Influenza : Current Research

Influenza viruses are important pathogens responsible for flu epidemics and pandemics. The socio-economic impact of seasonal flu is very significant and the rapid rate of virus evolution necessitates the development of new vaccines every year. Another major challenge is the emergence of novel strains that are highly pathogenic for humans. Examples include H7N9 and H5N1 (emerged from birds) which have mortality rates of up to 30% and 60%, respectively. Research is underway to develop of a universal flu vaccine that would provide long-lasting protection and be effective against emergent strains. Following on from their highly-acclaimed 2010 book, Drs. Wang and Tao present a new, up-to-date and comprehensive review of current advancements in molecular influenza virology. Topics covered include: stem-specific broadly neutralizing antibodies to the virus hemagglutinin; virus replication and transcription; influenza B virus hemagglutinin; influenza A virus ribonucleoprotein complex; regulation of the virus replication machinery by host factors; evolution of receptor specificity of influenza A virus hemagglutinin: PB1-F2, a multi-functional non-structural influenza A virus protein; and avian influenza H7N9 virus. Highly informative and well referenced, this book is essential reading for all influenza specialists and is recommended reading for all virologists, immunologists, molecular biologists, public health scientists and research scientists in pharmaceutical companies.

In this rich compilation, Emeka Nwosu takes the reader to a journey of the issues that have helped to shape discourses on various aspects of the Nigerian state and society. The articles, originally published in his weekly column in the premier Nigerian daily newspaper, ThisDay, not only show his perspectives on these issues when they were written but also reveal how discussions on some of those issues have evolved over time and how they have mutated today.

Journalists, especially those who maintain regular columns, are often said to write 'history in a hurry'. For experienced writers like the author whose writings are research-based, it does not mean that what they write about is factually wrong but simply that their writings are infused with the passions and emotions that attended those issues as they unfolded.

This collection is therefore not only informed commentaries on some of the issues that have shaped the contour of the Nigerian state and society over the years but a good trip on the passions and emotions that attended those discourses. The articles, 66 of them, are written with remarkable candour and gusto and therefore a delight to read. They form a very important contribution to the corpus of works on Nigerian politics and society.