In general, gene therapy is the transfer of a genetic material to treat a disease, or at least to improve the clinical status of a patient. One way gene therapy works is to turn viruses into genetic vectors that carry the gene of interest to the target cells. Based on the genome's nature, these vectors are divided into RNA-based or DNA-based viral vectors. Most RNA-based vectors are derived from simple retroviruses, such as the murine leukemia virus. One major drawback of these viruses is that they are not transferred to non-dividing cells (post-mitotic cells). This problem can be solved by using new retroviral vectors derived from lentiviruses, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). DNA-based vectors originate from adeno-viruses and adeno-associated viruses (AAVs). An example of gene deletion due to gene therapy is the deletion of the human CCR5 gene in T cells (which control HIV infection). Although available vector systems have the ability to transfer genes to living cells (in the human body), an ideal vector for gene delivery has not yet been found. Therefore, the current viral vectors should be used with great caution in human cases. Moreover, the development of new vectors is necessary.
Background and Objectives: The number of patients inflicted with AIDS is on a growing trend in Iran, and one of the routes of disease transmission is the infection of sharps that are used for different people without disinfection. This study was designed to evaluate the performance of male barbers regarding AIDS prevention based on the Health Belief Model in Fasa, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 on 220 male barbers working in Fasa, Iran. The participants were chosen through random multi-stage sampling. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire including demographic data, knowledge, and constructs of the Health Belief Model using self-report. To analyze the data, linear regression was run in SPSS, version 18. Results: Our findings showed that among the participants, knowledge was good, perceived sensitivity was moderate, perceived severity was low, perceived benefits were high, perceived barriers were low, and practice was at a good level. Knowledge, perceived sensitivity, and perceived benefits constructs were predictors of barbers' performance in preventing AIDS. In general, 31.5% of variance predicted performance variables. Conclusions: Regarding the results of this study, by appropriate planning for raising awareness, perceived sensitivity, and perceived benefits regarding AIDS, barbers' performance can be enhances, which is essential for preventing and controlling AIDS.
Background
Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a dangerous viral disease, infecting a broad range of birds, and has a fatal effect on the poultry industries. The attachment and consequently fusion of the virus to the host cell membrane is directed by the two superficial glycoproteins, the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and the fusion (F) which is considered as the important targets for the poultry immune response.
Objectives
The principal goal of this investigation was to realize the potential efficacy of the
E. coli
expression system for the production of the multi-epitopic HN, and F proteins with respect to the ability for the stimulation of the immune system and production of the cross-reactive antibodies in mice.
Materials and Methods
The recombinant HN and F (rHN, rF) have accumulated almost 40% of the total bacterial proteins. The presence of rHN and rF proteins recognized by the Western blotting with specific anti-HN, anti-F, anti-Newcastle B1, and anti-poly 6x His-tag antibodies. Furthermore, both rHN and rF have shown the specific reactivity against the Newcastle B1 antiserum as a standard strain.
Results
The ELISA analysis showed that the higher dilutions of the antibody against Newcastle B1 could react with the as least quantity as 100 ng of the purified rHN, and rF. Cross-reactivity analysis of the sera from the mice immunized with Newcastle B1 in two time points indicated that the raise of anti-Newcastle B1, anti-HN and anti-F antibodies peaked at 28 days post immunization (dpi). Moreover, temporal variation in IgG titration between both time points was significant at 5% probability level.
Conclusion
The results provided valuable information about the cross-reactivity patterns and biological activity of the multi-epitopic proteins compared to the NDV standard strain which was determined by the Western blotting and ELISA.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.