A Search for High-Redshift Radio Galaxies Within the Epoch of Reionization

In this thesis I used a sample of radio galaxies with 1.4GHz radio luminosity, S1.4 > 10mJy, with the aim of finding high-redshift radio galaxies in the Lockman Hole, ELAIS-N1, ELAISN2, XMM-LSS and CDFS using near-infrared data from the Spitzer Space Telescope, and in the VIMOS4/SSA22 field using near-infrared data from the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey Deep Extragalactic Survey (UKIDSS-DXS). I used these near-infrared data to filter out low redshift (z < 2) radio galaxies by only including sources with either a very faint identification or non-detection in the K−band or at 3.6μm. I then applied a radio selection criteria based on the compactness of the radio structure in the FIRST survey, to ensure that it was possible to correctly associate a near-infrared identification if detected. Using these filtering critera I reduced the sample from 498 to 220, and I obtained spectroscopic observations for 46 of these. I successfully measured redshifts for 22 of these. Four of these sources were found to have redshifts at z > 3, thus proving the efficiency of the selection. Using these spectroscopically identified sources I investigated the correlation between radio luminosity and Lyα emission line luminosity and showed that these radio sources lie on the same correlations as their more radio-luminous counterparts, suggesting that accretion rate on to the central supermassive black hole determines the power of the AGN, both in terms of photoionizing radiation and radio power. I also investigated the near infrared properties of the host galaxy for these sources. Studying the 3.6μm magnitude versus redshift, I found that many of the radio galaxies in our sample lie on a similar relation as other powerful radio sources studied by different methods, although in my selection there is a bias to the fainter end of the distribution, likely due to the selection bias that I impose. The selection criteria has led us to report on the discovery of the highest redshift radio galaxy ever found, however the robustness of the redshift should be confirmed by follow up spectroscopy as the source has KAB magnitude of ∼ 20.7 which is in an area of the K − z diagram which makes it consistent with both z∼ 1 (in the case of [Oii]) and z ∼ 5 (in the case of Lyα). Finally I determined the number density of high-redshift sources in my sample at different epochs and show that the SKADS simulation is consistent with our observed radio galaxy sample. Using this knowledge I go on to predict the number of sources for current and future near-infrared surveys, where the future appears very bright for this kind of work

Exploration de la forme miniature et les influences de la musique iranienne à travers mes onze compositions

Ce mémoire se veut une approche analytique des onze œuvres que j’ai composées pendant mes deux années d’études à la maîtrise. Les pièces soumises sont Nostalgie pour quinze musiciens, quatre Miniatures pour piano solo, trois Épilogues pour ensemble de cuivres, deux Bagatelles pour piano, violon et violoncelle, Novelette pour piano, clarinette, violon et violoncelle, Miniature pour clarinette solo ainsi que Novelette pour grand orchestre. Mes œuvres ont été composées afin de mettre en valeur ma compétence compositionnelle avec des formes courtes ainsi que pour intégrer dans mes œuvres des éléments musicaux issus de la musique traditionnelle iranienne. J’ai essayé d’établir une relation entre les éléments traditionnels, comme les modes et les techniques instrumentales de la musique iranienne avec les procédés formels de la musique classique occidentale. Ce projet a ouvert des portes pour la composition musicale et m’a donné une perspective musicale particulière. Ces œuvres ont été écrites pour différentes formations instrumentales. Après une introduction et un premier chapitre consacré à une explication générale du système de la musique traditionnelle iranienne, j’analyserai sur le plan formel mes différentes pièces.This dissertation is an analytical approach to my eleven original works created during two years of my master’s degree. It includes Nostalgia for fifteen musicians, four Miniatures for solo piano, three Epilogues for brass ensemble, two Bagatelles for piano, violin, and cello, Novelette for piano, clarinet, violin, cello, Miniature for solo clarinet, and Novelette for symphonic orchestra. My works have been composed to show my compositional competences on short forms and to integrate in my pieces elements of traditional Iranian music. I tried to establish a relationship between the traditional elements such as Iranian modes, instrumental techniques of Iranian music and the forms of western classical music. This project gave me a new way to composer music and gave me a particular musical perspective. These works have been written for different instruments and ensembles. These works were composed for various instrumental ensembles. After an introduction and a first chapter devoted to the general explanation of the structure of traditional Iranian music, I will present an analysis of the different short forms

