, market strategist at Prudential Financial.

(Read More: Who Will Blink First? Europe or Cyprus)

Cyprus was close to a deal to raise billions of euros and unlock a bailout from the European Union that could avert a financial meltdown and its exit from the euro, its ruling party said.

The European Union issued the nation with an ultimatum to raise the 5.8 billion euros ($7.4 billion) necessary for a 10-billion euro bailout package by next Monday. The European Central Bank has said it will cut off liquidity to Cypriot banks without a deal. Cyprus' finance minister returned to Cyprus after two days of talks with Russian officials in Moscow but failed to deliver a deal to rescue the country.

Earlier, Cyprus agreed with Greece on a takeover of the Greek units of Cypriot banks, which ended uncertainty over the fate of those operations.

European shares trimmed their earlier losses to end flat.

(Read More: As World Watches Cyprus, Slovenia in Danger Zone)

Meanwhile, some strategists pointed to the Federal Reserve's ongoing easy monetary policy as the reason for higher stock prices.

"With the $85 billion a month that the Fed is pumping into the market, this market only has one way to go and that's up," said Alan Valdes, director of floor operations and VP of trading at DME Securities. "And that's going to trump whatever's going on in Europe."

(Read More: Keep the Presses Rolling: Fed Won't Stop Easing)

Apple climbed amid reports the tech giant will unveil the iPhone 5s and the iPad 5 on June 29, according to tech website Gizmorati, citing an inside source and confirmation from a third party. The date would mark the sixth anniversary of the introduction of the original iPhone.

BlackBerry dropped sharply as the company's new BlackBerry Z10 went on sale in the U.S. at AT&T stores to little fanfare.

Among earnings, Nike soared to lead the S&P 500 gainers after the sports apparel retailer reported quarterly earnings that easily topped estimates and said future demand for its clothing and shoes gained. At least six brokerages lifted their price target on the company.

Tiffany rallied after the upscale jeweler said it sees worldwide sales gaining 6 to 8 percent this fiscal year and posted a better-than-expected profit.

Micron Technology posted a quarterly net loss, but surged nearly 10 percent after the chipmaker said the outlook for memory chip prices is improving.

Meanwhile, Tibco plunged after the business software maker forecast current-quarter results below estimates, citing execution challenges in North America and the UK.

And Darden Restaurants posted quarterly results that largely matched Wall Street's recently lowered estimates as consumers shied away from restaurants amid the payroll tax hike and higher gasoline prices.

JPMorgan held gains after the financial giant's board endorsed Jamie Dimon to remain both chairman and CEO.

Blackstone Group and General Electric's lending arm have discussed jointly pursuing Dell's financial-services business, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The New York Times also reported that Blackstone was weighing whether to make an offer for all or part of Dell, saying that some people close to the private equity firm are skeptical that an offer would materialize.

Pepsi gained after the U.K. Telegraph reported that investor Nelson Peltz has taken a stake in the beverage maker and Mondelez International and may push for a merger. Separately, Pepsi is redesigning its 20-ounce bottle for the first time in nearly 17 years.

(Happy Friday!Watch: Bacon Tacos = Bacos)

?Follow CNBC's JeeYeon Park on Twitter: @JeeYeonParkCNBC.

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Happy Birthday, SJP! See Her Most Iconic Looks

The fashionista turns 48 on March 25! Look back at her trend-setting -- and most talked-about! -- sartorial turns

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/sarah-jessica-parker-iconic-looks/1-b-125489?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Asarah-jessica-parker-iconic-looks-125489

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Pain reliever shows anti-viral activity against flu

Friday, March 22, 2013

The over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug naproxen may also exhibit antiviral activity against influenza A virus, according to a team of French scientists. The finding, the result of a structure-based investigation, is published online ahead of print in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

New influenza vaccines must be developed annually, because the surface proteins they target mutate rapidly, the way cars used to get a whole new look every year. The researchers, led by Anny Slama-Schwok of the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Jouy en Josas, France, found a much more stable, reliable target for anti-influenza activity. The so-called ribonucleoprotein complexes are necessary for replication, and the researchers realized they could target the nucleoprotein, preventing assembly of the complexes. Because of its vital function, the nucleoprotein is highly conserved, making it a good potential target for antiviral drugs.

The nucleoprotein's three dimensional structure, solved in 2006, provided the basis for searching for new drugs that could interfere with its action. The researchers did a virtual screening within the Sigma-Aldrich online catalog of biochemicals. That screening identified Naproxen, better known as the over-the-counter pain reliever Aleve, and as expected, it bound to the nucleoprotein, and impeded RNA binding, says Slama-Schwok. In further testing, it reduced the viral load in cells infected with H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A virus, and in mice it demonstrated a therapeutic index against influenza A that was superior to that of any other anti-inflammatory drug.

Specifically, naproxen blocks the RNA binding groove of the nucleoprotein, preventing formation of the ribonucleoprotein complex, thus taking the vital nucleoproteins out of circulation. The researchers write that naproxen is a lead compound for drug development that could be improved by tweaking the molecule to boost its ability to bind to nucleoprotein.

As an already approved drug, naproxen could become a treatment against influenza relatively quickly, the researchers write. Its status as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which inhibits the COX-2 pathway, as well as an antiviral would boost its efficacy.

