[An investigation of reproductive health in female workers engaged in administrative management]

Objective: To investigate the reproductive health status of female workers engaged in administrative management, and to provide a reference for protecting the reproductive health of female workers. Methods: From April to November, 2016, a cross-sectional survey was performed for 2717 female workers aged 18-60 years and engaged in administrative management from 13 cities and provinces in China, and a questionnaire was used to investigate their general information, occupational hazards in workplace, and reproductive health status, and the reproductive health status of female workers was analyzed. Results: Of all 2 717 female workers, 1 170 had gynecological diseases or symptoms, resulting in an incidence rate of 43.06%, and among these workers, 11.15% had abnormal menstruation, 34.64% had infertility, and 38.76% had a history of abortion. There were significant differences in the rates of abnormal results of gynecological examination, abnormal menstruation, abortion, and infertility between the female workers in different age groups (P<0.01) . Unhealthy living habits and major events were risk factors for gynecological diseases, abnormal menstruation, and abortion (P<0.05) ; bad working status was a risk factor for gynecological diseases and abortion (P<0.05) ; exposure to harmful factors was a risk factor for gynecological diseases and abnormal menstruation (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Living habits, major events, working status, and occupational harmful factors have certain influence on reproductive health of female workers engaged in administrative management. Occupational health protection should be strengthened, working patterns should be improved, self-protection awareness should be raised, and health protection should be enhanced for women of childbearing age to protect and promote the reproductive health of female workers.

[A meta-analysis of Symptom Checklist-90 assessment results in Chinese nurses]

Objective: To investigate the application of Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) in Chinese nurses. Methods: We performed a literature search for articles in Chinese on the mental health of nurses investigated using the SCL-90 that were published from January 2007 to December 2016. A total of 129 articles were included, involving 178 groups of valid samples as well as 36316 subjects in 27 provinces or cities in China. The metafor package of R 3.2.1 software and Excel were used for meta-analysis and data statistics. Results: Heterogeneity was identified for the nine factors included in the literature data (Q test: P<0.05; I(2) test >40%) , so a random effects model was used. For all factors except interpersonal relationship factor, the 95% confidence intervals of the pooled effect sizes did not include 0. For all factors except interpersonal relationship factor (Egger test: P<0.05) , no significant asymmetry or incompleteness appeared in the funnel plots. The fail-safe number of each factor was much larger than 5k+10. The merger scores and mean values of nine factors were higher than the national norm. Conclusion: The SCL-90 is widely used in the study of mental status of Chinese nurses, but the SCL-90 norm for nurses is lacking.

[Influencing factors for reproductive health of female workers in petrochemical industry]

Objective: To investigate the reproductive health status of female workers in petrochemical industry, and to provide a reference for improving reproductive health status and developing preventive and control measures for female workers in petrochemical industry. Methods: A face-to-face questionnaire survey was performed from January to October, 2016. The Questionnaire on Women's Reproductive Health was used to investigate the reproductive health of female workers in petrochemical industry. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the influencing factors for reproductive health of female workers in petrochemical industry. Results: Among the 7485 female workers, 1 268 (40.9%) had abnormal menstrual period, 1 437 (46.4%) had abnormal menstrual volume, 177 (28.5%) had hyperplasia of mammary glands, and 1 807 (24.6%) had gynecological inflammation. The reproductive system diseases in female workers in petrochemical industry were associated with the factors including age, marital status, education level, unhealthy living habits, abortion, overtime work, work shift, workload, video operation, occupational exposure, positive events, and negative events, and among these factors, negative events (odds ratio[OR]= 1.856) , unhealthy living habits (OR=1.542) , and positive events (OR=1.516) had greater impact on reproductive system diseases. Conclusion: Many chemical substances in the occupational environment of petrochemical industry can cause damage to the reproductive system, which not only affects the health of the female workers, but also poses potential threats to the health of their offspring. Occupational exposure, unhealthy living habits, overtime work, and work shift have great influence on reproductive system diseases in female workers.

