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The Creators of the Award-Winning Anti-Virus Program Have Just Released a Version of VIRUSfighter Compatible with Windows Vista

BOCA RATON, Fla. — SPAMfighter ApS has recently released a new version of the anti-virus program VIRUSfighter with the same capabilities but now compatible with Windows Vista operating system in order to give users the best anti-virus program for their Vista-based PCs. VIRUSfighter offers a free 30-day trial for all computer systems and now also a special version exclusive for Windows Vista. To protect and secure your information, download the new free version of VIRUSfighter at http://www.spamfighter.com/VIRUSfighter.

"We believe that computer security is very important, and want to make sure we offer our products for the latest forms of technology so everyone can be protected. Computer viruses and malware are not going anywhere, anytime soon, so it is extra important people keep themselves protected from the new risks out there," comments co-founder Martin Thorborg.

VIRUSfighter is an anti-virus program that runs discreetly in the background in conjunction with a user’s firewall. VIRUSfighter works by scanning files for any viruses or malicious software. As soon as a new outbreak occurs, VIRUSfighter releases an antidote giving users protection against the latest threats.

"Anti-virus is the second biggest security technology used after firewalls and viruses represent the highest and most dangerous type of computer attack detected at the PC level, which only assures the need to have a product like VIRUSfighter ready to interact in any Windows operating system either at the consumer or business level," said Alix Aranza, Managing Director for SPAMfighter North America.

About SPAMfighter

SPAMfighter is Europe’s leading spam filter developer. The Danish company is owned by the founders of Jubii.dk, Henrik Sorensen and Martin Thorborg, together with two programmers, Daniel Hjortholt and Martin Dyring. SPAMfighter employs 35 people and is based in Copenhagen. SPAMfighter North America is based in Boca Raton, Florida and is headed by Alix Aranza.

SPAMfighter is debt-free and is 100 percent financed by income from the sale of the SPAMfighter client. Each day, SPAMfighter removes around 12 million spam messages from 14 million tested emails received by over 3.6 million users in 216 countries/regions.

SPAMfighter draws its power from the fact that over 3.6 million users report spam as they receive it, with a single click. Once several users have reported the same spam message, it is automatically filtered for all other users. The result is that approximately 90 percent of all spam is filtered out before it reaches any given user. Get more information about SPAMfighter here: www.spamfighter.com

For more information, contact Martin Thorborg, info@spamfighter.com SPAMfighter ApS, Nattergalevej 6, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark. Phone: +45 7022 1551 - Fax (Europe): +45 3323 0376 or Alix Aranza, Phone (USA) +1 (561) 962-4166 - Fax (USA) +1 (561) 962-4266 uspartners@spamfighter.com

COPYRIGHT 2007 Business Wire
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

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Control of costly, destructive red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta, may be a little bit closer.

That’s because cooperators are being sought to further develop and license a patented technology that relies on an ant-infecting virus called Solenopsis invicta virus-l, or SINV-I. Though still in its early research stages, SINV-1 is the first confirmed virus to be recovered from S. invicta and, in the lab, has proved to be both self-sustaining and transmissible.

Studies have shown that SINV-1 can eliminate a red imported fire ant colony within about 3 months of its introduction. So it seems to have potential for mass cultivation into a viable biopesticide product for controlling this damaging nuisance insect–especially if incorporated into an attractant bait. Steven M. Valles, Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, USDA-ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida; phone (352) 374-5834, e-mail steven.valles@ars.usda.gov.

COPYRIGHT 2007 U.S. Government Printing Office
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (ENS) —
–>

State Health Secretary Dr. Calvin Johnson today reported this year’s first confirmed human case of West Nile virus in Pennsylvania. The 56 year old Clearfield County man is recovering and has been discharged from the hospital.

Across the country so far this year, seven people were not so fortunate. Four people in California have died, there has been one death in Alabama, one in Mississippi, and one in South Dakota. In total, 185 people in 22 states have been treated for West Nile Virus infections this year.

“Every case of human infection from West Nile is a reminder that we can take precautions to help reduce the risk of illness,” Dr. Johnson said.

Since it was first identified in Pennsylvania in 2000, West Nile virus has been found in all areas of the state and has returned each summer.

West Nile virus is spread …

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American, Swiss, and Australian researchers have identified two human antibodies that are effective in neutralizing different strains of the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), according to a July 2, 2007, article from HealthDay News. This finding is significant for the process of developing treatment medications as well as vaccines to protect patients against this potentially fatal virus.