###

N. Lejal, B. Tarus, E. Bouguyon, S. Chenavas, N. Bertho, B. Delmas, R.W.H. Ruigrok, C. Di Primo, A. Slama-Schwok, 2013. Structure-based discovery of the novel antibviral properties of Naproxen against the nucleoprotein of influenza A virus. Antim. Agents Chemother. Online ahead of print 4 March 2013 ,doi:10.1128/AAC.02335-12

American Society for Microbiology: http://www.asm.org

Thanks to American Society for Microbiology for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

This press release has been viewed 32 time(s).

Source: http://www.labspaces.net/127405/Pain_reliever_shows_anti_viral_activity_against_flu

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Amazon CEO recovers Apollo engines from Atlantic

In this image provided by Bezos Expeditions, workers inspect a thrust chamber of an Apollo F-1 engine recovered from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean in March 2013. An expedition led by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos pulled up two rocket engines, including this one, that helped boost Apollo astronauts to the moon. Bezos and NASA announced the recovery on Wednesday, March 19, 2013. The sunken engines were part of the Saturn V rocket used to bring astronauts to the moon during the 1960s and 1970s. After liftoff, they fell into the ocean as planned. (AP Photo/Bezos Expeditions)

In this image provided by Bezos Expeditions, workers inspect a thrust chamber of an Apollo F-1 engine recovered from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean in March 2013. An expedition led by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos pulled up two rocket engines, including this one, that helped boost Apollo astronauts to the moon. Bezos and NASA announced the recovery on Wednesday, March 19, 2013. The sunken engines were part of the Saturn V rocket used to bring astronauts to the moon during the 1960s and 1970s. After liftoff, they fell into the ocean as planned. (AP Photo/Bezos Expeditions)

This image provided by Bezos Expeditions shows a thrust chamber of an Apollo F-1 engine on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean in March 2013. An expedition led by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos pulled up two rocket engines, including this one, that helped boost Apollo astronauts to the moon. Bezos and NASA announced the recovery on Wednesday, March 19, 2013. The sunken engines were part of the Saturn V rocket used to bring astronauts to the moon during the 1960s and 1970s. After liftoff, they fell into the ocean as planned. (AP Photo/Bezos Expeditions)

This image provided by Bezos Expeditions shows growths on a Saturn V rocket stage structure on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean in March 2013. An expedition led by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos pulled up two rocket engines that helped boost Apollo astronauts to the moon. Bezos and NASA announced the recovery on Wednesday, March 19, 2013. The sunken engines were part of the Saturn V rocket used to bring astronauts to the moon during the 1960s and 1970s. After liftoff, they fell into the ocean as planned. (AP Photo/Bezos Expeditions)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Rusted pieces of two Apollo-era rocket engines that helped boost astronauts to the moon have been fished out of the murky depths of the Atlantic, Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos and NASA said Wednesday.

A privately funded expedition led by Bezos raised the main engine parts during three weeks at sea and was headed back to Cape Canaveral, Fla., the launch pad for the manned lunar missions.

"We've seen an underwater wonderland ? an incredible sculpture garden of twisted F-1 engines that tells the story of a fiery and violent end," Bezos wrote in an online posting.

Last year, the Bezos team used sonar to spot the sunken engines resting nearly 3 miles deep in the Atlantic and 360 miles from Cape Canaveral. At the time, the Internet mogul said the artifacts were part of the Apollo 11 mission that gave the world "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Bezos now says it's unclear which Apollo mission the recovered engines belonged to because the serial numbers were missing or hard to read on the corroded pieces. NASA is helping trace the hardware's origin.

Apollo astronauts were launched aboard the mighty Saturn V rocket during the 1960s and 1970s. Each rocket had a cluster of five engines, which produced about 7 1/2 million pounds of thrust. After liftoff, the engines ? each weighing 18,000 pounds ? fell to the ocean as designed, with no plans to retrieve them.

Bezos and his team sent underwater robots to hoist the engines, which are NASA property. In a statement, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden called the recovery "a historic find."

Bezos plans to restore the engine parts, which included a nozzle, turbine, thrust chamber and heat exchanger. Amazon.com Inc. spokesman Drew Herdener declined Wednesday to reveal the cost of the recovery or restoration.

NASA has previously said an engine would head for the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. If a second was recovered, it would be displayed at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, where Amazon.com is based.

The ocean floor off Cape Canaveral is strewn with jettisoned rockets and flight parts from missions since the beginning of the Space Age. What survived after plunging into the ocean is unknown.

In one of the more famous recoveries, a private company in 1999 hoisted Gus Grissom's Mercury capsule that accidentally sank in the Atlantic after splashdown in 1961. The capsule is now featured at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center.

Besides running the online retailer, Bezos founded Blue Origins, one of the companies with a NASA contract to develop a spaceship to carry astronauts to the International Space Station.

In a previous posting, Bezos?said he was inspired by NASA as a child, and by recovering the engines "maybe we can inspire a few more youth to invent and explore."

___

Follow Alicia Chang at http://twitter.com/SciWriAlicia

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-03-20-Apollo%20Engines/id-e924106b2f334ef49f95c43b2674b7f5

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