Assessment of the performance of a rapid, lateral flow assay for the detection of antibodies to HIV

Rapid HIV assays have recently been shown to have important applications for various testing situations, including early identification of infected individuals, to allow intervention strategies in a clinically relevant time frame. A rapid, lateral flow, HIV-1/2/O assay was evaluated using 2,000 serum or plasma samples from various risk groups and geographic locations, including HIV-1 and HIV-2 positive sera from five countries. Two U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-licensed screening assays and a FDA-licensed confirmatory assay were used as reference tests. The rapid assay exhibited a near-perfect sensitivity (99.2%) and an excellent specificity (99.9%). Moreover, its analytical sensitivity was found to be better than most FDA-licensed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), detecting infection at the same time as the most sensitive ELISA in two of five seroconversion panels, and at the same time or earlier than four of five ELISAs in all five panels. We conclude that this rapid assay is a suitable test for the detection of HIV infection that could be particularly useful in developing countries where facilities may not support the use of instrumentation.     

A fuzzy logic model for differential diagnosis of lower urinary tract dysfunctions

Lower urinary tract dysfunctions (LUTD) restrict quality of life, resulting in decreased work productivity and emotional well‐being. However, most people are not diagnosed because they do not seek medical treatment. In addition, some facilities do not adequately train health professionals in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. The study's objective was to develop a decision support system modelled on fuzzy logic that defines LUTD using the terminology of the International Continence Society. This methodological study aimed to develop a model that uses the maximum–minimum composition (max–min) of fuzzy relations that can perform differential diagnoses of LUTD. The model was tested in 100 cases (50 men and 50 women), and the data were obtained from medical records containing the clinical data and results of urodynamic studies. All medical records were reviewed by a specialist in urology. The model was capable of determining a diagnosis in full (62%) or partial (36%) agreement with the medical report. Agreement between the model and the medical report was excellent (kappa = 0·98, p ? 0·001, CI = 0·88–1) or substantial (kappa = 0·53, p ? 0·001, CI = 0·45–0·60), considering overestimative accordance (where accordance is assumed when at least one diagnosis is equal) and underestimative accordance (where accordance is assumed when all diagnoses are equal), respectively. The proposed model based on the max–min composition of fuzzy relationships is very simple and performed well. However, more tests are recommended before the model is used as a decision support system.     

Effects of collagen membranes enriched with in vitro-differentiated N1E-115 cells on rat sciatic nerve regeneration after end-to-end repair

Preventing falls and fall-related fractures in the elderly is an objective yet to be reached. There is increasing evidence that a supplementation of vitamin D and/or of calcium may reduce the fall and fracture rates. A vitamin D-calcium supplement appears to have a high potential due to its simple application and its low cost. However, published studies have shown conflicting results as some studies failed to show any effect, while others reported a significant decrease of falls and fractures. Through a 15-year literature overview, and after a brief reminder on mechanism of falls in older adults, we reported evidences for a vitamin D action on postural adaptations - i.e., muscles and central nervous system - which may explain the decreased fall and bone fracture rates and we underlined the reasons for differences and controversies between published data. Vitamin D supplementation should thus be integrated into primary and secondary fall prevention strategies in older adults.     