The SARS coronavirus lie, SARS-CoV) was responsible for a worldwide epidemic in late 2002 and early 2003, and it was fatal for approximately 10% of the 8,000 people infected. Another, smatter outbreak occurred in the winter of 2003/2004, during which only four individuals were infected. The virus is transmitted from animals to humans, making future outbreaks stilt possible.

The two antibodies were discovered in the blood of human patients. One antibody lie, $230.15) came from a patient who recovered from SARS. The other, (ie, m396) was found in a library of human antibodies derived from the blood of 10 healthy volunteers. Both of these antibodies affect a binding protein on the surface of the virus and thus may prove effective in the prevention and treatment of SARS infection.

Gardner A. Scientists spot antibodies that could fight SARS. HealthDay. July 2, 2007. http://www.healthday.com/Article .asp?AID=606121. Accessed July 3, 2007.

COPYRIGHT 2007 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

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Sir,

The HIV epidemic in India is at once complex and challenging, with nearly 40 per cent monogamous women among the new cases1-3. There is a need to change behaviour of the affected persons as well as to improve their access4. The Counseling Training Manual of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) spells out the guidelines but in reality, counselling remains perfunctory5. Not much efforts seem to be directed towards promoting effective counselling services.

ASHA Foundation, in Bangalore, a registered Charitable Trust working in the field of HIV/AIDS, carried out an in depth study to identify the major counselling needs of all subjects coming for voluntary pre-test counselling during January to October, 2004, and their relationship to basic socio-economic and sexual background. The study also determined the methodology and skills needed to counsel effectively. A total of 133 men and 71 women were studied (ages 17-65 yr, with a majority (55%) in the age group 25-34 yr. The purpose of the study was explained to these individuals, and informed consent obtained.

An interview guide was developed with open and closed type of questions to record the subjects knowledge of HIV/AIDS and of the laboratory tests, past and present risk activity, and basic details of the counselee and his/her family to determine existing support systems. The counselling sessions were held in a quiet, confidential atmosphere by two well trained and experienced women counsellors on a one-to- one basis, each session lasting about an hour. Depending on the subject’s emotional and cognitive status, the questions were asked and appropriate counselling given. They were encouraged to come back for post-test counselling and follow up sessions. The reliability and validity of the responses were confirmed by including repeat questions and having both counsellors in some of the sessions and comparing their independent assessments. Chi-square and z-test were used to test statistical significances of differences observed in terms of gender, age and marital status of the subjects.

Fifty three (74.6%) women and 76 (58.6%) men were currently married. Only two of 71 (2.8%) women as compared to 51 of 133 (38.3%) men were unmarried. In terms of educational background 78.3 per cent of men and 54.7 per cent of women had high school education or more. Single persons were generally more educated than the married. More women (31%) as compared to men (16.6%) were illiterate or studied only up to primary school. Most women (62%) were housewives. Nearly 50 per cent of men were in professional or managerial jobs and 15 per cent of men were in unskilled labour.

Of the 133 men, 47 (35.3%) had multiple partners and the average number of sexual encounters with spouse was 2-3 times a week. The sexual partners of women were mainly their husbands, though 15.5 per cent of women gave history of sex with other male partners. Age at first sexual contact for men was between 26-30 yr and for the women, it was 15-18 yr; 83.4 per cent of the men and 90.2 per cent of women gave a history of sexual encounter between 3 months to one year earlier. Risk factors other than sexual involvement mentioned were alcohol, substance abuse in the men (22.6%) and a HIV positive spouse in the female (67.6%).

A total of 96 (72.3%) males and 63 (88.7%) females had very little knowledge about HIV/AIDS, the difference was statistically significant (P

The counseling needs in order of priority were: (i) knowledge on HIV/AIDS in terms of transmission, testing and progression of disease; (H) coping with feelings of guilt and shame, maintaining self-esteem; (iii) retaining/strengthening family ties, social circles; (iv) handling issues of medical complications, longevity; (v) decisions on marriage and children; and (vi) handling depression and suicidal ideation.

Invariably, all clients were anxious about the results of the test, and were apprehensive in case the test was confirmed positive. Their fears were largely about their own future health and that of the family and their longevity. The unmarried males were concerned about marriage and family life, and inability to cope with the disease, loneliness and discrimination. The married men felt very guilty and were concerned about revealing the truth to spouse and family thereby jeopardizing trust and dignity, as well as transmission of infection to wife and security of children. They were also worried about job security and premature death.

