Objective To evaluate the quality of four domestic and three imported fourth-generation HIV diagnostic reagents.Methods The specificity and sensitivity of these assays were analyzed when testing HIV negative samples and HIV-1 RNA positive samples.The relative seroconversion sensitivity index was analyzed when testing BBI seroconversion panels.Results The sensitivity of seven 4th-generation assays were 100％ (95％ CI:99.86％-100％ ),and one sample at the window period of HIV-1 infection were detected as positive.Of the seven assays,one imported assay exhibited the relative largeδ + value (1.0892),and the small δ+ value were found on the remaining six assays (0.0836-0.3003 ).For the samples negative for HIV antibody,varying degrees of false positives were observed on the seven assays ( specificity:97.80％ -99.60％,δ- value:-1.3803 to -0.4778).When testing the BBI seroconversion panels,the relative seroconversion sensitivity index of domestic assays were -0.500-0,however,which of imported assays were -0.600 and -0.700.Conclusion The seven reagents exhibited high sensitivity and specificity.The 4th generation HIV assays can be used as blood screening reagents to find the samples at window period of HIV-1 infection,thus indicating the certain meaning in reducing the transmission risk of HIV-1 for fourth-generation HIV diagnostic reagents.However,the better efficiency to detect HIV-1 early infection was observed on the imported assays than on the domestic assays.

Objective To evaluate the differences between the third and the fourth generations of anti-HIV assays,and different kits within the same generation.Methods A total of 989 HIV-negative samples,185 samples positive for HIV-1 RNA.1st-generation international references of HIV antibodies and samples from 9 sets of BBI seroconversion panels were detected by 8 kits of the third generation and 4 kits of the fourth.Results The fourth generation kits can detect HIV infection earlier than the third generation kits.However,the detected days of HIV infection with different kits of the fourth generation were different whilst no significant difierences were found with difierent kits of the third generation.Furthermore,the capacity of detecting samples with different genotypes for different reagents was different,especially the capacity of domestic reagents on detecting HIV-1 O group and HIV-2 samples was relatively weak.Conclusion These data provided information to improve the quality of anti-HIV diagnostic reagents further.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of acupuncture-moxibustion on chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) and explore the methods of acupoint selection along meridian for transplanted-kidney-related diseases.

METHODSA total of 180 patients of CAN were randomized into a syndrome differentiation group, a spleen-meridian group, a kidney-meridian group and a control group, 45 cases in each one. A total of 33 cases dropped out before the end of the study, including 8 cases in the syndrome differentiation group, 12 cases in the spleen-meridian group, 13 cases in the kidney-meridian group and no case in the control group. Patients in the control group were treated with conventional western medicine; based on this, patients in other three groups were treated with acupuncture-moxibustion. In the syndrome differentiation group, Qihai (CV 6), Hegu (LI 4), Guanyuan (CV 4), Feishu (BL 13), Shenshu (BL 23), etc. were selected for qi deficiency of lung and kidney; Qihai (CV 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taixi (KI 3), Yinlingquan (SP 9), etc. were selected for deficiency of qi and yin; Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taixi (KI 3), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Ququan (LR 8), etc. were selected for yin deficiency of liver and kidney; Zhongji (CV 3), Guanyuan (CV 4), Mingmen (GV 4), Guanyuanshu (BL 26), etc. were selected for yang deficiency of spleen and kidney. In addition, Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Diji (SP 8), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Xuehai (SP 10), etc. were added in the spleen-meridian group; Taixi (KI 3), Zhaohai (KI 6), Fuliu (KI 7), Ciliao (BL 32), etc: were added in the kidney-meridian group. Serum creatinine (Scr), creatinine clearance (Ccr) and 24-hour urinary protein before and after the treatment were com- pared among the four groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, 24-hour urinary protein in the acupuncture-moxibustion groups and control group were all reduced (all P < 0.05); compared before treatment, the Scr in the spleen-meridian group was significantly reduced (P < 0.05); the difference of Ccr before and after treatment was insignificant in all the groups (all P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, 24-hour urinary protein in spleen-meridian group could relieve or recover the damage of transplant kidney induced by CAN. A new interlink may be established between the transplanted kidneys and the spleen meridians, indicating that transplanted kidney-related diseases can be treated by selecting acupoints of spleen meridian.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Allografts ; physiopathology ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; etiology ; therapy ; Transplantation, Homologous ; adverse effects

