HIV-indeterminate Western blotting(WB)results are typically obtained in WB confirmatory assays,and the number of indeterminate samples may increase with the detection of HIV infections,which will present considerable ...HIV-indeterminate Western blotting(WB)results are typically obtained in WB confirmatory assays,and the number of indeterminate samples may increase with the detection of HIV infections,which will present considerable challenges for the management of HIV/AIDS.Nucleic acid detection has been used as a laboratory test for screening suspected or indeterminate samples.However,the effectiveness of these assays for the differential diagnosis of HIV-indeterminate WB samples remained undetermined.In this study,210 subjects with HIV-indeterminate WB results were detected from 6360 positive HIV screening samples between 2015 and 2016 in southeastern China,in which HIV-indeterminate WB results accounted for 3.30%.The highest proportion of indeterminate results was observed in pregnant and lying-in women receiving physical examinations(16.67%),followed by that in voluntary blood donors(8.82%).The most common WB band patterns were p24,gpl60 and p24,and gpl60.The follow-up study revealed that the highest negative and positive conversion rates of HIV antibodies were in samples with a single p24 band(80.28%),and with gpl60 and p24 bands(86.21%),respectively.Among the Env,Gag,and Pol antibodies,samples with a Gag band showed the highest negative conversion rate(81.25%),whereas the highest positive conversion rate was observed in samples with an Env band(56.76%).In addition,quantitative and qualitative HIV nucleic acid testing exhibited the highest sensitivity(96.3%)and specificity(97.85%),respectively.Our results indicate a lower proportion of HIV indeterminate WB results in southeastern China compared to previous reports,and the follow-up re-examination of patients with HIV indeterminate results should be performed.Nucleic acid testing facilitates the identification of HIV infections.展开更多
Benzodiazepines and other benzodiazepine receptor agonists, such as the “Z” drugs, are widely prescribed medications mainly used for treating anxiety and seizures, and for inducing sedation. Unfortunately, despite t...Benzodiazepines and other benzodiazepine receptor agonists, such as the “Z” drugs, are widely prescribed medications mainly used for treating anxiety and seizures, and for inducing sedation. Unfortunately, despite their popularity, benzodiazepine prescribing often exceeds recommendations and the consequences can be severe. On September 23, 2020, the United States FDA announced a new requirement for a Boxed Warning for benzodiazepines prescribing. Along with this announcement, the FDA stated that relevant information regarding the initiation, continuation, and discontinuation of benzodiazepines is lacking. Here, we describe initial pilot studies intended to investigate the questions 1) can animal models be developed that demonstrate benzodiazepine physical dependence and/or withdrawal symptoms, and 2) determine whether translocator protein (TSPO) plays a role in benzodiazepine dependence and/or withdrawal processes. The former was demonstrated, methodological limitations prevented the latter.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the Cultivation of Young Talents Project Fund from the Fujian Provincial Health and Family Planning Commission (Grant No. 2015-ZQN-ZD11)the Pilot Project of Fujian Provincial Department of Science and Technology (Grant No. 2016Y0010)+2 种基金the Jiangsu Provincial Project of Invigorating Health Care through Science, Technology and EducationJiangsu Provincial Medical Youth Talentthe Project of Invigorating Health Care through Science, Technology and Education (Grant No. QNRC2016621)
文摘HIV-indeterminate Western blotting(WB)results are typically obtained in WB confirmatory assays,and the number of indeterminate samples may increase with the detection of HIV infections,which will present considerable challenges for the management of HIV/AIDS.Nucleic acid detection has been used as a laboratory test for screening suspected or indeterminate samples.However,the effectiveness of these assays for the differential diagnosis of HIV-indeterminate WB samples remained undetermined.In this study,210 subjects with HIV-indeterminate WB results were detected from 6360 positive HIV screening samples between 2015 and 2016 in southeastern China,in which HIV-indeterminate WB results accounted for 3.30%.The highest proportion of indeterminate results was observed in pregnant and lying-in women receiving physical examinations(16.67%),followed by that in voluntary blood donors(8.82%).The most common WB band patterns were p24,gpl60 and p24,and gpl60.The follow-up study revealed that the highest negative and positive conversion rates of HIV antibodies were in samples with a single p24 band(80.28%),and with gpl60 and p24 bands(86.21%),respectively.Among the Env,Gag,and Pol antibodies,samples with a Gag band showed the highest negative conversion rate(81.25%),whereas the highest positive conversion rate was observed in samples with an Env band(56.76%).In addition,quantitative and qualitative HIV nucleic acid testing exhibited the highest sensitivity(96.3%)and specificity(97.85%),respectively.Our results indicate a lower proportion of HIV indeterminate WB results in southeastern China compared to previous reports,and the follow-up re-examination of patients with HIV indeterminate results should be performed.Nucleic acid testing facilitates the identification of HIV infections.
文摘Benzodiazepines and other benzodiazepine receptor agonists, such as the “Z” drugs, are widely prescribed medications mainly used for treating anxiety and seizures, and for inducing sedation. Unfortunately, despite their popularity, benzodiazepine prescribing often exceeds recommendations and the consequences can be severe. On September 23, 2020, the United States FDA announced a new requirement for a Boxed Warning for benzodiazepines prescribing. Along with this announcement, the FDA stated that relevant information regarding the initiation, continuation, and discontinuation of benzodiazepines is lacking. Here, we describe initial pilot studies intended to investigate the questions 1) can animal models be developed that demonstrate benzodiazepine physical dependence and/or withdrawal symptoms, and 2) determine whether translocator protein (TSPO) plays a role in benzodiazepine dependence and/or withdrawal processes. The former was demonstrated, methodological limitations prevented the latter.
