Violated and vulnerable: Women's experiences of contracting a sexually transmitted infection from a male partner

Aims and objectives To explore women's stories of contracting a sexually transmitted infection from a male partner and elucidate the gendered constructs and violence experienced that made the women vulnerable to these infections. Background Violence against women can result in both physical and psychological consequences and expose women to multiple health risks including sexual health adversity. Design Feminist storytelling approach. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 women. All data underwent thematic analysis. Findings Findings from this study revealed the women were vulnerable to contracting sexually transmitted infection/s from their male sexual partners as a result of unequal gender and abusive relationship dynamics. Subsequently, contracting a sexual infection within this context potentially increased their vulnerability in both current and future relationships, through their loss of self-confidence and perceived ability to have a trusting loving heterosexual relationship as women with sexually transmitted infection/s. Conclusion Women in relationships in which they are subordinate to their male partner are at heightened risk of sexual health adversity, including contracting a sexually transmitted infection. Contracting a sexually transmitted infection within the context of an abusive relationship can further increase women's vulnerability to dominant male partners, thus further exposure to sexual risk and adversity. Relevance to clinical practice Nurses working in clinical settings are well placed to conduct opportunistic screening of women's sexual health, including assessment of sexually transmitted infections and the nature of the encounter in which they were contracted. Thorough assessment can potentially identify relationship and personal factors that can increase a woman's risk to both sexual adversity and forms of abuse. Also, if women do divulge that they have suffered abuse, nurses are positioned to provide support and guidance in implementing strategies to minimise risk as well as referring them to specialised services

Pre production planning and leadtime reduction using Six Sigma

Includes bibliographical references

Biodegradable nanoparticle-entrapped vaccine induces cross-protective immune response against a virulent heterologous respiratory viral infection in pigs.

Biodegradable nanoparticle-based vaccine development research is unexplored in large animals and humans. In this study, we illustrated the efficacy of nanoparticle-entrapped UV-killed virus vaccine against an economically important respiratory viral disease of pigs called porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). We entrapped PLGA [poly (lactide-co-glycolides)] nanoparticles with killed PRRSV antigens (Nano-KAg) and detected its phagocytosis by pig alveolar macrophages. Single doses of Nano-KAg vaccine administered intranasally to pigs upregulated innate and PRRSV specific adaptive responses. In a virulent heterologous PRRSV challenge study, Nano-KAg vaccine significantly reduced the lung pathology and viremia, and the viral load in the lungs. Immunologically, enhanced innate and adaptive immune cell population and associated cytokines with decreased secretion of immunosuppressive mediators were observed at both mucosal sites and blood. In summary, we demonstrated the benefits of intranasal delivery of nanoparticle-based viral vaccine in eliciting cross-protective immune response in pigs, a potential large animal model

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Not AvailableCalcium phosphate nanoparticles provide safe and easily manufactured vaccine adjuvant and delivery system for DNA vaccines. In the present study FMDV “O” P1-3CD DNA vaccine was encapsulated in calcium phosphate nanoparticles of size 50–100 nm diameters. The maximum loading and entrapment efficiency of nanoparticles were studied by spectrophotometer, as well as agarose gel electrophoresis. In vitro transfection efficiency of these calcium phosphate nanoparticles was found to be as good as commercial transfecting reagent lipofectamine. In vivo analysis of the calcium phosphate nanoparticle P1-3CD (CaPNP1-3CD) FMDV “O” vaccine in mice and guinea pigs could induce significant cell mediated and humoral immune response. Also, immunized mice and guinea pigs were protected against the challenge virus.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableRNA interference (RNAi) has been used as an effective antiviral strategy for its specific silencing of viral gene expression in mammalian cells. In this study, shRNA targeting two regions of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) i.e. 3D and 5′UTR which are very essential in virus replication were evaluated. The constructs were made using h7K RNA polymerase III promoter. We investigated in vivo inhibitory effect of shRNA on FMDV replication in BHK-21 cells and guinea pigs. The results showed that transfection of 3D shRNA could reduce virus growth by three folds when cells were challenged with 102 TCID50 of FMDV. Pretreated guinea pigs with 3DshRNA were protected 80% with 103 GPID50 of FMDV. As a first report in guinea pigs which are recognized animal model for FMD vaccine potency testing, the study suggests that shRNA could be a viable therapeutic approach to control severity of FMD infection and spread.Not Availabl

3D polymerase gene of foot and mouth disease virus is a potential target for siRNA mediated inhibition of viral replication

296-303Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of the cloven hoofed animals and is a constant threat to animal husbandry industry world over. Control of the disease is difficult in India since conventional vaccination is the only control measure available which sometimes leads to post vaccination outbreaks. Hence alternate therapeutics to control the spread of the disease is the need of the hour, to reduce the severity and loss to livestock industry. RNA interference (RNAi) an antiviral strategy is followed in the present study. We designed four pairs of siRNA oligonucleotides targeting FMDV 3D gene and systematically evaluated the effects of siRNA on FMDV polymerase 3D gene expression and FMDV replication in BHK-21 cells. The study showed that out of four siRNA’s, siRNA 2 delivered by pSIREN vector could inhibit FMDV 3D protein expression in BHK-21 cells and FMD Asia I virus replication was inhibited >80% in vitro cell culture. The results suggest that transient expression of FMDV hairpin RNA is competent to trigger an antiviral response to FMDV in BHK-21 cells

Enhanced PRRSV specific IgA and neutralizing antibody response in Nano-KAg vaccinated virus challenged pigs.

<p>Pigs were unvaccinated or vaccinated, challenged and euthanized as indicated in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0051794#pone-0051794-g003" target="_blank">Fig 3</a> legend. Anti-PRRSV IgA and IgG antibody response in the (A&B) lungs, (D&E) serum, and (G&H) nasal swabs, was determined by ELISA. PRRSV neutralizing antibody response in (C) lungs and (F) serum was determined by immunofluorescence assay. Each bar represents average optical density value or VN titer from three pigs ± SEM. Asterisk represents the statistical significant difference (p<0.05) between K-Ag and Nano-KAg received pig groups, and φ represents the statistical significant difference (p<0.05) between unvaccinated and Nano-KAg received pig groups. A similar trend in results was obtained in an independent second trial performed using same number of animals.</p

Reduction in the immunosuppressive and increased Th1 cytokines response in Nano-KAg vaccinated MN184 challenged pigs.

<p>Pigs were unvaccinated or vaccinated, challenged and euthanized as indicated in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0051794#pone-0051794-g003" target="_blank">Fig 3</a> legend. (A) Lungs MNC were analyzed for Tregs population by flow cytometry. Lung homogenates were analyzed for cytokines: (B) IL-10, (C) TGF-β, and (D) IFN-γ; and harvested culture supernatants from restimulated lung MNC were analyzed for cytokines: (E) IL-10, (F) TGF-β, and (G) IFN-γ by ELISA. Similarly harvested culture supernatants from restimulated PBMC and TBLN MNC were analyzed for cytokines: (H & L) IL-10, (I) TGF-β, (J & M) IFN-γ, and (K & N) IL-6 by ELISA. Each bar represents average values from three pigs ± SEM. Asterisk represents the statistical significant difference (p<0.05) between Nano-KAg and K-Ag received pig groups and φ represents the statistical significant difference (p<0.05) between unvaccinated and Nano-KAg received pig groups. A similar trend in results was obtained in an independent second trial performed using same number of animals.</p