The concerns of women were somewhat similar, but they generally felt cheated, shocked, and expressed their inability to cope with future. For the single woman, obstacles to marriage and companionship, and for the married, the questions on well-being of their husbands and children, were major issues. Thus, the counselling needs varied according to the characteristics of the subjects, and classified by age, sex, marital and educational status as well as by their understanding of HTV/AIDS.

Suicidal ideation was expressed specifically by 7, 4 women and 3 men, all of them in the age group of 2534 yr. Analyses of these cases showed that most of them had prior HTV testing done without counselling and were informed as positive. The major skills required for effective counselling were: (i) adequate knowledge on HIV/AIDS and of its testing; (ii) ability to listen and infuse confidence in counsellee; (iii) ability to identify and understand critical personal issues to counsel; (iv) plan necessary interventions to strengthen family ties; and (v) build motivation to continue counselling.

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An 86-year-old San Joaquin County man recently died after contracting West Nile virus, according to public health officials.

He lives in the central part of the county, but health officials would not say exactly where he lived and when he died.

The man became infected with the most serious form of the virus, West Nile neuroinvasive disease, whose risk is highest in people over the age of 50 and in those who have problems with their immune systems, said Karen McConnell, the county’s spokeswoman.

The man is the first San Joaquin County resident to succumb to the illness this year, and the county’s second fatality since the virus was first detected here in 2004.

In California, there have been four deaths from West Nile- related illnesses this year (as compared to seven deaths last year). All of those who died from the virus this year were over the age of 65, said Ken August, a spokesman for the state’s Department of Public Health.

Vector control officials urged residents to be cautious.

“West Nile virus is very active,” said Aaron Devencenzi of the San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District. “We know the virus is up and down the state.”

And the warm summer weather has meant an increase in the number of mosquitoes, whose bite transmits the virus.

Many people who contract the virus will have no symptoms. About one in five who are infected will develop West Nile fever, whose symptoms include headache, fever and fatigue. About one in 150 will develop West Nile neuroinvasive disease and experience symptoms such as neck stiffness, confusion, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, numbness and paralysis.

Its neurological effects can be permanent, according to a San Joaquin County press release.

The virus was first detected in California in 2002. Since then, a total of 58 people, including the San Joaquin County man, have died from the illness.

Ways to reduce the risk of West Nile Virus include:

-Applying insect repellent containing the active ingredient DEET or Picaridin.

-Not spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active — at dusk and at dawn.

-Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors.

-Eliminating all sources of standing water, even in the saucers of flower pots.

-Keeping mosquitoes outside with tight-fitting screens on doors and windows.

For more information, visit http://www.sjgov.org/oes/westnile/ westnile.htm.

To contact Cheryl Winkelman, call (209) 832-6144 or cwinkelman@angnewspapers.com.

c2007 ANG Newspapers. Cannot be used or repurposed without prior
written permission.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.

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To: MEDICAL EDITORS

Contact: Daniel Miller of Dept. of Health, +1-717-787-1783; or Ron
Ruman of DEP, +1-717-787-1323

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — State Health
Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson today reported this year’s first
confirmed human case of West Nile virus in Pennsylvania. The
individual, a 56-year-old Clearfield County man, is recovering and
has been discharged from the hospital.

"Every case of human infection from West Nile is a reminder that
we can take precautions to help reduce the risk of illness," Dr.
Johnson said. "The chance of contracting …

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Background & objectives: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) has been a serious public health problem in Bellary district since 1981. Though JE is a vector borne disease, no published record was available regarding prevalence of mosquito species in this region. A two years ecological study was therefore conducted to determine species composition, seasonal prevalence and relative abundance of culicid taxa, particularly JE vectors endemic to this area.

Methods: Three villages with recent JE out breaks, were selected for regular mosquito collections. During daytime, adult mosquitoes resting inside human and domestic animal habitations were collected using aspirators and flashlights at weekly intervals. Similarly, adult mosquitoes were collected from cattle sheds and pig enclosures at dusk hours.

Results : A total of 120113 mosquitoes collected at dusk belonged to 5 genera and 24 species, including 13 species those have already yielded JE virus in India with Cx. tritaeniorhynchus contributing to 70.3 per cent. General mosquito population showed bimodal pattern of peak occurrence during February and October in both the peaks, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus contributed maximum JE. Substantial densities of An. subpictus and An. peditaeniatus during JE season suggest the supportive role of these species. Other vector species viz., Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. pseudovishnui, Cx. vishnui, Cx. gelidus, Cx. fuscocephala, Cx. bitaeniorhynchus, Ma. annulifera, Ma. uniformis and An. barbirostris perhaps have a limited role in the transmission of JE virus due to their extremely poor density.