[An analysis of mental health status of female migrant workers in a city]

Objective: To investigate the mental health status of female migrant workers in a city. Methods: From August to December, 2016, cluster random sampling was used to select female migrant workers aged 16-60 years from 10 districts of this city, and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and a questionnaire on general status were used. Results: Among these female migrant workers, the detection rates of obsessive-compulsion, hostility, and depression were 6.62%, 4.18%, and 4.10%, respectively. There was a significant difference in the detection rate of mental health issues between the female migrant workers from different districts, with different occupations, or with different education levels (P<0.05) . Districts, occupation, and education level were associated with mental health issues, after adjustment for age (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Although female migrant workers in this city have a high mental health level, the issues such as obsessive-compulsion, hostility, and depression should be taken seriously. Targeted mental health surveys and comprehensive interventions should be implemented to improve the mental health level of female migrant workers.

[Analyzing the mental health status and its impact factors among female nurses in China]

Objective: To analyze the mental health status and its impact factors among nurses, finding ways to improve the mental health of nurses. Methods: A total of 13 425 female healthcare workers aged from 18 to 65 were selected as study objects. The survey was conducted with unified design questionnaire. The survey included the basic situation of the individuals and SCL-90 questionnaire. Comparing the female doctors, the mental health status and its impact factors of nurses were analyzed. Results: The income, age, education and occupation, which include shift work, heavy work load and overtime work are different between nurses and doctors. The main mental health problems of nurses were obsessive-compulsive symptoms, depressive symptoms and somatization. The results of univariate analysis indicated that shift work, overtime work, and heavy work load affected the positive rate of each factor. The results of multivariate analysis showed that occupation, shift work, overtime work, and heavy work load have significant adverse effects on the positive rate of the total score in female healthcare workers (P<0.01) . The positive rate of each dimension of SCL-90 in nurses is significantly higher than that of doctors. Conclusion: The mental health problems of nurses are significantly higher than doctors. The main reasons are low occupational level and adverse workstyles which include shift work, heavy workload and so on. Health administration and hospital management departments should pay much more attention to the mental health of nurses, improving their mental health through a variety of ways.

[Investigation and Analysis on shift work female workers' and the impact on reproductive health]

Objective: To investigate the distribution of shift work of female workers in different industries and the relationship between shift work and reproductive health, then provide reference for the female workers' labor protection. Methods: From June to September 2016, cluster sampling questionnaire survey was performed among female workers from 11 industries including electronics, medicine and health, pharmacy. To investigate the general information, shift-work information, reproductive health and childbearing history of these female workers. Results: A total of 63 711 usable questionnaires were collected, resulting in a response rate of 96.94%.A total of 13 546 workers worked in shifts, accounting for 21.26%, the highest proportion was in the medical industry 30.61%, metallurgy 30.81%, petrochemical engineerin 26.78% respectively. Compared with the workers who did not work in shifts, those who worked in shifts had significantly higher rate of abnormal menstruation, rate of reproductive system infection in married workers, the rate of infertility (χ(2)=19.108、10.673、21.510, P<0.05) ; Compared with the workers who did not work in nightshifts, those who worked in nightshifts had significantly higher rate of abnormal menstruation, rate of reproductive system infection among married workers and rate of infertility (χ(2)=140.043、71.901、29.024, P<0.01) . Conclusion: The highest rate of shift work was in the medical industry, metallurgy, petrochemical engineering industry. Workers who worked in shifts have serious reproductive health issues, the occurrence of abnormal menstruation, reproductive system infection and infertility may associated with shift work.