Apparent histological changes of adipocytes after treatment with CL 316,243, a β-3-adrenergic receptor agonist

Background and objectives: The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of CL 316,243 (CL) (a highly selective β3-adrenergic receptor agonist) on cellular changes occurring in retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (RWAT) of lean and obese rats.Methods: Ten-month-old lean and obese Zucker rats were implanted subcutaneously with osmotic mini-pumps, infusing either saline or CL (1 mg/kg body weight/day) for 4 weeks. Results: There was no effect of CL on food intake. However, the resting metabolic rate in lean and obese rats increased by 55 and 96 per rat, respectively. Total RWAT weight decreased in both lean and obese rats under influence of CL treatment by 65 and 38, respectively. Total body weight and body fat were lower in CL treated rats. Detection of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in RWAT was confirmed qualitatively by both immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence using a rabbit anti rat UCP1 antibody which showed the appearance of a marked increase of this protein in the adipose tissue. Stained semi-thin sections (0.5 µm) also demonstrated abundant nuclei in multilocular adipocytes, in endothelial cells associated with the vasculature, and in interstitial cells. In CL-treated obese rats, a clustering of several multilocular cells around the periphery of a white adipocyte was seen.Conclusion: These results indicate that treatment of both lean and obese Zucker rats with CL induces extensive remodeling of RWAT that includes shrinkage of white adipose tissue, appearance of abundant multilocular cells in RWAT together with the appearance of a marked increase of UCP, preferentially in lean rats. © 2015 Ghorbani et al

The inhibitory effect of a Lactobacillus acidophilus derived biosurfactant on Serratia marcescens biofilm formation

Objective(s): Serratia marcescens is one of the nosocomial pathogen. The ability to form biofilm is an important feature in the pathogenesis of S. marcescens. The aim of this study was to determine the anti�adhesive properties of a biosurfactant isolated from Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356, on S. marcescens strains. Materials and Methods: Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356, was selected as a probiotic strain to produce biosurfactant. Anti�adhesive activities was determined by pre�coating and co� incubating methods in 96�well culture plates. Results: The FTIR analysis of derived biosurfactant revealed the composition as protein component. Because of the release of such biosurfactants, L. acidophilus was able to interfere with the adhesion and biofilm formation of the S. marcescens strains. In co� incubation method this biosurfactant in 2.5 mg/ml concentration showed anti�adhesive activity against all tested strains of S. marcescens (P<0.05). Conclusion: Our results show anti�adhesive properties of L. acidophilus biosurfactant will be useful against microorganisms responsible for infections in the urinary, vaginal and gastrointestinal tracts, as well as skin, making it a suitable alternative to conventional antibiotics. © 2015, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Transfection of an expressive construct including IgG1 and Fv1 genes in ovary cell line for infliximab expression