Interpretation & conclusion: Cx. tritaenorhynchus appears to have a major role in the transmission of JE virus in Bellary district. Risk of transmission of JEV to humans can be reduced by house spraying with residual insecticides and intermittent paddy irrigation.

Key words An. subpictus - Bellary district - Cx. tritaeniorhynchus - Japanese encephalitis - JE transmission period - JE vectors - paddy crops

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that induces fatal encephalitis in horses and humans, and is endemic in most Southeast and South Asian countries1-4. JE is now an emerging viral disease having international importance because it is invading the previously non-endemic areas. From Asia, it has stretched to Papua New Guinea and Torres Strait of northern Australia5,6. JE was first recognized in India in 1955 and since then major outbreaks from different parts of the country have been reported predominantly in rural areas. So far, incidence of JE has been reported from 15 States including Karnataka. During 2003-2004, JE cases were reported from Bhandara and Gondia districts of Maharashtra State for the first time (unpublished data). In 2005, one of the largest outbreaks of JE was reported from Gorakhpur and adjoining districts. More than 1380 children died of the disease and about 5800 were taken ill (www.thehindu.com). In India, children are mainly affected, with morbidity rate estimated at 0.30 to 1.5 per 1,00,000 population. Case fatality rate has ranged from 18 to 60 per cent, and upto 50 per cent of those who recover may be left with neurological deficits7. The earliest evidence of JE virus activity in Bellary district came in 1981. The first and major outbreak of JE was reported from Bellary and adjoining areas in 1986-1987 and affected more than 219 people, of which 61 died8. During 2001-2003, 189 cases with 8 deaths were reported, starting in September and continuing until January, with the highest occurrence in November. In view of regular occurrence of JE in Bellary district, a two year ecological study on mosquitoes, including JE vectors was carried out between 2001 and 2003 to determine species composition and seasonal prevalence.

Material & Methods

Study area: Bellary district is situated between 14° 30′ and 15° 50′ north latitude and 75° 40′ and 77° 11′ east longitude in Karnataka State. As per Bellary district statistics handbook 1998-99, the population of the district stood 16.56 lakhs with a density of 197 persons per square kilometer. Paddy is the major agricultural product, with two crops grown from January to April and from July to December. The main source of irrigation is Tungabhadra Dam. The climate of Bellary district is characterized by dryness in the major part of the year and hot summer.

Three villages viz., Kollegallu, Moka and Rupanguddi were selected for regular mosquito collections because they had JE cases during previous outbreaks. Weekly visits were made to each village and adult mosquitoes were collected from domestic animal habitations at dusk hours. Majority of animal shelters were closed type and made-up of stone blocks with wooden slab roofs. Similarly, adult mosquitoes were collected from inside houses including sitting rooms, bed rooms, store rooms, and kitchens with the help of mouth aspirators, aided by torch lights Most of the human dwellings were permanent/pucca houses. Outdoor resting habitats consisted of field grasses, cotton fields and Parthenium plants. All adult specimens were anesthetized and identified to species by using standard light microscopy and relevant taxonomic references9-13.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a brochure for transplant recipients, warning them of their increased risk of suffering the more severe repercussions of West Nile Virus, if infected. Because medicines taken by transplant recipients can make it hard to fight infections, those patients may develop the severe forms of WNV disease, including encephalitis, meningitis, and even death, more often than people with normal immune systems.

The brochure recommends that transplant patients and others protect against mosquito bites using the following measures: use protective clothing and effective insect repellents when heading outdoors, install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep insects out of the home, and empty standing water in birdbaths, flower pots, pool covers, etc.

COPYRIGHT 2007 Transplant Communications, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