Theoretical investigations on the structures and properties of CL-20/TNT cocrystal and its defective models by molecular dynamics simulation

"Perfect" and defective models of CL-20/TNT cocrystal explosive were established. Molecular dynamics methods were introduced to determine the structures and predict the comprehensive performances, including stabilities, sensitivity, energy density and mechanical properties, of the different models. The influences of crystal defects on the properties of these explosives were investigated and evaluated. The results show that, compared with the "perfect" model, the rigidity and toughness of defective models are decreased, while the ductility, tenacity and plastic properties are enhanced. The binding energies, interaction energy of the trigger bond, and the cohesive energy density of defective crystals declined, thus implying that stabilities are weakened, the explosive molecule is activated, trigger bond strength is diminished and safety is worsened. Detonation performance showed that, owing to the influence of crystal defects, the density is lessened, detonation pressure and detonation velocity are also declined, i.e., the power of defective explosive is decreased. In a word, the crystal defects may have a favorable effect on the mechanical properties, but have a disadvantageous influence on sensitivity, stability and energy density of CL-20/TNT cocrystal explosive. The results could provide theoretical guidance and practical instructions to estimate the properties of defective crystal models.

[An investigation of reproductive health and related influencing factors in female staff in six industries in seven provinces in China]

Objective: To investigate the reproductive health status in female staff, and to develop labor protection strategies for female staff. Methods: From May to November, 2015, cluster sampling was performed in the industries of medicine and health, petrochemical engineering, metallurgy, railway, mechanical manufacturing, and electronics in seven provinces (municipalities directly under the Central Government and autonomous regions) . A questionnaire surveywas performed for female staff, and the investigation covered general information, occupational history andexposure to occupational hazards, and reproductive health and childbearing history. Results: A total of 14 614 usable questionnaires were collected, resulting in a response rate of 96.00%. The meanage of all female staff was 36 years. Of all female staff, 80.06% were married and 40.84% were exposed to hazardous factors; 28.14% had abnormal menstruation, and the female staff in theelectronics and railway industries had higher rates of abnormal menstruation (32.28% and 32.11%, respectively) . The overall rate of abnormal gynecological examination results was 18.29%, and the female staff in therailway industry had the highest rate (29.49%) . Of all female staff, 49.01% reported gynecological diseases in the past, among which hyperplasia of mammary glands accounted for 27.11% and inflammation in the reproductive system accounted for 36.31%. The medical staff had higher rates of abnormal menstruation (33.11%) and abnormal gynecological examination results (27.46%) compared with the staff engaged in other occupations. With normal sexual life and no contraceptive measures, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year infertility rates were 24.26%, 11.88%, and 8.88%, respectively. Conclusion: The female staff in the industries of medicine and health, railway, and electronics have serious reproductive health issues. Labor protection should be enhanced and working environment should be improved.

Theoretical investigation of the structures and properties of CL-20/DNB cocrystal and associated PBXs by molecular dynamics simulation

In this work, a CL-20/DNB cocrystal explosive model was established and six different kinds of fluoropolymers, i.e., PVDF, PCTFE, F₂₃₁₁, F₂₃₁₂, F₂₃₁₃ and F₂₃₁₄ were added into the (1 0 0), (0 1 0), (0 0 1) crystal orientations to obtain the corresponding polymer bonded explosives (PBXs). The influence of fluoropolymers on PBX properties (energetic property, stability and mechanical properties) was investigated and evaluated using molecular dynamics (MD) methods. The results reveal a decrease in engineering moduli, an increase in Cauchy pressure (i.e., rigidity and stiffness is lessened), and an increase in plastic properties and ductility, thus indicating that the fluoropolymers have a beneficial influence on the mechanical properties of PBXs. Of all the PBXs models tested, the mechanical properties of CL-20/DNB/F₂₃₁₁ were the best. Binding energies show that CL-20/DNB/F₂₃₁₁ has the highest intermolecular interaction energy and best compatibility and stability. Therefore, F₂₃₁₁ is the most suitable fluoropolymer for PBXs. The mechanical properties and binding energies of the three crystal orientations vary in the order (0 1 0) > (0 0 1) > (1 0 0), i.e., the mechanical properties of the (0 1 0) crystal orientation are best, and this is the most stable crystal orientation. Detonation performance results show that the density and detonation parameters of PBXs are lower than those of the pure CL-20 and CL-20/DNB cocrystal explosive. The power and energetic performance of PBXs are thus weakened; however, these PBXs still have excellent detonation performance and are very promising. The results and conclusions provide some helpful guidance and novel instructions for the design and manufacture of PBXs.

