HIV-2 Neutralization Sensitivity in Relation to Co-Receptor Entry Pathways and Env Motifs

HIV-2, compared to HIV-1, elicits potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies, and uses a broad range of co-receptors. However, both sensitivity to neutralization and breadth of co-receptor use varies between HIV-2 isolates, and the molecular background is still not fully understood. Thus, in the current study, we have deciphered relationships between HIV-2 neutralization sensitivity, co-receptor use and viral envelope glycoprotein (Env) molecular motifs. A panel of primary HIV-2 isolates, with predefined use of co-receptors, was assessed for neutralization sensitivity using a set of HIV-2 Env-directed monoclonal antibodies and co-receptor indicator cell lines. Neutralization sensitivity of the isolates was analysed in relation target cell co-receptor expression, in addition to amino acid motifs and predicted structures of Env regions. Results showed that HIV-2 isolates were more resistant to neutralizing antibodies when entering target cells via the alternative co-receptor GPR15, as compared to CCR5. A similar pattern was noted for isolates using the alternative co-receptor CXCR6. Sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies appeared also to be linked to specific Env motifs in V1/V2 and C3 regions. Our findings suggest that HIV-2 sensitivity to neutralization depends both on which co-receptor is used for cell entry and on specific Env motifs. This study highlights the multifactorial mechanisms behind HIV-2 neutralization sensitivity.     

Effect of corrosion potential on the corrosion fatigue crack growth behaviour of low-alloy steels in high-temperature water

The low-frequency corrosion fatigue (CF) crack growth behaviour of different low-alloy reactor pressure vessel steels was characterized under simulated boiling water reactor conditions by cyclic fatigue tests with pre-cracked fracture mechanics specimens. The experiments were performed in the temperature range of 240-288 °C with different loading parameters at different electrochemical corrosion potentials (ECPs). Modern high-temperature water loops, on-line crack growth monitoring (DCPD) and fractographical analysis by SEM were used to quantify the cracking response. In this paper the effect of ECP on the CF crack growth behaviour is discussed and compared with the crack growth model of General Electric (GE). The ECP mainly affected the transition from fast (‘high-sulphur’) to slow (‘low-sulphur’) CF crack growth, which appeared as critical frequencies ν_crit = f(ΔK, R, ECP) and ΔK-thresholds ΔK_EAC = f(ν, R, ECP) in the cycle-based form and as a critical air fatigue crack growth rate da/dt_Air,crit in the time-domain form. The critical crack growth rates, frequencies, and ΔK_EAC-thresholds were shifted to lower values with increasing ECP. The CF crack growth rates of all materials were conservatively covered by the ‘high-sulphur’ CF line of the GE-model for all investigated temperatures and frequencies. Under most system conditions, the model seems to reasonably well predict the experimentally observed parameter trends. Only under highly oxidizing conditions (ECP ? 0 mV_SHE) and slow strain rates/low loading frequencies the GE-model does not conservatively cover the experimentally gathered crack growth rate data. Based on the GE-model and the observed cracking behaviour a simple time-domain superposition-model could be used to develop improved reference CF crack growth curves for codes.     

Ni(ll) biosorption by Rhizopus arrhizus Env 3: the study of important parameters in biomass biosorption

BACKGROUND: The removal of toxic metals from wastewaters by biosorption, based on the metal‐binding capacities of various biological materials, has attracted much interest. However, the success of this approach depends on economic feasibility, which can be obtained by optimisation of the environmental conditions. In this study, Ni(II) biosorption experiments were carried out using a preformed biomass of Rhizopus arrhizus. A pure culture of previously isolated R. arrhizus Env 3 was used for maximum biosorption of nickel metal from nickel‐electroplating industrial effluent. RESULTS: Various environmental factors such as nickel concentration, pH, temperature, mycelial pellet weight, pretreatment of fungal biomass, dead and living fungal biomass and time course of biosorption by R. arrhizus Env 3 were optimised for maximum removal of nickel from the effluent. The maximum nickel removal rate of 618.5 mg g^?1 was observed with living biomass at pH 8, temperature 35 °C, nickel concentration 500 mg L^?1, pellet size 3 g wet weight and shaker velocity 150 rpm. Maximum nickel biosorption was obtained after 72 h. CONCLUSION: Statistical analysis of different factors such as temperature, pH, mycelial pellet size, concentration of nickel in effluent and residual nickel level showed that all these factors had significant effects on the biosorption of nickel metal by R. arrhizus Env 3 from nickel‐electroplating industrial effluent. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

HIV-1 env基因在重组鸡痘病毒中的表达

在以鸡痘病毒复制非必需区TK基因为侧翼构建的载体 (插入有 16个串联的突变型痘苗病毒P7 5启动子和牛痘病毒A型包涵体晚期启动子及LacZ报告基因 )中的复合启动子下游 ,分别插入编码人免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)Ⅰ型外膜蛋白的env基因和中国株HIV 1gp12 0基因 ,通过与野生型鸡痘病毒的同源重组 ,X gal显色挑斑 ,获得 2株重组病毒vUTA - 2f- 16LE和vUTA - 2f- 16LG。经Dot-ELISA、免疫荧光试验、SDS -PAGE和Westernblot检测表明 ,2株重组病毒均能表达gp16 0和gp12 0 ,相对分子质量分别为 16 0 0 0 0和 12 0 0 0 0。经小鼠免疫试验其血清中抗gp12 0抗体A值和脾脏CD4+ /CD8+ T淋巴细胞比值均高于对照组 (P <0 .0 1) ,说明由重组病毒表达的Env蛋白和Gp12 0蛋白具有良好的反应原性和免疫原性。     

Corrosion fatigue crack growth behaviour of low-alloy reactor pressure vessel steels under boiling water reactor conditions

The corrosion fatigue crack growth behaviour of different low-alloy reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels and weld filler/heat-affected zone materials was systematically characterized under simulated boiling water reactor normal water and hydrogen water chemistry conditions by low-frequency fatigue tests with pre-cracked fracture mechanics specimens. The experiments were performed in oxygenated or hydrogenated high-purity or sulphate/chloride containing water at temperatures from 150 to 288 °C.In this paper, the observed synergistic effects of environmental, material and loading parameters on the environmental acceleration of fatigue crack growth in low-alloy RPV steels are discussed in the context of the Ford-Andresen model. Additionally, the adequacy and conservatism of the current “ASME XI reference fatigue crack growth curves” of the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code are critically reviewed and assessed on the basis of the gathered experimental data base and this model. Based on the observed cracking behaviour and the Ford-Andresen model, a simple time-domain superposition model is suggested, which could reduce most of the undue conservatism and eliminate uncertainties of the existing codes and therefore serve as a basis for the development of improved reference fatigue crack growth curves.