Objective To establish a high throughput phenotypic test for the detection of drug re-sistance in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)strains. Methods The gene encoding luciferase was in-activated through restriction enzyme digestion and ligation. LacZ gene was used to replace the genes encoding original protease and reverse transcriptase. pol genes were amplified from pSG3△env plasmid and cloned in-to a new backbone plasmid through infusion. The factors that might affect the results of the test were opti-mized. Results The parental backbone plasmid pNL4-3. Lac was constructed,of which the gene encoding luciferase was inactivated and bearing the LacZ gene instead of genes encoding protease and reverse tran-scriptase. Several influential factors including cell numbers(10 000 / well),virus inoculation(200 TCID50 /well)and the concentration of DEAE-dextran(15 μg/ ml)were optimized. The reproducibility of this test was confirmed by testing 12 anti-HIV drugs against 2 pseudovirus strains 8 times,presenting the coefficient of variations(CVs)from 4. 32% to 28. 46% . Six types of pseudovirus were constructed and tested against the 12 anti-HIV drugs,the results of which were compared with those by using the pSG3△env-based pseud-ovirus test. The results of the two tests presented good consistency. Conclusion The high throughput phe-notypic test based on pNL4-3. Lac plasmid,combining the advantages of pSG3△env and pNL4-3 systems, could be used to analyze the drug resistance patterns of HIV-1 infectors and screen new drugs for antiretrovi-ral therapy in a rapid and effective way.

Objective To study the in vivo expression and biodistribution of Ad5-Fluc (Adenovirus carrying firefly luciferase genes) in mice.Methods The recombinant Ad5-Fluc virus was constructed and infected to BALB/c or nude mice through three different routes.The protein expression level,tissue distribution and the characteristics of infection were analyzed by in vivo bioluminescence imaging technology.Results Compared to other two routes,the BALB/c mice infected through muscular route had the longest expression cycle (over 60 days) and the highest expression level,while the virus was transferred into the liver and spleen after infection.The nude mice had a significantly extended expression cycle than BALB/c mice.Moreover,the characteristic of liver tropism was eliminated after Ad5 F35 infection in mice,while maintained similar expression efficiency.Conclusion Due to the highest expression efficiency,the muscular route would be the optimal route for Ad5 vector based vaccination.In addition,Ad5F35 virus could become an ideal alternative vaccine vector for eliminating the liver tropism.

BACKGROUND: Security of organ donor attracts more attention, because donor complication and transplantation failure always occur following renal transplantation. Therefore, living-related kidney transplantation should be paid much attention in order to make sure life and quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety of living-related kidney transplantation. METHODS: A total of 38 cases of living relative donor kidney transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Before transplantation, identify of patients should be determined, and all patients provided the informed consent. The general data of patients were sufficiently dialyzed before transplantation to improve the body status. TacroUmus or mixture of cyclosporine A, mycophenolate, and adrenal cortex hormone were administrated following transplantation to observe renal function, complication incidence, and acute rejection reaction. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Due to short waiting time, low price, and long-term survival rate, living-relative donor kidney transplantation has low risk factor, s for donor. However, the safety still needs to be sufficiently evaluated for donors and recipients.

Objective To establish the mouse model for human papillomavirus types 16, 45 and 58 by the corresponding pseudovirions. Methods The 293FT cells were co-transfected with eodon-modified HPV eapsids genes together with a reporter plasmid containing the luciferase gene. The cells were collected and lysed, then the pseudovirus was collected and the titration was performed. The mouse was subcutaneous-ly injected with Depo-Provera. After 4 d and intravaginally injected with nonoxynol-9, and 6 h later pseud-oviruses were inoculated in intravaginal. After 7 d, the mouse was instilled luciferin substrate intravaginally, and the expression level of the lueiferase gene was detected by the in vivo Imaging System (IVIS). Results Three types (HPV16, HPV45 and HPV58) of pseudoviruses had been produced and the titer was 3.7×108 TU/ml, 1.5×108 TU/ml and 1.2×108 TU/ml, respectively. The luminescent regions could be detected in the mice which were infected with the pseudovirions, the luminescent signal intensity for types 16,45 and 58 was 1.779×106p/s, 5.738×105×p/s and 1.829×106p/s, respectively. Conclusion The mouse models for HPV16, 45 and 58 have been successfully established based on pseudovirions, which will be very useful for the research of HPV infection intervention, the evaluation of HPV vaccines and the screening of the prophylactic agents.