体外原代培养纯化新生鼠嗅鞘细胞的实验方法：差速贴壁＋阿糖胞苷＋胰酶法

目的:通过细胞形态学观察及生物学特性鉴定,建立一种经济实用的体外原代培养纯化新生鼠嗅鞘细胞的实验方法。方法:实验于2006-06在武汉理工大学完成。①阿糖胞苷(Sigma,批号w10562);胎牛血清(杭州四季青产品);胰蛋白酶(Amresco);多聚赖氨酸(Sigma);胶质纤维酸性蛋白,神经生长因子受体蛋白抗体(博士德)。②选取出生3d内的Wistar大鼠5只,乙醇浸泡后断头处死,取嗅球的最外两层,通过1.25g/L胰蛋白酶消化分离嗅鞘细胞,体外原代培养。③采用Nash差速贴壁 阿糖胞苷 胰酶法纯化嗅鞘细胞。培养18h后将未贴壁的细胞悬液转种于另一未涂层的器皿中,再培养36h,重复上述步骤移入0.1g/L多聚赖氨酸包被的塑料培养瓶中进行培养,纯化后的细胞在24h内陆续贴壁,常规培养2d,加入终浓度为2mg/L的阿糖胞苷,作用48h后,换上新的培养基,继续培养1d,弃去培养基,用无钙镁的Hanks液清洗2次,然后用1.25g/L的胰酶消化10min,待细胞突起回缩、胞体变圆时,立刻加入纯血清终止,其血清终浓度为20%,制备单细胞悬液。④倒置显微镜下观察其形态变化,苏木精-伊红染色,同时行神经生长因子受体蛋白和胶质纤维酸性蛋白免疫组化染色鉴定嗅鞘细胞,并计算嗅鞘细胞阳性百分率。结果:①活细胞形态观察:分离培养的嗅鞘细胞具有双极或多极突起,且突起细长,相互交织。②嗅鞘细胞的苏木精-伊红染色鉴定:细胞呈三角形或梭形,有长的突起,胞浆被染成粉红色,胞核呈蓝紫色,胞核内深染的为核仁,有1～3个核仁。③嗅鞘细胞的胶质纤维酸性蛋白免疫组化染色鉴定:细胞呈现棕黄色,胞核淡染,阳性细胞成网状连接,胞体多为三角形,有细长突起,阳性率91.5%。④嗅鞘细胞的P75免疫组化染色鉴定:阳性细胞呈绿色,多数细胞染色阳性,阳性率89%。结论:实验所采用的Nash差速贴壁 阿糖胞苷 胰酶法分离纯化培养嗅鞘细胞切实可行,为神经诱导修复材料的研究提供种子细胞。     

认知矫正治疗对慢性精神分裂症患者临床症状和社会功能的影响

目的:观察认知矫正治疗对慢性精神分裂症患者临床症状和社会功能的改善作用。方法:选择2003-01/08在北京回龙观医院住院的慢性精神分裂症患者104例。均符合CCMD-Ⅲ及DSM-Ⅳ关于精神分裂症诊断标准;年龄25～55岁;病程≥2年;病情稳定,处于迁延、残留或部分缓解状态;药物治疗状况稳定,近期无换药打算;纳入对象或家属同意入组并签署知情同意书。应用随机数字表法将患者分认知矫正治疗组和对照组,每组52例。在相近药物治疗的基础上,认知矫正治疗组以Ann Delahunty和Rodney Morice等制定的神经认知矫正手册(汉化)为治疗工具,在治疗师的指导下进行认知作业练习,内容包括认知灵活性、工作记忆、计划执行功能3大功能模块。对照组予以相同时间的工娱治疗,主要包括有治疗师指导的操作性音乐治疗和舞蹈治疗。治疗前后两组患者分别进行PANSS、住院精神患者社会功能缺陷量表和护士观察量表的评定。结果:实验共纳入慢性精神分裂症患者104例,认知矫正治疗组44例,对照组46例进入结果分析,14例脱落。①治疗前后两组患者PANSS量表总分以及阴性症状量表、复合量表、一般精神病理量表、反应缺乏量表4个分量表的评分均有下降,组内比较差异有显著性意义(t=2.12～4.59,P<0.05);减分情况在两组间差异不明显(P>0.05)。②两组患者的社会功能缺陷量表总分在治疗后均有下降,与治疗前比较,差异有显著性意义(t=3.89,2.04,P<0.05);两组间比较,差异无显著性意义(P>0.05)。认知矫正治疗组治疗后护士观察量表的总病情以及总消极、迟滞2个分量表评分下降,与治疗前比较差异有显著性意义(t=1.49,1.19,2.81,P<0.05);其中迟滞项的减分在两组间比较,差异具有显著性意义(F=4.97,P<0.05)。③社会功能量表的改善与词语流畅性的改善呈正相关(R2=0.36,P<0.05),护士观察量表中总病情与积极两项评分的改善也与言语流畅性测验的改善正相关(R2=0.37,0.34,P<0.05)。结论:认知矫正治疗能在一定程度上改善精神分裂症患者的社会功能,并与部分认知功能的改善相关,但对临床症状无明显改善作用。     

Differential class III and glibenclamide effects on action potential duration in guinea-pig papillary muscle during normoxia and hypoxia/ischaemia.

