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Chivalry and agility that is also translated as "generosity" have been very important phenomenon in the social history of Iran and surrounding countries and is a spiritual way of life that seems to have its roots in pre-Islamic Iran. They are divided into different categories that are called as ‘caliber’ and ‘brat’ in Persian and Arabic literature, respectively. Caliber was a group that had made ethics and campaign-specific career choice and self-indulgence and brat also defined as impoverished with no money, on the other hand people who had no interest in wealth and joined that house because of poverty and social imbalance. This study relying on comparative literature of American schools that merely doesn’t see the criteria existence of affect and affected attempt to make a comparative study of these two emerging fields within the common social and ethical implications. It seems that the main reason behind the formation of each of two groups was lack of community-based justice and social harmony. The most common social and moral characteristics of the two groups are: clemency; patience in the face of adversity, courage, generosity, support for the poor; combat skills including shooting, fighting, theft and robbery. This article also refers to common moral and social characteristics and examines the reasons behind the rise of the two groups.    

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Background: Rapid test and conventional ELISA are common immunological assays used for the detection of HIV infection. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence rate of   HIV infection by rapid test used for screening HIV infection and then confirmed the positive cases with ELISA and western blot tests.
Materials and Methods: In this analytical descriptive study, 1964 out of 6923 patients who were referred to the Consult Center of Behavior Diseases, West Health Center (Valfajr Clinic), Iran University of Medical Sciences were subjected to rapid test for screening HIV infection from July 2012 to September 2014.
Results: Thirty seven out of 1964(1.88%) cases were confirmed as positive by rapid HIV test. All of the positive cases confirmed by rapid test were also confirmed as positive by ELISA and western blot tests. According to the data analysis of this study, among people diagnosed as HIV positive using rapid test, 12(32.4%) cases had unsafe heterosexual contact, followed by 10 (27%) cases of IDUs with a history of prison, shared injection, and unsafe heterosexual contact.
Conclusion:  The use of rapid test as a screening test for diagnosing HIV infection and the confirmation of all the positive and suspected negative cases by the ELISA test or western blot is recommended. 

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Backgrounds: Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome triggered by an infectious agent and an important cause of admission to intensive care units (ICU), especially in immunodeficient patients. The aim of this study was to determine the spectrum of bacterial etiology and antibacterial susceptibility pattern of sepsis and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Iranian HIV-infected patients.
Materials & Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on HIV/AIDS patients for a period of ten years from January 2005 to January 2015 at two major hospitals in southwestern Iran. Standard microbiological methods were used for the isolation and identification of bacteria from samples. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were done using disk diffusion method.
Findings: Out of 228 samples collected, the frequency of culture-positive blood and urine samples was 23.2% (n = 53) and 9.6% (n=22), respectively. Among culture-positive blood samples, Staphylococcus aureus (N = 17, 32.1%) and Pseudomonas (N = 5, 9.4%) were the main etiologic agents. While among 22 culture-positive urine samples, the predominant bacteria were Enterococci (N = 7, 31.8%) and Escherichia coli (N = 5, 22.7%). Antibacterial susceptibility testing results showed that Gram-positive bacteria were mostly susceptible to vancomycin, rifampin, and co-trimoxazole; meanwhile, Gram-negative bacteria were mostly susceptible against tobramycin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, and aztreonam.
Conclusions: In summary, this study findings highlighted the emergence and spread of opportunistic infections and a high level of antibiotic resistance among HIV-infected patients; therefore, restricted infection control strategies must be pursued in these hospitals.

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The catocala moth, Catocala lesbia lesbia Christoph, 1887, caught in the Ordubad district of the Nakhchivan AR is recorded for the first time for Azerbaijan fauna. A single specimen was collected using UV light trap in 2018.  Geographical distribution of the species is briefly discussed.

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Backgrounds: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cryptococcaemia in HIV infected patients with CD4 counts of ≤100 cells/mm3 in a tertiary care hospital.
Materials & Methods: The present cross sectional study was conducted at the Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Health Sciences and Research, India, as a tertiary care hospital. All HIV infected patients with CD4 counts of ≤100 cells/mm3, referring to the hospital during May 2020 to May 2021 were enrolled in this study. Blood samples taken from patients were processed for wet mounting, negative staining with India ink, gram staining, fungal culture, and cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) lateral flow assay (LFA). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software Version 20.0 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA) by employing Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests to compare categorical variables.
Findings: Out of 100 patients enrolled, 28 (28%) cases had CD4 counts below 50, while 72 (84.7%) patients had CD4 counts in the range of 51-100. Also, 55 patients (55%) received antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 45 (45%) cases were ART naï􀇅ve. About 56% of patients had no opportunistic infections, and 37% had pulmonary tuberculosis. Three samples were positive in LFA, showing a prevalence of 3%, while only one of the culture samples was positive for Cryptococcus species. However, low CD4 count was found to be strongly correlated with positive serum cryptococcal antigenemia.
Conclusion: The present study reveals that cryptococcal antigenemia is a health problem, and that cryptococcal antigen screening and treatment policy recommended by WHO should be performed routinely for HIV patients registered in ART centres in the current setting, especially for those who are ART naï􀇅ve and have CD4 counts of ≤100 cells/mm3.