Background: Infeliximab is a form of chimeric antibody which neutralizes the most important inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α, in inflammatory disorders. The aim of current study was to pilot expression of chimeric infliximab in Chinese Hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Methods: In this research study, pVITRO2-neo-mcs vector that consist of infliximab light chain and heavy chain was used to transform into the E.coli by CaCl2 method. The plasmid was then purified and transfected to cultured CHO cells by Lipofectamine 2000® (Invitrogen GmbH, Germany). Transfected cells were selected upon G-418 treatment after 2 weeks and the level of expression, based on standard curve, was measured using IgG ELISA kit after 48 hours for each clone. High level expressed clone was then cultured in roller bottles and recombinant chimeric product was purified by protein A affinity chromatography. The purity of the product was analyzed by 10 gel SDS-PAGE from eluted samples. The efficacy of the purification was analyzed by ELISA before and after purification step. This article is a master's student thesis from February 2015 to August 2016 in pharmaceutical technology development center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Results: The purified plasmid was analyzed on 2 agarose gel. After selective pressure of G-418, 10 stable transfect clones were assessed for infliximab secretion by IgG ELISA kit at 450 nm. The maximum and minimum expression which detected by ELISA were 23 ng/ml and 6 ng/ml, respectively. The band width of infliximab fraction during purification procedure was observed at 0.7-0.8 min. The efficiency of the purification by ELISA was 70. On SDS-PAGE analysis, two bands, 25 and 50 kDa, respect to light and heavy chains of Infliximab, was confirmed the expression of recombinant protein. Conclusion: In the current study, the construct for infliximab monoclonal antibody production was designed using genetic engineering techniques and the expression was confirmed by conventional molecular biology methods. The high yield production was carried out in semi-industrial scale using roller bottles with a 70 percentage of purification efficiency. © 2016, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

The Founder Effect? -FXIII Deficiency in Southeast Iran: A Molecular Study Report

Background: Congenital factor XIII (FXIII) deficiency is an extremely rare bleeding disorder (RBD) with different clinical coagulation disorders and great impacts on the perioperative patient outcome. Its prevalence in Southeast Iran is approximately 4,000 times higher than the worldwide prevalence, with Trp187Arg (c.559T&gt; C as the only causative mutation of FXIIID there. We investigated the founder effect of rs1742924, rs4960181, rs3778360 and rs4142290 using haplotype analysis to define the genetic phenomenon in this geographic region. Materials and Methods: In a case-control study, 10 patients with FXIIID and 10 healthy individuals were assessed. Initially, Trp187Arg (c.559T&gt; C) mutation was assessed in all study populations using a PCR-RFLP technique, then haplotype analysis was performed by assessing rs1742924, rs4960181, rs3778360 and rs4142290 polymorphisms. Data were analyzed using a two-proportion z-test. Results: All patients were homozygote for Trp187Arg (c.559T&gt;C), and this mutation was not observed in any form of homozygote or heterozygote in the control group. Polymorphisms in rs1742924, rs4960181, and rs377836 were homozygote (TT, GG, GG, respectively) and T, G, and G alleles distribution in cases and controls with significant difference (P&lt;0.001, P&lt;0.001, and P=0.01 respectively). Rs4142290 polymorphism showed no significant difference between patients and controls (P=0.3). Two types of haplotypes were observed in the case group, and haplotype number 1* was observed among 90% of them, while not observed in the control group. Conclusion: It seems that founder effectors of haplotype number *1 have more antiquity versus other haplotypes, and probably founder effect is responsible for this high prevalence of FXIIID in the southeast of Iran

Autologous fat grafting for treating lipoatrophy secondary to lupus erythematosus panniculitis

AbstractLupus erythematosus panniculitis (LEP) is an uncommon variant of LE and accounts for only 1–3% of cutaneous LE cases. LEP lesions often heal with cutaneous scarring and lipoatrophy resulting in disfigurement. Studies regarding the treatment of permanent lipoatrophy and disfigurement caused by LEP are lacking in the literature. Here, we report our experience with a rare case of lipoatrophy caused by LEP that was treated using autologous fat grafting. A 41-year-old woman presented with indurated, flesh-colored, depressed plaques on both buttocks. After a series of investigations, LEP was diagnosed by a rheumatologist. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a markedly decreased volume of the subcutaneous fatty layer and thickening over the covering cutis. After the inflammatory disease was controlled, we attempted to restore her body contour with autologous fat grafting. We arranged an MRI study after a follow-up period of 12 months. The volume of subcutaneous fat was calculated by integrating cross-sectional area data from consecutive images. The patient was satisfied with her body contour following the injection of 350 mL of fat into the right buttock and 50 mL into the left buttock in a two-stage procedure. No complications were observed following the procedure. Follow-up laboratory results were negative for anti-double-stranded DNA antibody and showed normal complement levels. After a follow-up period of 12 months, no nodules or disease reactivation was noted. The MRI showed a marked improvement in the volume of the subcutaneous fat of the buttock, and the survival ratio of transferred fat was calculated to be 65%. Lipoatrophy secondary to LEP is a rare disease that can cause distress to patients. Autologous fat grafting is a simple, fast, and effective method for alleviating depression deformities in patients with LEP. It has a potentially long-lasting effect in treating patients with permanent lipoatrophy and disfigurement caused by LEP but should be preferably performed only in patients with quiescent disease

