ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into the feasibility of screening anti-HIV compounds by using HIV-1 p24 detection kit made by Hebei Medical University.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The sensitivity, reproducibility and efficacy of the Hebei p24 kit were evaluated compared with the commercially available Vironostika HIV-1 Antigen Microelisa System (Biomerieux).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hebei p24 kit had high sensitivity and good reproducibility. In vitro screening demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference (P greater than 0.05) between these two kits in assessing anti-HIV compounds.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hebei p24 kit could be used as an easily affordable alternative method for detection of HIV-1 in screening anti-HIV compounds.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Anti-HIV Agents , Pharmacology , Cell Line , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Methods , Feasibility Studies , HIV Core Protein p24 , HIV-1 , Allergy and Immunology , Reagent Kits, Diagnostic , Reference Standards , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the epidemiologic features and etiology of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in China so as to provide evidence for the development of preventive measures on H. pylori infection and related diseases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Meta-analysis was used to evaluate the data extracted from 1990 - 2002 published papers on the epidemiology of H. pylori infection in China.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average infection rate of H. pylori infection in China was 58.07%, with 50% in 10 to 20 year-olds. Significant intrafamilial clustering was observed. H. pylori infection was a risk factor to develop gastrointestinal disease.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>H. pylori infections in Chinese were common and extensively distributed, which might due to close contact between family members.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , China , Epidemiology , Family , Helicobacter Infections , Epidemiology , Helicobacter pylori , Stomach NeoplasmsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Astragalus membranaceus extract (AME) in regulating the immune function of human peripheral blood immune cells (PBIC) in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Effects of AME on the proliferation activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the tumor cell phagocytosis of peripheral blood adherent monocytes (PBAM) were measured by using 3H-TdR incorporation. Effect of the tumor-killing activity of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) was determined by using 51Cr-releasing assay. Effects on production of IgG by peripheral blood B cells (PBBC) and IL-6 by PBAM were tested by means of ELISA, and effect on production of TNF-alpha by PBAM was studied by means of biological method. Besides, the protein elements of AME were analysed by SDS-PAGE.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>AME could promote the proliferation of human PBMC, elevate the tumor cell-killing activity of CTL, strengthen the tumor cell phagocytosis and cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) production of PBAM, and promote the IgG production of PBBC. AME contained multiple protein elements.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AME has effect in enhancing human immuno-function and anti-tumor activity, it could be applied in clinical practice for immuno-modulation and tumor treatment.</p>