Identification of a new HIV-1 circulating recombinant form (CRF159_01103) derived from CRF103_01B and CRF01_AE in Hebei Province, China.

Recombinant HIV-1 genomes identified in three or more epidemiological unrelated individuals are defined as circulating recombinant forms (CRFs). CRFs can further recombine with other pure subtypes or recombinants to produce secondary recombinants. In this study, a new HIV-1 intersubtype CRF, designated CRF159_01103, isolated from three men who have sex with men with no epidemiological linkage, was identified in Baoding city, Hebei Province, China. CRF159_01103 was derived from CRF103_01B and CRF01_AE. Bayesian molecular clock analysis was performed on the CRF01-AE and CRF103_01B regions of CRF159_01103. The time of origin of CRF159_01103 was predicted to be 2018-2019, indicating that it is a recent recombinant virus. The emergence of CRF159_01103 has increased the complexity of the HIV-1 epidemic in Hebei Province.

Identification of the Near Full-length Genome of a Novel HIV-1 CRF01_AE/CRF07_BC Recombinant with a Complex Genomic Structure Isolated in Hebei Province, China.

BACKGROUND: During HIV genotypic drug resistance testing of patient samples in Baoding, Hebei Province, China, in 2022, a recombinant fragment was detected in the pol region of an HIV-1 strain. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to analyze the near full-length genome of a novel HIV-1 CRF01_AE/CRF07_BC recombinant with a complex genomic structure. METHODS: Viral RNA was extracted from the blood of the infected individual and reverse transcribed to cDNA. Two overlapping segments of the HIV-1 genome were amplified using a nearendpoint dilution method and sequenced. Recombinant breakpoints were determined using RIP, jpHMM, and SimPlot 3.5.1 software. MEGA 6.0 software was used to construct a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree. RESULTS: We obtained the near full-length genome sequence (8680 bp) of a novel HIV-1 CRF01_AE/CRF07_BC recombinant. Recombination analysis showed that the genome comprised at least 12 overlapping segments, including six CRF07_BC and six CRF01_AE segments, with CRF07_BC as the backbone. The emergence of CRF01_AE/CRF07_BC recombinant strains indicated that HIV-1 co-infection is common. However, the increasing genetic complexity of the HIV-1 epidemic in China warrants continued investigation. CONCLUSION: The increase in CRF01_AE/CRF07_BC recombinant viruses suggests that HIV-1 has a high genetic mutation rate in Hebei, China. This highlights the need for close monitoring of HIV-1 molecular epidemiologic changes to provide accurate, up-to-date information for effective disease control.

Poly(hydroxybutyrate)/cellulose acetate blend nanofiber scaffolds: Preparation, characterization and cytocompatibility.

Poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)/cellulose acetate (CA) blend nanofiber scaffolds were fabricated by electrospinning using the blends of chloroform and DMF as solvent. The blend nanofiber scaffolds were characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, DSC, contact angle and tensile test. The blend nanofibers exhibited cylindrical, uniform, bead-free and random orientation with the diameter ranged from 80-680 nm. The scaffolds had very well interconnected porous fibrous network structure and large aspect surface areas. It was found that the presence of CA affected the crystallization of PHB due to formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, which restricted the preferential orientation of PHB molecules. The DSC result showed that the PHB and CA were miscible in the blend nanofiber. An increase in the glass transition temperature was observed with increasing CA content. Additionally, the mechanical properties of blend nanofiber scaffolds were largely influenced by the weight ratio of PHB/CA. The tensile strength, yield strength and elongation at break of the blend nanofiber scaffolds increased from 3.3 ± 0.35 MPa, 2.8 ± 0.26 MPa, and 8 ± 0.77% to 5.05 ± 0.52 MPa, 4.6 ± 0.82 MPa, and 17.6 ± 1.24% by increasing PHB content from 60% to 90%, respectively. The water contact angle of blend nanofiber scaffolds decreased about 50% from 112 ± 2.1° to 60 ± 0.75°. The biodegradability was evaluated by in vitro degradation test and the results revealed that the blend nanofiber scaffolds showed much higher degradation rates than the neat PHB. The cytocompatibility of the blend nanofiber scaffolds was preliminarily evaluated by cell adhesion studies. The cells incubated with PHB/CA blend nanofiber scaffold for 48 h were capable of forming cell adhesion and proliferation. It showed much better biocompatibility than pure PHB film. Thus, the prepared PHB/CA blend nanofiber scaffolds are bioactive and may be more suitable for cell proliferation suggesting that these scaffolds can be used for wound dressing or tissue-engineering scaffolds.