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Objectives: Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 is the causative agent of Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome “AIDS” in human and demonstration of HIV-1 genome in samples is accepted as evidence of infection. Transmission of Infection during window period in blood transfusion settings is a world wide concern. Also there is a need for a rapid, sensitive and accurate technique to detect HIV-1 infection prior to antibody appearance in patients and new borns. Material and Method: A rapid Visual DNA Chip based on RT-Nested PCR and Enzyme-Substrate detection system was developed. At first a specific RT-Nested PCR was developed and the products were confirmed in gel electrophoresis and the products were labeled with DIG (Digoxigenin). The labeled products were then hybridized with the pre-prepared chip with an anchored specific probe. After the washing procedure an antibody against DIG conjugated with alkaline phosphates enzyme was used. After the second washing procedure the BCIP/NBT substrate was used and development of color was interpreted as positive while the negative samples developed no color. Results: 35 sera samples from different stages of HIV infection (AIDS, Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Infection) as well as 20 confirmed negative sera samples were collected and checked with the developed assay. All the positive samples developed reaction while the negative samples had no reaction. Conclusion: In the current study the developed assay showed high sensitivity and specificity to detect HIV-1 infection. It seems that the viral genome could be detected prior to antibody appearance and hence the window period could be shortened. Also the assay could be used to detect infection in new borns from infected mothers, because the maternal antibody could pass the placenta and antibody based assay have false positive results. Because of the high sensitivity, the developed assay could also detect infection in very low viral load conditions.

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Objective: The global HIV epidemic continues to expand and exceeding previous predictions. An effective vaccine represents the best hope to curtail the HIV epidemic. DNA vaccines induce humoral and cellular responses and mimic live vaccines without their pathogenic potential. The importance of CD8+ CTL responses in controlling HIV and SIV viremia has led to production of a series of vaccine candidates that effectively induce these responses. It is now widely believed that an HIV vaccine strategy must stimulate both a strong humoral (antibody) as well as cell-mediated (CTL) immune response.The p24 and gp41 play many important roles in host-virus interaction and pathogenesis. These proteins are considered as attractive vaccine candidate in which their immunogenecity and immunomodulatory effects have been confirmed. Materials and Methods: In this study, a construct, pcDNA3.1Hygro- (p24-gp41), was evaluated as a DNA vaccine candidate in Balb/C mice for generation of effective cellular immune responses. For immunizing, we used dendrosome, a novel family of vehicles for transfection and therapy. IFN-γ cytokine production and total antibody were detected by ELISA. Lymphoprolifration assay was performed by MTT test. Results: ELISA and MTT assays confirmed that the cited p24-gp41 fusion gene is able to enhance immune responses in mice. Conclusion: The construct that was used in this research can be a good candidate for DNA vaccine against HIV-1, if the future complementary tests demonstrate the same trends of immunogenic responses shown in this study.

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To study the excursion of presence and evolution of chivalrous characters in Persian literature, this article is examined three stories, “Samak e Ayyar”, “Dash Akol” and “Qeidar”, in terms of similarities and differences among characters and characterizations. mentioned stories have been selected because “samak e ayyar” is the first story in which the role of knights (“Ayaran”) is bolder than kings or heroes; “Dash Akol” is the first manly (“Dash Mashti”) character in modern Persian literature and “Qeidar” is the last one. This study indicates that in all three works, the distinction between protagonist and antagonist is clearly distinguished based on chivalry characteristic nevertheless the protagonist in “Samak e Ayyar” and “Dash Akol” is similar to antagonist in terms of facial features and behavioral characteristics while the antagonist of “Qeidar” is different from protagonist in this sense. Furthermore, “Amirkhani” appends the component of belief in Islam to the constitutive elements of chivalry characteristic, however, in spite of facial features, it is fully similar to “Samak e Ayyar” in terms of organizing events toward highlighting typical characteristics of chivalrous character.