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ABSTRACT White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) affects the penaeid shrimp culture industry, but the potential impact on the ornamental shrimp industry has not been studied. Therefore, experiments were conducted to determine the susceptibility of the ornamental peppermint shrimp Lysmata wurdemanni to WSSV. Litopenaeus vannamei, a cultured penaeid shrimp was used for comparison. Three experiments (two per os, one injection) were conducted. Adult shrimp were challenged in the first per os experiment, whereas juveniles were challenged in the remaining two experiments, in both per os challenges, shrimp (n = 15, 10) were fed WSSV infected L. vannamei tissue at 10% of their body weight. In the injection challenge, shrimp (n = 10) were injected with a [10.sup.-3] dilution of freshly prepared WSSV filtrate at 20 [micro]L/g of body weight. Shrimp were individually housed, maintained at 25[degrees]C, and checked daily for mortalities. PCR was used to determine whether challenged shrimp were infected with WSSV. In all three experiments, L. wurdemanni appeared more resistant to WSSV than L. vannamei (40%, 0% mortality versus 60%, 100% mortality, respectively, because of WSSV). Results indicate that adult L. wurdemanni appear somewhat susceptible to the virus, whereas the juveniles appear refractory to the virus (40% versus 0% mortality), however as the adults and juveniles were collected from different geographical areas, genetic variation cannot be discounted. Although there are no reports to date of a natural WSSV infection in Lysmata or other ornamental shrimp species, the finding that adult Lysmata are susceptible to WSSV has implications for the ornamental industry.

KEY WORDS: WSSV, peppermint shrimp, Lysmata wurdemanni, Litopenaeus vannamet

INTRODUCTION

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) is a large, double stranded DNA virus, recently assigned to the family Nimaviridae (Van Hulten et al. 2000). WSSV has seriously affected the food shrimp culture industry (Lightner 1999, Flegel 1997, Rosenberry 1998, Rosenberry 2003). Important cultured penaeid species such as Penaeus monodon, Fenneropenaeus chinensis, Fenneropenaeus indicus, Marsupenaeus japonicus, Litopenaeus stylirostris, and Litopenaeus vannamei have all been found to be susceptible to the virus (Inouye et al. 1994, Lo et al. 1996, Kasornchandra et al. 1998, Lightner et al. 1998, Nunan et al. 1997, Sudha et al. 1998, Wang et al. 1998, Zhan et al. 1998).

Although WSSV has been found to infect over 40 species of crustaceans, mortality varies among susceptible crustaceans (Lo et al. 1996, Flegel 1997, Chang et al. 1998, Supamattaya et al. 1998, Wang et al. 1998, Otta et al. 1999, Maeda et al. 2000, Hossain et al. 2001, Sahul Hameed et al. 2001). In addition to cultured penaeid shrimp, freshwater crayfish, such as Procambarus clarkii and Pacifastacus leniusculus, are adversely affected by WSSV (Chang et al. 1998, Wang et al. 1998, Jiravanichpaisal et al. 2001, Maeda et al. 2000). Freshwater prawn, such as Macrobrachium rosenbergii were found to be somewhat tolerant to the virus, but other species, such as M. idella and M. lamerrae were susceptible to the virus (Peng et al. 1998, Wang et al. 1998, Sahul Hameed et al. 2000). Likewise tolerance among crabs varies by species (Lo et al. 1996, Chang et al. 1998, Kanchanaphum et al. 1998, Supamattaya et al. 1998, Wang et al. 1998, Otta et al. 1999, Chen et al. 2000, Chang et al. 2001, Sahul Hameed et al. 2001). Lobsters are considered to be carriers only (Chang et al. 1998, Wang et al. 1998).

The marine ornamental trade involves a wide variety of crustacean species, both wild and cultured. Ornamental shrimp are popular crustaceans in the aquarium trade and research has been done to establish culture conditions for many species (Lin & Zhang 2001, Simones et al. 2002, Calado et al. 2003). The susceptibility of ornamental shrimp species to WSSV is currently unknown. The possibility of potential transfer of WSSV from susceptible crustaceans to ornamental shrimp and vice versa is a real possibility both in culture systems and the wild. The aim of the present study was to determine the susceptibility of an ornamental shrimp species, Lysmata wurdemanni, to WSSV.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experimental Animals

Lysmata wurdemanni used in the first per os challenge experiment (April 2002) were obtained from the company Ocean, Reefs, and Aquariums (ORA, Ft. Pierce, FL). These shrimp were 1 g adults, cultured from broodstock obtained from the Dominican Republic. Lysmata wurdemanni used in the second per os challenge and injection challenge experiments (July 2002) were obtained from Florida Tech (Melbourne, FL). These shrimp were juveniles (0.1-.2 g) cultured from broodstock obtained from north of Tampa Bay, FL. Litopenaeus vannamei used in the first per os challenge experiment were obtained from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc. (HBOI) and were approximately 1 g in weight. Litopenaeus vannamei used in the second per os challenge and injection challenge experiments (July 2002) were 0.1-0.2 g and were obtained from Indian River Aquaculture (Vero Beach, FL). Broodstock from which L. vannamei were obtained had been previously tested for the presence of WSSV, IHHNV, and TSV and found to be free of these viruses.

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