ChIA-PET tool for comprehensive chromatin interaction analysis with paired-end tag sequencing

ChIA-PET Tool can be used to process long-range chromatin interaction data. Results are visualized on a user-friendly genome browser

The Global Hepatitis B Virus Genotype Distribution Approximated from Available Genotyping Data

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is divided into nine genotypes, A to I. Currently, it remains unclear how the individual genotypes contribute to the estimated 250 million chronic HBV infections. We performed a literature search on HBV genotyping data throughout the world. Over 900 publications were assessed and data were extracted from 213 records covering 125 countries. Using previously published HBV prevalence, and population data, we approximated the number of infections with each HBV genotype per country and the genotype distribution among global chronic HBV infections. We estimated that 96% of chronic HBV infections worldwide are caused by five of the nine genotypes: genotype C is most common (26%), followed by genotype D (22%), E (18%), A (17%) and B (14%). Genotypes F to I together cause less than 2% of global chronic HBV infections. Our work provides an up-to-date analysis of global HBV genotyping data and an initial approach to estimate how genotypes contribute to the global burden of chronic HBV infection. Results highlight the need to provide HBV cell culture and animal models that cover at least genotypes A to E and represent the vast majority of global HBV infections to test novel treatment strategies

Recent ichthyofauna in the wetlands along the Bulgarian section of the Danube

Six wetlands along the Bulgarian Danube stretch were studied in 2009 and 2010. Totally 30 fish species were founded, 10 of them are of conservation significance. The highest species richness was recorded in the Srebarna Lake and the lowest one – in the Garvan marshes. Recently the commercial fishing in the wetlands has lost itseconomical significance because of the dramatic decline of fish stocks and degradation of fish communities. The volume of the permanent water bodies, the flooding regime and the regular connection with the river are the factors determining either the state or succession of the fish communities