1. Microelectrode recording techniques were used to study the effects of several potassium channel blockers which are considered to be Class III antiarrhythmic compounds. The effects of (+)-sotalol, UK-66,914, UK-68,798 and E-4031 on action potential duration (APD) were determined in guinea-pig isolated papillary muscles. The compounds were evaluated under normoxic or hypoxic/ischaemic conditions at 36.5 degrees C and compared to glibenclamide, which is considered to be a blocker of ATP-dependent potassium channels. Prolongation of action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90) was taken as an indirect measure of potassium channel blockade. 2. Under normoxic conditions, the Class III compounds prolonged APD in a concentration-dependent manner. According to EC15 values, the order of potency of the Class III compounds was found to be UK-68,798 > E-4031 > UK-66,914 > (+)-sotalol. Glibenclamide did not significantly prolong APD90 under normoxic conditions. 3. Perfusion with an experimental hypoxic or ischaemic bathing solution produced qualitatively similar effects on action potentials. Over a period of 20-25 min in either of the experimental solutions, there was a small decrease in action potential amplitude (APA) and a prominent shortening of APD. The ischaemic solution also depolarized the resting membrane potential by about 15 mV. 4. (+)-Sotalol and UK-66,914 did not reverse the shortening of APD induced by perfusion with hypoxic Krebs solution. High concentrations of glibenclamide (10 microM) and UK-68,798 (30 and 60 microM) partially reversed the hypoxia-shortened APD. Glibenclamide was more potent and exhibited a greater time-dependent action than UK-68,798.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Role of ATP and related purines in inhibitory neurotransmission to the pig urinary bladder neck

Background and purpose:

As adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) is one of the inhibitory mediators of the bladder outflow region, this study investigates the possible release of ATP or related purines in response to electrical field stimulation (EFS) and the purinoceptor(s) involved in nerve-mediated relaxations of the pig urinary bladder neck.

Experimental approach:

Urothelium-denuded and intact phenylephrine-precontracted strips were mounted in organ baths containing physiological saline solution at 37°C and gassed with 95% O₂ and 5% CO₂ for isometric force recordings.

Key results:

EFS, in the presence of atropine, guanethidine and N^G-nitro-L-arginine, and exogenous purines, produced frequency- and concentration-dependent relaxations respectively. Adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine were more potent than ATP in producing relaxation, while uridine 5′-triphosphate, uridine 5′-diphosphate and α,β-methylene ATP were less effective. The non-selective P2 antagonist suramin, and the P2Y₁ and P1 receptor blockers 2′-deoxy-N6-methyladenosine 3′,5′-bisphosphate tetrasodium and 8-(p-sulphophenyl)theophylline, respectively, inhibited the responses to EFS and ATP. The P1 agonist''s potency was: 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA)>4-2[[6-amino-9-(N-ethyl-b-D-ribofuranuronamidosyl)-9H-purin-2-yl]amino]ethyl]benzene propanoic acid hydrochloride>2-chloro-N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine>-2-chloro-6-[[(3-iodophenyl)methyl]amino]-9H-purin-9-yl]-1-deoxy-N-methyl-b-D-ribofuranuronamide = adenosine. 4-(-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5-ylamino]ethyl) phenol, an A_2A antagonist, reduced the relaxations to EFS, adenosine and NECA. In urothelium-intact samples, relaxations to EFS and purines were smaller than in urothelium-denuded preparations. Neuronal voltage-gated Na⁺ channels blockade failed to modify ATP relaxations. At basal tension, EFS- and ATP-induced contractions were resistant to desensitization or blockade of P2X₁ and P2X₃ receptors.

Conclusions and implications:

ATP is involved in the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic, non-nitrergic inhibitory neurotransmission in the pig bladder neck, producing relaxation largely through muscle A_2A receptors after breakdown to adenosine, and P2Y₁ receptors after breakdown to ADP. Antagonists of these receptors may be useful for urinary incontinence treatment produced by intrinsic sphincteric deficiency.     

维A类化合物4-APR抑制肿瘤侵袭、转移的作用

用体内外实验模型,研究了新维A类化合物4-乙酰胺苯基维A酸酯(4-APR)对肿瘤侵袭、转移的抑制作用。4-APR 43.3mg·kg^-1po即能减少小鼠Lewis肺癌的自发性肺转移瘤数。半体内实验证明4-APR10^-5mol·L^-1和10^-6mol·L^-1对B16-F10癌细胞的人工肺转移瘤数分别抑制67.9%和36.6%。体外实验显示,4-APR对B16-F10细胞侵袭重组基底膜的抑制率分别为54.2%和41.9%。