Molecular dynamics calculation on structures, stabilities, mechanical properties, and energy density of CL-20/FOX-7 cocrystal explosives

In this article, different CL-20/FOX-7 cocrystal models were established by the substitution method based on the molar ratios of CL-20:FOX-7. The structures and comprehensive properties, including mechanical properties, stabilities, and energy density, of different cocrystal models were obtained and compared with each other. The main aim was to estimate the influence of molar ratios on properties of cocrystal explosives. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulation results show that the cocrystal model with molar ratio 1:1 has the best mechanical properties and highest binding energy, so the CL-20/FOX-7 cocrystal model is more likely to form in 1:1 M ratio. The detonation parameters show that the cocrystal explosive exhibited preferable energy density and excellent detonation performance. In a word, the 1:1 cocrystal model has the best comprehensive properties, is very promising, and worth more theoretical investigations and experimental tests. This paper gives some original theories to better understand the cocrystal mechanism and provides some helpful guidance and useful instructions to help design CL-20 cocrystal explosives.

Theoretical insights into the effects of molar ratios on stabilities, mechanical properties, and detonation performance of CL-20/HMX cocrystal explosives by molecular dynamics simulation

To research and estimate the effects of molar ratios on structures, stabilities, mechanical properties, and detonation properties of CL-20/HMX cocrystal explosive, the CL-20/HMX cocrystal explosive models with different molar ratios were established in Materials Studio (MS). The crystal parameters, structures, stabilities, mechanical properties, and some detonation parameters of different cocrystal explosives were obtained and compared. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulation results illustrate that the molar ratios of CL-20/HMX have a direct influence on the comprehensive performance of cocrystal explosive. The hardness and rigidity of the 1:1 cocrystal explosive was the poorest, while the plastic property and ductibility were the best, thus implying that the explosive has the best mechanical properties. Besides, it has the highest binding energy, so the stability and compatibility is the best. The cocrystal explosive has better detonation performance than HMX. In a word, the 1:1 cocrystal explosive is worth more attention and further research. This paper could offer some theoretical instructions and technological support, which could help in the design of the CL-20 cocrystal explosive.

Vitexin suppresses autophagy to induce apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma via activation of the JNK signaling pathway

Vitexin, a flavonoids compound, is known to exhibit broad anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antitumor activity in many cancer xenograft models and cell lines. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antitumor effects and underlying mechanisms of vitexin on hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study, we found that vitexin suppressed the viability of HCC cell lines (SK-Hep1 and Hepa1-6 cells) significantly. Vitexin showed cytotoxic effects against HCC cell lines in vitro by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting autophagy. Vitexin induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner, and caused up-regulations of Caspase-3, Cleave Caspase-3, and a down-regulation of Bcl-2. The expression of autophagy-related protein LC3 II was significantly decreased after vitexin treatment. Moreover, western blot analysis presented that vitexin markedly up-regulated the levels of p-JNK and down-regulated the levels of p-Erk1/2 in SK-Hep1 cells and Hepa1-6 cells. Cotreatment with JNK inhibitor SP600125, we demonstrated that apoptosis induced by vitexin was suppressed, while the inhibition of autophagy by vitexin was reversed. The results of colony formation assay and mouse model confirmed the growth inhibition role of vitexin on HCC in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, vitexin inhibits HCC growth by way of apoptosis induction and autophagy suppression, both of which are through JNK MAPK pathway. Therefore, vitexin could be regarded as a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCC.

