Induction of strong and specific humoral and T-helper 1 cellular responses by HBsAg entrapped in the Methanobrevibacter smithii archaeosomes

Application of adjuvants with microbial origins is a recently highlighted approach in the vaccinology trials. Archaeosomes are among these microbial compounds with both adjuvant and liposomal activities and features. In the present study, recombinant HBsAg encapsulated into Methanobrevibacter smithii [M. smithii] archaeosomes. Balb/c mice immunized with this compound and humoral and cytokine secretion pattern of immunized models analyzed. Frequency of IFN-gamma secreting cells in the HBsAg-containing archaeosomes group was significantly higher than HBsAg and HBsAg+C/IFA groups [p

Optimization of human immunodeficiency virus type one replication assay using single cycle replicable virions

HIV virions with replication capacity are needed for HIV researches, like investigating for new anti HIV agents. Here HIV-1 replication assay was optimized with HIV-1 single cycle replicable [SCR] virions to improve biological safety condition. pSPAX2, pmzNL4-3 and pMD2G plasmids were co-transfected to the HEK293T by using polyfect reagent to produce the SCR HIV-1 virions. Virions were quantified using capture ELISA P24. Different MOI of SCR virions were used for infecting of Target cells [HEK] and the load of the supernatant P24 was monitored days after infection. Single cycle replication assay [SCRA] was developed using kinetic studies data. The P24 load of the infected cells supernatant has linear relation to the beginning infectious MOI. 24 hours post infection with HIV-1 SCR virions the viral particle production was detectable. The highest load of P24 in infected cells supernatant was detected 48 hours after infection. Using this developed method, the 50 and 95 percent inhibitory concentration of [IC[95] and IC[50]] Indinavir and Nevirapine were calculated as 25nM and 50nM. In this study, using SCR HIV-1 virions the SCRA was developed. SCR HIV-1 virions are replicable only for one cycle and this improves the safety of developed assays. The accuracy of assay was examined by quantifying the anti HIV-1 potential of two commercial anti-AIDS drugs and the calculated activity for test agents was equal to previously known amounts

[Production and physicochemical evaluation of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A outer vesicle as a vaccine candidate]

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A Polysaccharides vaccines have been available for many years, but these vaccines have many disadvantages due to their induction of T-Cell independent responses. To overcome these problems, many researches have been focused on other parts of bacterial cell component such as OMV [Outer membrane vesicle]. In this study, OMV containing PorA were extracted and evaluated by biological and immunological methods. OMV were extracted by siadat, et al method. Physicochemical properties of extracted OMV were analyzed by electron microscopy and SDS-page. The toxicity of LPS content in OMV was assayed by LAL test. The Presence of PorA was confirmed by western blot. Antibodies synthesis after immunization by OMV was evaluated using ELISA method. The content of extracted protein was 0.1 mg/ml. Size of OMV was between 50 and 150 nanometer. SDS-PAGE showed that PorA was located in 35-40 kDa. LAL test showed that the endotoxin activity was ranged in 126EU/ml which is safe for using. The ELISA test showed that the total IgG titer was elevated after first injection. The results showed that the conformation of extracted OMV was stable, and there were no progeny determinants in OMV. Also, OMV elicited high level of specific antibodies against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A. These results indicate that the OMV can be used as a meningococcal vaccine after further investigations

[Using parametric and non-parametric methods to estimate the pattern of the age at natural menopause based on prevalence data]

Various studies have reported different ages of menopause in Iran, from 46 to 51 years. This broad range of age at menopause cannot be attributed solely to the difference between women of different regions, but could also be related to methodological problems. The model of menopausal age could be estimated by a cohort study or a cross-sectional survey and each method has advantages and disadvantages. In cross-sectional studies, the target is only the status of menstruation for each woman, such that the prevalence of menopause can be calculated in each age group. Therefore, the pattern of the age at menopause cannot be estimated using the prevalence data. For estimating the patterns of the age at natural menopause and its characteristics, parametric and non-parametric methods were utilized and the data from the survey: "Estimating the pattern of the age at natural menopause and its effective factors in Semnan" was used to illustrate these two methods. In that survey, during the year 2007, 3545 urban and rural women were randomly selected and their status in terms of menopause was asked, then by excluding abnormal menopause, 3404 had been selected for the study. The pattern of menopause age was obtained with the help of generalized linear models [GLM] with parametric base and compared with non-parametric method in which the probability distribution is estimated empirically. By applying and comparing the two parametric and non-parametric methods the method that provides better natural menopause age model was clarified. Although there were not many differences between the estimated values in the different models, but the log-log model provided a more accurate estimation than the two-parametric, logistic and probit models and its results were similar to the non-parametric model. It seems, logistic model is more appropriate than other models to estimate the pattern of the age at natural menopause, although further research is needed

[ pattern of the age at natural menopause in Semnan Province, Iran]

To study the pattern of age at menopause in Semnan Province, Iran. A total 3545 women, 30 years or older, were selected using a cluster random sampling method and interviewed to fill out a questionnaire. Since the object of the study was determination of the pattern of age at natural menopause, some cases with abnormal, operative and so on, ignored and finally 3404 women were enrolled in the study and the pattern of the age at menopause was estimated using prevalence of menopause in each age group. The total mean and median of age at natural menopause were 52.40 5.02 and 50.40, respectively. Increasing of menopause was slow from age 30 to 43, but its speed increased until 55 years old, then decreased slowly. compared to the other regions of Iran, the mean of age at natural menopause in Semnan seems higher