HIV- assay

The tools have recently been compared and evaluated in the context of molecule mining.1111 Worlein el al. reimplemented all four methods (same code base, programming expertise and optimization effort). Benchmarks were carried out on a comprehensive set of graph databases, including molecular databases. The molecular databases used were the IC93 (1283 compounds),1121 the HIV assays 1999 (42 689 compounds)1131 and the NCI (237 771 compounds).1141... 

HIV assay, dtp.nci.nih.gov/docs/aids/aids data.html. 

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an aqueous extract from a Philippine Islands collection of the soft coral Lohophytum spp. yielded cembranoid diterpenes, Fig. (3), which exhibited moderate HIV-inhibitory activity in a cell-based in vitro anti-HIV assay [44], while new isomalabaricane triterpenes. Fig. (4), have been isolated from the sponge Stelletta spp. [45]. Other anti-HIV diterpenes also included the dolabellane diterpenes isolated from the Brazilian brown algae Dictyota pfaffi [46] and Dictyota menstrualis [47]. To investigate the effect of these diterpenes in the reverse transcription of the viral genomic RNA, the recombinant HIV-1 RT was assayed in vitro in the presence of each compound. All compounds inhibited the RNA-dependent DNA-polymerase activity of HIV-1 RT and consequently virus replication. 

The research formats presently used in clinical reference laboratories employ complex interpretation schemes, though they have been streamlined to be as decisive as is practical. Compatible with traditional interpretation, the first decision to be made is whether the test is valid through examination of the control results. PCR tests may include controls to test for sample preparation, amplification, and the detection of the amplified DNA. Additionally, for each patient specimen, an internal amplification control (e.g., for normal and mutant genes) may be included. Table 6 lists one interpretation scheme for an HIV assay wherein one primer pair and probe are used in the test and the decision is based on replicate testing. 

It was demonstrated that for HIV assay, an immunoassay technique assures the minimum level of uncertainty.318 Immunoassay techniques have become popular also for assay of pharmaceutical products because of their higher selectivity. 

Studies have demonstrated that one such method is to examine the effects of disinfectants on endogenous RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (i.e. reverse transcriptase) activity. In essence, HIV is an RNA virus after it enters a cell the RNA is converted to DNA under the influence of reverse transcriptase. The virus induces a cytopathic effect on T lymphocytes, and in the assay reverse transcriptase activity is determined after exposure to different concentrations of various disinfectants. However, it has been suggested that monitoring residual viral reverse transcriptase activity is not a satisfactory alternative to tests whereby infectious HIV can be detected in systems employing fresh human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. 

HIV diagnosis is made either by a positive HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or rapid test (these tests may be positive as soon as 3 to 6 weeks after infection) and then confirmed by a positive confirmatory test, usually the HIV Western blot (Table 84-1). 

HIV RNA assay Up to 14 days Plasma Obtain if recent high-risk exposure if initially negative, repeat at months 1, 3, and 6... 

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