Large-group one-session treatments (LG-OSTs) might represent a promising treatment tool as increasing evidence suggests their effectiveness in individuals with different situational fears. In the present study, we explored feasibility and effectiveness of an exposure-based LG-OST protocol applying applied tension and diaphragmatic breathing as coping strategies in a sample of 40 individuals, highly fearful of blood-injury-injection (BII). We assessed participants' BII-fear using questionnaires and a behavioral approach test (BAT) before and after treatment, consisting of a blood-drawing procedure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDevelopment of neutralizing antibodies is an important hindrance that limits repeated administration of adenoviral vectors for gene transfer. One way to avoid this problem would be to coat the virus with a substance that could shield it from antibodies. To develop such a system, we coated negatively-charged adenovirus with the cationic lipid GL-67 and included polyethylene glycol (PEG) in the complex as dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine-PEG (DOPE-PEG).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Purpose: Improvement of efficiency of gene transfer to endothelium could be useful for several applications. We tested the hypothesis that cationic nonviral molecules augment adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to blood vessels, perhaps by alteration of the surface charge of adenovirus and facilitation of binding to endothelium.
Methods: Carotid arteries from rabbits were incubated in vitro for 0.
Recombinant adenovirus (Ad) vectors are being considered for in vivo delivery of various therapeutic genes. One limiting factor in the development of Ad-based gene therapy is the low efficiency of gene transfer to target tissues such as vascular endothelium, smooth muscle, and airway epithelium. Complexing Ad vector with various polycations has been shown to enhance transduction of cell lines otherwise resistant to Ad infection in vitro.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdenovirus (Ad)-mediated gene transfer to airway epithelia is inefficient because the apical membrane lacks the receptor activity to bind adenovirus fiber protein. Calcium phosphate (CaPi) precipitates have been used to deliver plasmid DNA to cultured cell lines. However, such precipitates are not effective in many primary cultures or in vivo.
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