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Objective: Despite sensitive antibody based blood donor screening, infection can be transmitted during window period. Therefore sensetive methods bosed on nucleic acid tests (NATs) have been considered. The aim of this project was to design a more sensitive method for detection of PCR products and diagnosis of HIV-1/HCV co-infection accurately. Materials and Methods: After designing specific primers and probes, the Multiplex RT-PCR method was optimized and the PCR products were labeled with Digoxigenin. The PCR product was denatured under alkaline condition and was hybridized with the specific probe that had a biotin at 5' end, and then was added to streptavidin coated wells. After washing an antibody against DIG, conjugated with alkaline phosphates enzyme was used, following second washing, the substrate (ABTS) solution was added to each reaction well. Development of green color shows the positive where as no color shows negative results. Results: 35 samples were tested with the developed method including 27 positive samples, 8 confirmed negative and 4 standard panels. False negative or positive reactions were not observed. Conclusion: This method had acceptable sensitivity and specificity for detecting HCV and HIV-1 infections during window period, also the method can be quantified which can be used for the flow-up and treatment of patients. In addition to the very high sensetivity of the test, it is cost effective and takes less time to performe.

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Objective: Today, AIDS is considered as a global problem and many efforts to generate an effective vaccine against this disease have been made, but remain inconclusive. DNA vaccines are a member of the new generation of vaccines that can efficiently stimulate the immune system. However, recent findings indicate low immunogenicity for these vaccines and it is believed that these types of vaccines require strategies that could infer more immunogenicity. The employment of adjuvants could be considered as one of the most important methods involved. In this study, a DNA vaccine candidate for HIV P24-Nef is constructed and then using genetic adjuvants IL-15 and GM-CSF, cellular immune responses have been studied. Materials and Methods: In this study the gene structure of HIV P24-Nef in eukaryotic expression vector was constructed and expression vectors of IL-15 and GM-CSF were used as adjuvants. After inoculation of the candidate vaccine to BALB/c mice, cytokine patterns, lymphocytes proliferation and cytotoxicity were analyzed. Results: Our findings indicate that candidate vaccine significantly stimulated cellular immune responses. The usage of IL-15 and GM-CSF as DNA adjuvants together and separately with candidate vaccine has strengthened cellular immune responses significantly. Co-administration of DNA adjuvants significantly increased cellular immune responses when the ratio of the vaccine dose was more than the adjuvants. Conclusion: The sequences that we selected as candidate vaccine demonstrated good immunogenicity in mouse model and co-administration of IL-15 and GM-CSF DNA adjuvants increased cellular immune response to DNA vaccine construct.

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Afsoon Ghanbari
. GholamHussein GholamHusseinZadeh. PH.D
Abstract
On the status of chivalric literature, there are differences of opinion in classification of the Farsi literature genres. Some have considered this literary category as a sub-group of epic literature. Some others have referred to chivalric types as novels, while another group has categorized this genre under the heading of common literature. In this article, the assumed compatibility of epic and chivalric literature has been discussed and the relation between these two genres of literature has been studied, while the most important examples of these two groups of Farsi literary texts, namely the collection of poems of the celebrated and acclaimed Iranian poet Ferdowsi, referred to as Shah-Nameh, and the chivalric literary book named “Samak-e Ayyaar” have been selected. Thereafter, the intertextual relations between two books, based on the three foundation, productive, and interpretive oriented approaches have been scrutinized and the bonds between these two exemplary chivalric and epic literary books have been detailed and elaborated. Ultimately, it is concluded that given the meaningful relation between epic and chivalric texts, each of these two genres’ texts are categorized as sub-groups to a more general genre, stated as “heroic epic literature” genre.
 

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Aims: This study aimed to determine the association of socio-demographic, educational, and attitudinal factors with knowledge about HIV/AIDS among young women aged 15-24 in Indonesia.
Methods: This study was a quantitative study with observational analytical and retrospective cohort study design. The data used was secondary data derived from the Individual Recode Dataset (IR File), 2017 Demographic Health Survey (IDHS). A total of 12,632 young women, aged 15 to 24 years, were involved in the study in Indonesia. This study utilized univariate, bivariate (chi-square), and multivariate (binary logistic regression) tests.
Findings: All variables were found to have a significant association with knowledge about HIV/AIDS. The most influential variable was the source of information about AIDS, comparing categories of no information versus more information (p= <0.001, aOR= 2.53, 95%CI= 2.30-2.78).
Conclusion: One way to reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is by increasing comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Therefore, it is essential to enhance knowledge about HIV/AIDS, especially among vulnerable groups such as young women residing in rural areas, with low socioeconomic status, and low levels of education. Hence, the utilization of all available information and the equitable distribution of health facilities are crucial.