Determination of the effects of water adsorption on the sensitivity and detonation performance of the explosive JOB-9003 by molecular dynamics simulation

In order to determine the adsorption mechanism of water on the crystal surfaces of the explosive JOB-9003 and the effect of this adsorption on the sensitivity and detonation performance of this explosive, a model of the crystal of JOB-9003 was created in the software package Materials Studio (MS). The adsorption process was simulated, and molecular dynamics simulation was performed with the COMPASS force field in the NPT ensemble to calculate the sensitivity and detonation performance of the explosive. The results show that the maximum trigger bond length decreases whereas the interaction energy of the trigger bond and the cohesive energy density increase after adsorption, indicating that the sensitivity of JOB-9003 decreases. The results for the detonation performance show that the detonation pressure, detonation velocity, and detonation heat decrease upon the adsorption of water, thus illustrating that the detonation performance of JOB-9003 is degraded. In summary, the adsorption of water has a positive effect on the sensitivity and safety of the explosive JOB-9003 but a negative effect on its detonation performance.

Association of a hypoxia-inducible factor-3α gene polymorphism with superovulation traits in Changbaishan black cattle

This study was designed to examine a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the HIF-3α gene in three hundred Changbaishan black cattle using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism to determine whether there is an association between this SNP and superovulation. The cloning and sequencing results indicate that the polymorphism is due to a point mutation at the 278-bp position in the HIF-3α gene, resulting in 3 genotypes (AA, AB, and BB). Association analysis indicated that the polymorphism has a significant effect on the number of unfertilized embryos (NUE) (P < 0.05) in the cattle. Cattle with genotype BB had a higher NUE than those with genotype AA, but the difference in NUE between AB and AA or BB was not significant. The polymorphism also has a highly significant effect on the number of degenerative embryos (NDE) and the number of total embryos (NTE) (P < 0.01). Genotype BB was associated with a higher NDE than AA, but the difference in NDE between AB and AA or BB was not significant. Genotype BB showed a higher NTE than AA or AB, but the difference in NTE between AA and AB was not significant. No significant conclusions could be drawn with respect to susceptibility to other traits. HIF-3α could serve as a useful biomarker for donor selection, superovulation improvement, and assisted fertility.

Quantum coherence rather than quantum correlations reflect the effects of a reservoir on a system's work capability

We consider a model of an optical cavity with a nonequilibrium reservoir consisting of a beam of identical two-level atom pairs (TLAPs) in the general X state. We find that coherence of multiparticle nonequilibrium reservoir plays a central role on the potential work capability of the cavity. We show that no matter whether there are quantum correlations in each TLAP (including quantum entanglement and quantum discord) or not, the coherence of the TLAPs has an effect on the work capability of the cavity. Additionally, constructive and destructive interferences could be induced to influence the work capability of the cavity by adjusting only the relative phase, with which quantum correlations have nothing to do. In this paper, the coherence of the reservoir, rather than the quantum correlations, effectively reflecting the effects of the reservoir on the system's work capability is demonstrated clearly.

Intraconal orbital dermoid cyst in an adult patient: a rare location

Orbital dermoid cyst is a rare cause of orbital tumor in the adult population. Most of the orbital dermoids are extraconal, arising adjacent to bone suture and occurring in the pediatric patients. Deep orbital dermoid cyst located entirely intraconally is extremely rare. We report a case of intraconal orbital dermoid in an adult patient with CT and MRI evaluation.

Serological diagnosis of brucellosis

AIM

To present a review and to describe the most widely used laboratory tests for serology diagnosis of brucellosis along with their pros and cons.

METHODS

Review the recent literature on brucellosis serology diagnostic tests. The choice of the testing strategy depends on the prevailing brucellosis epidemiological situation and the goal of testing.

RESULTS

The 'gold standard' for the diagnosis of brucellosis is isolation and identification of the causative bacterium, a member of Brucella sp. Isolation of Brucella sp. requires high security laboratory facilities (biological containment level 3), highly skilled personnel, an extended turnaround time for results and it is considered a hazardous procedure. Hence brucellosis is generally diagnosed by detection of an elevated level of antibody in serum or other body fluid. This is a presumptive diagnosis as other microorganisms and perhaps environmental factors can also cause increased antibody levels.

