Unified Octonionic Representation of the 10-13 Dimensional Clifford Algebra

We give a one dimensional octonionic representation of the different Clifford algebra Cliff(5,5)\sim Cliff(9,1), Cliff(6,6)\sim Cliff(10,2) and lastly Cliff(7,6)\sim Cliff(10,3) which can be given by (8x8) real matrices taking into account some suitable manipulation rules.Comment: RevTex file, 19 pages, to be published in Int. J. of Mod. Phys.

On dynamical net-charge fluctuations within a hadron resonance gas approach

The dynamical net-charge fluctuations (${\nu}_{dyn}$) in different particle ratios $K/{\pi}$, $K/p$, and $p/{\pi}$ are calculated from the hadron resonance gas (HRG) model and compared with STAR central Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=7.7-200~$GeV and NA49 central Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=6.3-17.3~$GeV. The three charged-particle ratios ($K/{\pi}$, $K/p$, and $p/{\pi}$) are determined as total and average of opposite and average of same charges. We find an excellent agreement between the HRG calculations and the experimental measurements, especially from STAR beam energy scan (BES) program, while the strange particles in the NA49 experiment at lower Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) energies are not reproduced by the HRG approach. We conclude that the utilized HRG version seems to take into consideration various types of correlations including strong interactions through the heavy resonances and their decays especially at BES energies.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in Advances in High Energy Physic

Cytokines and growth factors in Duchene muscular dystrophy patients

Introduction: Dystrophin deficiency associated with Duchene muscular dystrophy (DMD) results in chronic inflammation and severe skeletal muscle degeneration, where the extent of muscle fibrosis contributes to disease severity. The microenvironment of dystrophic muscles is associated with variation in levels of cytokine and growth factors. Most of the current researches test for such cytokines and growth factors in tissue biopsies, which is an invasive technique. The Aim: Of the present study is to investigate whether cytokines and growth factors, as indicators of inflammatory response, can be detected in blood of DMD patients as non-invasive technique. Patient and Methods: Accordingly the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNF TNF-α), as well as the growth factors basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured in blood of 24 boys with DMD diagnosed clinically and at the molecular level versus 20 age matching healthy boys. Results: Showed a significant increases in TNF-ά (30.2 ± 9.5 vs. 3.6 ± 0.9 pg/ ml) and bFGF (21.7 ± 10.3 vs. 4.75 ± 2.2 pg/ml.), while VEGF was significantly decreased (190 ± 115 vs. 210 ± 142 pg/ml) in blood of DMD patients compared to controls. Conclusion: Results provide further proof that inflammatory response is associated with DMD pathogenesis and favours the use of biomarkers in blood of such patients as a non invasive technique. Keywords:(basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), duchene muscular dystrophy, necrosis factor alfa (TNF TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)).Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics Vol. 9 (2) 2008: pp. 181-18

Assessment of immune function in Down syndrome patients

In Down syndrome (DS), trisomy 21 leads to overexpression of gene coding for specific enzymes. This overexpression translates directly into biochemical aberrations that affect multiple interacting metabolic pathways which culminates in cellular dysfunction and contributes to the unique pathogenesis of DS. The aim of this study is to evaluate parameters of immune response in terms of cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and interlukin-2 (IL-2)] together with the quantitative expression of cystathionine beta synthase (CBS), whose transsulfuration pathway generates cysteine and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). H2S is known to boost host defense at physiological concentrations and to display cytotoxic activity at higher concentrations. Calcineurin activity (CAN) was also measured as its dysregulation has been shown to cause immune  suppression. Subjects were 60 DS patients vs. 30 age and socioeconomic matching healthy controls. In their blood, the cytokines: TNF-a and IL-2, together with CBS and its by product H2S as well as CAN activity, were measured. Results showed that CBSmRNA relative expression (0.56± .06 vs. 0.32 ± .02), plasma H2S (72 ±8.5 vs. 50.8 ± 4.1) and TNF-a (8.11 ± .01 vs. 3.6± 0.9) were significantly higher among DS patients compared to controls, while CAN (0.27 ± 0.1 vs. 0.45 ±0.2 units), was significantly decreased in blood of DS patients compared to controls. IL-2 (36.4 ± 2.6 vs. 37.4 ±0.9) showed no significant difference between DS patients and controls. Accordingly it can be concluded that excessive synthesis of multiple gene products derived from overexpression of the genes present on chromosome 21 may be the cause for decreased immunity in DS patients compared to controls