 

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Aims: This study aimed to investigate the connection between psychosocial well-being and quality of life among individuals living with HIV/AIDS, considering the influence of the local socio-cultural context.
Instrument & Methods: This research utilized a quantitative design with a cross-sectional methodology. A total of 230 people living with HIV/AIDS selected using an accidental sampling technique were assessed. Data were collected using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-42 to evaluate the psychosocial status and the Quality of Life Brief Scale to measure the quality of life. The relationship between parameters was analyzed using the Chi-square test and multivariate regression analysis.
Findings: There was a notable link between levels of stress, anxiety, and depression and the quality of life among individuals living with HIV/AIDS (p<0.0001). Participants experiencing higher degrees of stress, anxiety, and depression were more likely to have a diminished quality of life. For instance, 78.7% of those with severe anxiety and moderate stress reported a low quality of life, while 84% of respondents suffering from very severe depression also indicated poor quality of life. The univariate analysis highlighted significant associations between moderate stress, very severe depression, and quality of life; however, these connections were not maintained in the multivariate analysis. On the other hand, moderate anxiety consistently showed a significant correlation with quality of life across both univariate and multivariate analyses.
Conclusion: The quality of life of individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Jambi City is significantly influenced by their psychosocial status, including levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.
 

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Objective: Several vaccines against HIV have been investigated but none has been approved as an effective HIV vaccine. An approach that could induce stronger immune response against the pathogen is utilizing a multi-epitopic vaccine. This strategy was used in the design of several vaccines and resulted in improved immune responses. Materials and Methods: In this study a multi-epitopic fusion peptide including parts of HIV-1 Nef and P24 as a vaccine candidate was injected into mice and immune humoral responses measured with total antibody and IgG sub-classes using ELISA. Also measurement of cellular immune responses through evaluation of spleen cells proliferation response using MTT and cytotoxicity by LDH were performed. Finally, the cytokine pattern of IFN-γ and IL-4 were also determined with ELISA. Results: The results indicate that candidate vaccine stimulated mouse splenic lymphocyte proliferation response and also induced strong cytotoxicity responses. Analysis of humoral immune response has shown that the candidate vaccine has induced specific antibody production mainly of the IgG2a sub-class. Also cytokine pattern evaluation has shown that IFN-γ secretion was dominant. Conclusion: The use of immunogen and conserved epitopes from P24 and Nef induced strong humoral and cellular immune responses and this construct could be candidate for further studies in animal models.

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Background:
HIV has at least six regulatory genes among which the Vif protein can control HIV replication. This study, as the first report, investigated the important mutations in VIF protein in sequences from Iranian patients and using immunoinformatics, conserved regions of this protein and B-Cell, T-Cell and CTL epitopes to stimulate the immune system, were determined.
Methods:
VIF sequences were obtained from NCBI GenBank, and tertiary structures, B-Cell, T-Cell and CTL epitopes were predicted by bioinformatics tools; besides, their antigenic and allergenic properties were studied.
Results:
The most prevalent mutations in Vif protein were related to S 49 P (90%), S 140 N and N 186 S (80%). Two substitutions at positions 41 and 42 were introduced which have effect on Vif binding to host factor. In addition, three regions were identified as the best epitope sequences with high potential to induce immune system and the lowest allergic properties, among which 5-32 region was suggested as the best vaccine candidate regions.
Conclusion:
This study as the first study from Iran using immunoinformatics tools to introduced a region with the high potential to induce humoral and cellular immune systems and lowest allergenic properties which can be used for further studies on HIV vaccines. 

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Aims: Nef protein has been considered as an attractive target for the development of therapeutic HIV-1 vaccine. Furthermore, strong immunological properties of heat shock proteins (HSPs) led to their use as for subunit vaccine candidates. In the current study, the generation of Hsp20-Nef fusion protein was performed in E. , and in BALB/c mice.
Materials and Methods: At first, of Hsp20-Nef recombinant protein E. BL21 and Rosetta strains by SDS-PAGE and western blotting using anti-Nef monoclonal antibody. Then, the recombinant protein was purified by a reverse staining method. Finally, its potency was evaluated to elicit antibody response against HIV-1 Nef antigen using indirect ELISA in mice.
Findings: Our data showed a clear band of ~1230bp related to Hsp20-Nef fusion on agarose gel indicating the correct gene cloning in pET28a vector. The expression of Hsp20-Nef protein was confirmed as a clear band of ~47 SDS-PAGE and western blotting. In the immunological assay, the Hsp20-Nef protein and also the Nef protein emulsified with Freund’s adjuvant significantly enhanced the level of total compared to other groups. Moreover, of Hsp20-Nef was higher than Freund’s adjuvant/Nef in protein regimens (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The Hsp20-Nef fusion protein was effectively expressed in E. and significantly induced antibody response against HIV-1 Nef antigen.
 

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