OBJECTIVETo construct the virus-like parcel expressing hepatitis B virus (HBV) C gene and identify its immunogenicity.

METHODSHBV C gene was cloned into the shuttle vector pSC11, and the resulted plasmid pSC11-C was transfected into modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA).

RESULTSpSC11-C was correctly constructed as verified by sequence analysis and PCR, and the recombinant virus-like parcel possessed good immunogenicity.

CONCLUSIONThe MVA-C expressing HBV C gene has been successfully constructed to provide important basis for gene therapy research of chronic HBV infection.

Genes, Viral ; Genetic Vectors ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; genetics ; Recombination, Genetic ; Vaccinia virus ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the relationship between post-stroke depression (PSD) and leukoaraiosis in a well-defined acute ischemic stroke cohort.Methods One hundred and sixty-eight patients with acute ischemic stroke,admitted to our hospital from June 2007 to March 2011,were examined by magnetic resonance imaging.The patients were made a diagnosis of post-stroke depression by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria 2 weeks after the index stroke; 60 (35.7％) patients had PSD in the acute period and 60 stroke patients without depression matched according to age and gender served as a control group were chosen.The distribution and severity of leukoaraiosis were evaluated using scale developed by Fazekas and age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) scale.The risk factors of PSD were chosen after univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results In comparison with the non-PSD group,patients in the PSD group were more likely to have high deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMHs) scores and ARWMC scale scores in the frontal area with significant difference (P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in periventricular white matter hypertensities (PVWMHs) scores and ARWMC scale scores in the parieto-occipital area,temporal area,infratentorial area and basal ganglia area between the PSD and control groups (P＞0.05).In the multivariate logistic regression analysis,DWMHs remained an independent risk factor of PSD (OR:1.740,95％CI:1.194-2.536,P=0.004).Conclusion There may be an association between PSD and leukoaraiosis; severe leukoaraiosis in the deep area may increase vulnerability to develop depression in the acute period after ischemic stroke.