Objective To study the influence of site-directed deglycosylation of the HIV-1 envelope (Env) on its immunogenicity and assembly of functional pseudovirus. Methods Site-directed deglycosylation were performed using cycling mutagenesis and selection of mutants with DpnⅠ. Single-cycle infection assay was employed to analyze the effect of the mutations on the ability of functional pseudovirus assembly. The influence of deglycosylations on the immunodeficiency of Env was evaluated using pseudovirusbased neutralization assay and ELISPOT assay. Results Mutant N197Q induced higher neutralization activities for both pseudoviruses, but lower Env-specific T-cell response. And N197Q rendered the Env to lose the ability of functional pseudovirus assembly. Mutant G2 induced higher neutralization activities for pseudovirus 74-2 but lower for pseudovirus Wt, and had almost no influence on Env-specific T-cell response and functional pseudovirus forming. Conclusion The site-directed deglycosylation of the HIV-1 Env affects the pseudovirus forming and its immunogenicity.

Objective To establish a pseudovirus-based neutralization assay. Methods The functional gp160 genes were amplified from plasmids containing HIV-1 gene. The products were ligased into pcDNA3.1 plasmid and positive clones were screened by digestion with restriction enzymes. The pseudoviruses were harvested by co-transfection of the positive clone and pSG3△env plasmid. The neutralizing activities of monoclonal antibodies and HIV-1 antibody positive plasma were measured by these pseudoviruses. Results The four strains of psedoviruses (CHB01, CHB02, CHBC03 and CHAE04) had been successfully obtained. Monoclonal antibody 4E10 could neutralize all of 4 pseudoviruses while 2G12 could not neutralize any pesudoviruses. Monoclonal antibody 2F5 could neutralize pseudovirus CHB01, CHB02 and CHAE04 but not CHBC03, while IgG1b12 could neutralize pseudovirus CHB01, CHB02 and CHBC03 but not CHAE04. The neutralizing activities of 43 of HIV-1 antibody positive plasma against different subtypes of pseudovirus were significant differences and the cross-neutralization effects for some samples exist. Conclusion The harvested pseudoviruses could be used in the neutralization assay. However, the neutralizing characteristics of different pseudoviruses may be different.

Objective To compare cellular immune responses in mice elicited by Chinese different AIDS candidate vaccines.Methods According to their different immunization procedures,BALB/c mice were immunized with 6 AIDS candidate vaccines,separately.Spleen cells were isolated for the detection of cellular immune response to HIV-specific peptides using enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot(ELISPOT)assay and intracellular cytokine staining(ICS)method.Results AIDS vaccines were evaluated by using potential T-cell epitopes(PTE)Gag,Env and Pol peptides pool and ELISPOT.The positive conversion rates for cellular immune response of 1#-6# vaccines fluctuated from 70% to 100%.The vaccine-induced cellular immune responses to specific peptides pool are different not only in magnitude but also in breadth.The Th1type cytokines,IFN-γand IL-2,were detected with ELISPOT in 1# and 2# vaccines.The productions of IFN-γand IL-2 induced by both of the two vaccines showed a moderate correlation(r1 =0.62,P1 ＜0.01 ;r2=0.79,P2 ＜ 0.01).The positive conversion rate of IFN-γ secreting cells of 1 # vaccine was 66.7%(10/15)mice detected with both ELISPOT and ICS.And the results tested by ELISPOT and ICS showed moderate correlation(r = 0.55,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The magnitude and breadth of cellular immune responses induced by different AIDS candidate vaccines are different.Being induced by different AIDS candidate vaccines,the IFN-γand other Th1 type cytokines detected by ELISPOT or ICS could be used to evaluate the cellular immune responses in mice.