Abstract: A method of detecting severe disease-associated mutations in an enterovirus 71 (EV-A71), comprising: performing an assay on a test sample containing an EV-A71 genomic RNA, a fragment thereof or an amplicon thereof, or an EV-A71 VP1 protein or fragment thereof to detect one or more severe disease-associated mutations in the EV-A71 genomic RNA, the fragment thereof or the amplicon thereof, or the EV-A71 protein or fragment thereof, wherein the one or more mutations are selected from mutations at positions corresponding to 5? UTR nucleotide positions C580, A707, and C709 in an EV-A71 5? UTR nucleic acid sequence and at residues corresponding to A280 and E145 in an EV-A71 VP1 protein sequence.

Abstract: An antimicrobial peptide, the peptide comprising 2 to 20 variable domains, each variable domain is a sequence of 2 to 20 consecutive basic amino acids, wherein (a) the variable domains are separated from each other by a variable linker, (b) the variable linker can have 1 to 20 any amino acids other than two or more consecutive basic amino acids, and (c) the peptide has no more than 100 amino acids.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising: (a) an isolated peptide, wherein the peptide includes three or four arginine-rich domains (ARDs) from the carboxy-terminal region of hepatitis B virus core protein (HBc) and exhibits an anti-microbial activity; and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising: (a) an isolated peptide, wherein the peptide includes three or four arginine-rich domains (ARDs) from the carboxy-terminal region of hepatitis B virus core protein (HBc) and exhibits an anti-microbial activity; and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: An antimicrobial peptide, the peptide comprising 2 to 20 variable domains, each variable domain is a sequence of 2 to 20 consecutive basic amino acids, wherein (a) the variable domains are separated from each other by a variable linker, (b) the variable linker can have 1 to 20 any amino acids other than two or more consecutive basic amino acids, and (c) the peptide has no more than 100 amino acids.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for use in killing and/or inhibiting the growth and/or proliferation of a microorganism in a subject in need thereof, or for treating a subject afflicted with a microbial infection is disclosed. The composition comprises: (a) an effective amount of an isolated peptide, wherein the peptide comprises the arginine-rich carboxy-terminal region of hepatitis B virus core protein (HBc) and exhibits an antimicrobial activity; and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The peptide exhibits an activity against Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and/or fungi.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for regulating hepatitis virus replication, involving a miR-130a RNA, a miR-130b RNA, a miR-204 RNA, a miR-1236 RNA, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for regulating hepatitis virus replication, involving a miR-130a RNA, a miR-130b RNA, a miR-204 RNA, a miR-1236 RNA, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods of regulating PGC1? and/or PGC1?, or treating diseases associated with PGC1? and/or PGC1? using a miR-130a RNA, miR-130b RNA, or a combination thereof, or using an antagomiR of miR-130a, an antagomiR of miR-130b, or both, which can be in the form of microRNA sponge or a locked nucleic acid (LNA).

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for use in killing and/or inhibiting the growth and/or proliferation of a microorganism in a subject in need thereof, or for treating a subject afflicted with a microbial infection is disclosed. The composition comprises: (a) an effective amount of an isolated peptide, wherein the peptide comprises the arginine-rich carboxy-terminal region of hepatitis B virus core protein (HBc) and exhibits an antimicrobial activity; and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The peptide exhibits an activity against Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and/or fungi.

Abstract: Trans-differentiation induced by dexamethasone with or without oncostatin M results in cells that are capable of propagating and replicating hepatitis virus. Such trans-differentiated cells are useful for screening drugs that may affect the propagation and replication of hepatitis virus such as hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition of matter comprising a defective interfering virus particle, wherein said particle naturally occurs in a human infection and wherein said particles has a naturally occurring core antigen internal deletion. Provided is a pharmaceutical composition, comprising defective interfering virus particle and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Provided is a method for preparing defective interfering virus, comprising the steps of: (1) introduce a defective interfering virus and a complementing plasmid expressing a wild type virus core antigen and optionally containing a drug resistance gene, into a recipient cell; (2) selecting for stably transfected colonies; (3) growing the drug resistant cells and screening for the production of virus DNA replication; and (4) collecting defective interfering virus particles from the medium. Further provided is a vaccine, comprising a defective interfering virus particle.

Abstract: Novel methods for stable in vitro propagation of human hepatitis virus using non-human hepatocytes are disclosed. Also discussed are novel systems for efficient expression and secretion of foreign genes employing particular rat hepatoma cells.