CONCLUSION

A large number of serological tests for brucellosis have been devised over the 100+ years since its initial isolation, starting with a simple agglutination test and progressing to sophisticated primary binding assays available today. However, no test devised to date is 100% accurate so generally serological diagnosis consists of testing sera by several tests, usually a screening test of high sensitivity, followed by a confirmatory test of high specificity.

Validation and field assessment of a rapid lateral flow assay for detection of bovine antibody to Anaplasma marginale

The lateral flow assay (LFA) is a rapid diagnostic test which may be performed under most conditions and is especially useful for field applications. This type of assay was applied to the detection of antibody to bovine Anaplasma marginale using sera from endemic areas and from areas which have been free from infection for more than 25 years. Briefly, the test uses recombinant A. marginale major surface protein 5 peptide (Msp5), immobilized on a cellulose acetate membrane. A serum sample is added to a pad containing a monoclonal antibody specific for bovine IgG(1), conjugated with colloidal gold, located at one end of the strip. The sample and gold conjugate are wicked along the membrane and if antibody is present in the serum, a visible line will form between the Msp5-antibody-conjugate immune complex in minutes. An additional band of recombinant protein A/G was added to the membrane as a positive control reaction of the monoclonal antibody conjugate. For comparison, direct examination of blood smears and a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed on some of the samples. Using samples from herds in one endemic area, the PCR gave a sensitivity value of 9.2% while a commercial competitive enzyme immunoassay (CELISA) gave a sensitivity value of 17.2% and the LFA values of 20.5%. In a second endemic area, selected samples, all positive by direct examination gave a 71.7% sensitivity values with the PCR, 94.5% with the CELISA and 95.5% with the LFA. Using sera from a disease-free area, the specificity values were 100% for the PCR (testing a proportion of randomly selected samples), 99.5% for the CELISA and 98.0% for the LFA. It is envisaged that the validated LFA will be a useful tool for screening cattle moving from an area with infection to a disease-free area.

[Relationship between immune imbalance and sthenia-asthenia syndromes in patients suffering from severe intra-abdominal infection]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the characteristics of immune imbalance in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) induced by severe intra-abdominal infection and its relationship with changing of TCM sthenia-asthenia syndrome.

METHODS

Forty-six patients with MODS induced by severe intra-abdominal infection and treated with etiological and syndrome differentiation of integrative medicine were observed in succession. Patients' peripheral blood levels of interleukin-6/interleukin-10 ratio (IL-6/IL-10), human leukocyte antigen DR site (HLA-DR), helper T lymphocyte1/2 ratio (Th1/Th2), and the regulatory T lymphocyte (Treg) were measured on the 1st, 3rd and 7th day of the research respectively. And the distribution laws of TCM syndrome types, sthenia (S), asthenia (A), and mingled sthenia/asthenia (M), in patients were observed as well.

RESULTS

IL-6/IL-10 ratio at all the testing time points showed insignificant difference in patients of types S and M, while in those of type A, it was more lowered on the 7th day than that on the 1st day. HLA-DR lowered to <30% on the 7th day in all patients of type A and showed significant difference to that on the 1st day (P <0.05), while HLA-DR <30% was not found in all patients of types S and M. Th1/Th2 ratio in patients of types S and A was insignificant different at the foremost 3 days, but lowered significantly on the 7th day, while in patients of type M, it was unchanged in all the 7 days of observation. Treg level was unchanged in the foremost 3 days in patients of types S and M, while in those of type A, it raised on the 3rd day, but no raising was found in the subsequent 4 days. Comparisons of various indexes detected at corresponding time points respectively among patients with various syndrome types showed that, for levels of IL-6/IL-8, HLA-DR, and Th1/Th2, the sequence was S>M>A; and for Treg, it was A>M>S.

CONCLUSION

In the pathological process of MODS induced by severe intra-abdominal infection, the index IL-6/IL-10, reflecting the balance of the pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines and the indexes HLA-DR, Th1/Th2 and Treg reflecting the immune function, all can exactly reflect the TCM asthenia-sthenia syndrome types. The sequence in patients of various syndrome types for levels of IL-6/IL-10, HLA-DR and Th1/Th2, is S> M>A, but for Treg it is the inverse, as A>M>S.

