BioScience Trends International Research and Cooperation Association for Bio & Socio-Sciences Advancement University Hall (Lee Kong Chian Wing), National University of Singapore, Singapore ISSN 1881-7815 Online ISSN 1881-7823 Volume 3, Number 4, August 2009 www.biosciencetrends.com BioScience Trends Editorial and Head Office Tel: 03-5840-8764, Fax: 03-5840-8765 TSUIN-IKIZAKA 410, 2-17-5 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, E-mail:
[email protected] Tokyo 113-0033, Japan URL: www.biosciencetrends.com BioScience Trends is a peer-reviewed international journal published bimonthly by International Research and Cooperation Association for Bio & Socio-Sciences Advancement (IRCA-BSSA). BioScience Trends publishes original research articles that are judged to make a novel and important contribution to the understanding of any fields of life science, clinical research, public health, medical care system, and social science. In addition to Original Articles, BioScience Trends also publishes Brief Reports, Case Reports, Reviews, Policy Forum, News, and Commentary to encourage cooperation and networking among researchers, doctors, and students. Subject Coverage: Life science (including Biochemistry and Molecular biology), Clinical research, Public health, Medical care system, and Social science. Language: English Issues/Year: 6 Published by: IRCA-BSSA ISSN: 1881-7815 (Online ISSN 1881-7823) Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief: Masatoshi MAKUUCHI (Japanese Red Cross Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan) Co-Editors-in-Chief: Xue-Tao CAO (The Second Military Medical University,