Fazeli Mr, Abbaspour M, Ghahremani Mh, Alimian M, Ilka H, Jamalifar H, Azadi S, Azizi E,
Volume 64, Issue 12 (6 2006)
Abstract
Background: Aluminum salts are common adjuvants in human and animal vaccine preparations. The two adjuvants aluminum phosphate and aluminum hydroxide show acceptable immunoadjuvant properties with many antigens. These two salts have different physicochemical characteristics that make each one suitable for certain antigens. The surface antigen of Hepatitis B (HBsAg) has several antigenic epitopes that bind to aluminum adjuvants by a ligand exchange mechanism. Although HBV vaccines using an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant are available, higher antigenicity is needed for the subgroup of people who do not respond sufficiently to the currently available vaccines.
Methods: A solution of recombinant HBsAg for making different formulations of vaccines with aluminum phosphate (Adju-Phos®) and aluminum hydroxide (Alhydrogel®) adjuvants was obtained from Darupakhsh Pharmaceutical Company. The total protein content, antigenicity, and purity of HBsAg solution were determined using BCA, ELISA, and SDS-PAGE methods, respectively. The different formulations were prepared in the lab and administered i.p. to two test groups of Balb/C mice and a third test group received the Engerix vaccine, which is currently available on the market and uses an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. The control group of animals received the solution without antigen. After 28 days, heart blood samples were collected and serum was separated to determine the antibody titer against HBsAg using an ELISA kit.
Results: This study shows that the vaccine formulated with aluminum phosphate exerted more immunogenicity than both the aluminum hydroxide laboratory formulation and the Engerix vaccines.
Conclusion: Although the results of our study indicate higher immunogenic properties of the vaccine formulated with the aluminum phosphate adjuvant, complementary experiments are needed to further evaluate the biological properties with respect to effectiveness, adverse effects, product stability and finally possibility for manufacturing and distribution of this new formulation as a Hepatitis B vaccine.
Somayeh Abbaspour , Hassan Karimi, Maryam Farzaneh , Zahra Karimi , Shirin Azizidoost ,
Volume 83, Issue 7 (October 2025)
Abstract
Background: The duration of hospitalization of patients is considered an important indicator in health resource management and patient evaluation. This study investigated the frequency and causes of readmission in cardiovascular patients
Methods: This was a retrospective study of 105 patients with cardiovascular diseases referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz who were readmitted from April 2024 until August 2024 within 30 days after discharge due to recurrence of symptoms. Demographic (including age and gender) and clinical information (including duration of hospitalization, regular medication use, regular physician visits, disease diagnosis and dietary adherence) of the patients was extracted from electronic records using a researcher-made checklist.
Results: From 105 patients, 43 (41%) were admitted in the first trimester and 62 (59%) in the second trimester. The mean age of patients in the first trimester was higher than in the second trimester with a statistically significant association with readmission (P=0.038). Most patients were male and their number was higher in the second trimester than in the first trimester and a statistically significant association was observed between the gender of patients with readmission in the first trimester compared to the second trimester (P=0.015). 72 patients with acute coronary syndrome (68.6%) and 33 patients with heart failure (31.4%) were readmitted. The mean length of stay in the first trimester was 1.6 ± 1.15 days and 2.9 ± 2.7 days in the second trimester. A significant association was observed between the duration of hospitalization and readmission (P=0.003). However, no association was observed between regular medication use and regular physician visits in readmitted patients. However, a significant association was observed between dietary adherence in readmitted patients (P=0.045).
Conclusion: Readmission of cardiovascular patients follows a seasonal pattern and is associated with factors such as age, sex, length of stay, and dietary adherence. Routine disease management measures are not sufficient to counteract these effects, and targeted educational programs are necessary at the threshold of high-risk periods.