Development of a lateral flow assay for rapid detection of bovine antibody to Anaplasma marginale

A rapid lateral flow assay for detection of bovine antibody to Anaplasma marginale was developed. The assay used a recombinant peptide of major surface protein 5 as the antigen and a monoclonal antibody specific for bovine IgG(1) conjugated with colloidal gold beads for detection. Serum and anticoagulated blood samples were obtained from cattle in an area where anaplasmosis was endemic. The samples were selected based on positive identification of the organism in blood smears. The unclotted blood samples were used for PCR determination of the presence of A. marginale while the sera were tested by a commercial competitive enzyme immunoassay (CELISA) and by the lateral flow assay (LFA). Similar samples, collected at a Canadian sales barn, were tested by the CELISA and LFA and 10% were tested by PCR for the presence of A. marginale nucleic acid. In addition, stored serum samples from a second endemic area were tested by CELISA and LFA. Of the 114 smear positive samples, all were positive by CELISA and LFA. All samples were also positive by PCR. Samples from Canadian sources (n=524) were negative in the CELISA but 11 sera gave false positive reactions in the LFA. All samples tested were PCR negative. Of 113 samples from herds with anaplasmosis, 53 were positive in the CELISA and 50 were LFA positive.

Validation of a second generation competitive enzyme immunoassay (CELISA) for the diagnosis of brucellosis in various species of domestic animals

A second generation competitive enzyme immunoassay (CELISA) for detection of bovine antibody to Brucella abortus was developed to eliminate reagent variables in the assay. This assay was different from earlier CELISA formats in that it used recombinant protein A and protein G immunoglobulin receptors (PAG), labelled with horseradish peroxidase, thus eliminating the requirement for polyclonal anti-mouse-enzyme conjugate for detection. This allowed standardization of the assay. The CELISA uses a monoclonal antibody specific for a common epitope of the O-polysaccharide (OPS) of smooth lipopolysaccharide (SLPS) derived from B. abortus S1119.3. This antibody did not react with PAG. This monoclonal antibody was used to compete with antibody in the bovine test serum to the smooth lipopolysaccharide (SLPS) antigen. Reaction of bovine antibody was then measured directly with the PAG enzyme conjugate. In this case, development of colour in the reaction indicated a positive reaction. The performance characteristics of the new CELISA, sensitivity, specificity and exclusion of antibody of B. abortus S19 vaccinated animals, were very similar to those of the classical CELISA and to the indirect enzyme immunoassay (IELISA) when using sera deemed positive by isolation of the bacterium, either from individual animals or from some animals on the premises. All sera were tested by the buffered antigen plate agglutination test (BPAT) and the complement fixation test (CFT). Only samples positive on both BPAT and CFT were considered as positive and only samples negative on both tests were used considered negative. Sufficient samples from cattle, swine, sheep and goats to validate the test were included based on OIE guidelines suggesting inclusion of a minimum of 300 positive and 1000 negative samples.

Prototype single step lateral flow technology for detection of avian influenza virus and chicken antibody to avian influenza virus

A rapid and effective lateral flow assay (LFA) for detection of avian influenza virus (AIV) was developed. For antigen capture, the assay used monoclonal antibody specific for a conserved nuclear protein (NP) epitope, immobilized on a cellulose acetate matrix, in conjunction with a second NP monoclonal antibody chemically linked to either coloured latex beads or colloidal gold particles contained in a sample pad for detection. Virus sample added to the sample pad flowed into the trapping antibody to form a visible band as well as a second, control band further along the acetate strip. The control band consisted of recombinant protein A/G, also immobilized on the matrix. A second LFA for detection of chicken antibody to AIV was developed where NP antigen was immobilized on the matrix with recombinant protein A/G immobilized as a control band. Latex beads or colloidal gold particles to which monoclonal anti-chicken antibody was attached, were used as the indicator system.