The FUG-B2-based vector system can efficiently introduce the transgene into the rat hippocampal neurons both directly and indirectly through retrograde monosynaptic movement. This efficient and long-lasting gene delivery might provide a tool for treating neurological disorders originating in hippocampal circuits.

A nano-liposomal carrier was prepared for the anti-inflammatory drug prednisolone acetate (PA). The drug showed remarkable loading in the nano-carriers. The drug-loaded nano-liposmes with average sizes of about 186 nm and zeta potentials of À20 mV were obtained. Our drug release studies showed an apparently zero-order trend with only 18% of the drug released in the first 120 h. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses showed no chemical interaction between the drug and carrier. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging showed near-spherical drug-containing nanocarriers. The intramuscular (IM) trial of the nanoformulation compared with the free drug showed both pharmacokinetic (lower C max , higher area under the curve (AUC)) and pharmacodynamic (higher and longer lasting anti-inflammatory effect, both macroscopically and biochemically) superiority for the nano-liposomal drug above the free prednisolone in rats.

Background: A human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-based lentiviral vector (LV) pseudotyped by a variant of rabies envelope glycoprotein, FUG-B2, has previously been prepared and used in transfection of hippocampal CA1 ("Cornu Ammonis" area 1) neurons. This study aimed to verify reactive gliosis and neuronal damage after injection of the vector into the rat hippocampus. Methods: HEK 293T cells were transfected with transfer (fck-Jaws-GFP-ER2), envelope (FUG-B2), and packaging (pMDLg/pRRE, pRSV-Rev) plasmids, and the vector was injected into CA1 of the rat hippocampus. After one week, transduction efficiency, and the number of neuronal and astroglial cells were determined in CA1 and CA3 by double staining of the brain slices. Results: Hippocampal cells were successfully transfected as 92.7% of CA1 and 95.8% of CA3 neuronal cells expressed GFP. The frequency of neuronal and astroglial cells in CA1 and CA3 of the vector-injected rats remained unchanged compared to those in the control and the saline-injected rats. Furthermore, no morphological change was found in hippocampal astrocytes and neuronal cells. Conclusion: The HIV-1-based LV pseudotyped by FUG-B2 is safe and does not cause neuroinflammation and neuronal loss once directly delivered into the rat hippocampus.

Background: Considering the shortcomings of the government and donors' background, public participation in the development of the healthcare system is an essential strategy in national social development. The present study aimed to evaluate the influential factors in donor participation. Methods: This applied, descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 230 donors in Iran during 2018-2019. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire, and its internal consistency was evaluated using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 26. Results: In total, 70.9% of the participants were male, and the remaining were female. Self-employment was reported in 59.2% of the participants, and the others were government employees. The most significant correlations were observed between volunteering (r = 0.776) and religious beliefs (r = 0.644) with donor participation, while the least significant correlation was between social awareness and donor participation (r = 0.121). No significant associations were denoted between education level, income status, and donor participation. Conclusion: According to the results, the most important influential factors in donor participation were volunteerism and religious beliefs. Therefore, it is recommended that policymakers and decision-makers pay special attention to the importance of donor activities in the healthcare system.