Jorjani Biomedicine Journal

Background and Objectives: Human papilloma virus (HPV) is known as the etiologic agent of cervical cancer and second common cancer among women. HPV viruses with the elevated risk of infection have more potentiality to cause cancer. The carcinogenesis in these viruses is accomplished by oncoproteins such as E7. Employing DNA vaccines which code specific antigens such as E7 is a novel therapeutic approach against such cancers.

Methods: In the present study, plasmid coding HPV16 E7 was administered intracutaneously to C57BL/6 tumoric mice models for investigation of its immunostimulating potential. PcDNA3.1+ vector was used as control vector. After immunization, spleen of animals were removed. Then, release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was evaluated to address the cytotoxic activity (CTL) induced by cellular immunity in spleenocytes. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) cytokines were also analyzed as profiles of Th1 and Th2, respectively. Anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were also investigated in tumor microenvironments.

Results: Our results showed that CTL activity was higher among samples receiving HPV16 E7 coding vector in comparison to the group receiving pcDNA3.1+ control vector (P < 0.05). Levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were also higher in the group receiving HPV16 E7 plasmid in comparison to the control group (P < 0.05). Similarly, IL-10 levels were significantly lower in tumor carrying mice groups receiving HPV16 DNA vaccine compare to PBS and pcDNA3.1 receiving control groups.

Conclusion: HPV16 E7 expressing DNA vaccine could increase the release of LDH due to immune system CTL activity. Elevation in IFN-γ and IL-4 levels as well as IL-10 reduction indicates an increase in both Th1 and Th2 profiles resulted by using potent DNA vaccine coding HPV16 E7 in tumor animal model.

Background and Objectives:  Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of genital cancer among women in developing countries. Addicted women are among the high-risk group of patients who suffer from cervical cancer. Health Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) is one of the theories that emphasizes on fear effects of health risks (such as diseases) on attitudes and health behaviors. Thus, this study was performed to determine the factors associated with cervical cancer screening behavior using PMT on addicted women referring to addiction treatment center of Hamedan in 2015.

Methods: The current study was conducted on 56 addicted women referring to Hannah's Methadone Therapy Counseling Center in June 2015. A researcher-made questionnaire which comprised of three sections (demographics, knowledge and assessment of the PMT constructs) was used to collect data.

The validity of questionnaire was evaluated using content validity method and test-retest test was used to measure reliability. Data were analyzed statistically by SPSS version 16 and using T-test, Chi-Square and ANOVA tests.

Results: The mean age of all participants was 46.48±10.82 years. The average duration of addiction was 8.11±7.22 years. Of all samples, 53.6% had never done any Pap smear test. There was not a  significant relevance between test performance (screening method) and the marital status, income or the last pregnancy method. However, there was a significant relationship between test performance and education (P=0.041), awareness level (P<0.001), structures of motivation (P<0.001), perceived costs (P=0.031), perceived rewards (P=0.001), self-efficacy (P<0.001) and efficient response (P<0.001).

Conclusion: We showed that there was a significant relevance between test performance and the level of awareness and various domains of PMT. Thus, it is recommended that PMT could be used during educational interventions and counseling procedures.