Hereditary ataxia with a novel mutation in the Senataxin gene: A case report

Hereditary ataxias (HA) are a group of inherited neurological disorders caused by changes in genes. At least 115 different mutations in the senataxin (SETX) gene causing ataxia have been identified. There are no reports of any SETX gene mutation among the Iranian population. Here we report on two cases with homozygous and heterozygous mutations in which one patient was affected by HA with oculomotor apraxia type 2, and the other was a carrier of the disorder. In 2016, the affected patient was referred to the Biogene Medical and Genetic Laboratory (Tehran, Iran) suffering from imbalance and tremor of both head and body. The coding regions of 18 genes, including the SETX gene, were screened. The target regions were captured using the NimbleGen chip followed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology on the Illumina Hiseq2500 platform. NGS, a DNA sequencing technology, has greatly increased the ability to identify new causes of ataxia; a useful tool for the prevention of primary manifestations and treatment of affected patients. In the present study, a novel mutation in the SETX gene has been identified. © 2019, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Synthesis and characterization of a novel chemically designed (Globo)3–DTPA–KLH antigen

In recent years, many experiments have been conducted for the production and evaluation of anticancer glycoconjugated vaccines in developed countries and many achievements have been accomplished with Globo H derivatives. In the current experiment, a new chemically designed triplicate version of (Globo H)3–diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)–KLH antigen was synthesized and characterized. Immunization with (Globo H)3-DTPA-KLH, a hexasaccharide that is a member of a family of antigenic carbohydrates that are highly expressed in various types of cancers conjugated with DTPA and KLH protein, induced a high level of antibody titer along with an elevated level of IL-4 in mice. Treatment of tumors with the collected sera from immunized mice decreased the tumor size in nude mice as well. None of the immunized mice illustrated any sign of tumor growth after injection of MCF-7 cells compared to the control animals. These findings, based on the newly presented structure of the Globo H antigen, lend exciting and promising evidence for clinical advancement in the development of a therapeutic vaccine in the future

Effects of oral probiotic feeding on toll-like receptor gene expression of the chicken's cecal tonsil

Background: It was proposed that probiotics may influence immune system through direct or indirect exposure. Direct exposure is mostly mediated by surface receptors. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are conserved molecular sensors which could be triggered via some pathogen associated structures, hence, modulate the immune responses. This study was conducted to elucidate the impact of lactobacillus acidophilus as a common probiotic on the expression level of TLRs in the chicken's cecal tonsil. Methods: Thirty one-day-old chicken were selected and separated into three groups as probiotic-fed, dairy-fed and control. In addition to commercial powder supply, each chicken in the probiotic-fed group received 109 CFU/Kg of L. acidophilus daily. While, chickens in the dairy-fed group were provided with commercial powder feed and sterile dairy milk. After 14 and 21 days of oral feeding the cecal tonsil was removed and the expression of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR5 were examined by real-time PCR. Results: At the age of 14-day, there was a slight upregulation in the expression levels of TLR2 (118.9), TLR4 (129.6) and TLR5 (123.7) of the cecal tonsil in the probiotic-fed group; however, these alterations were not statistically significant. At the age of 21-day, a non-significant downregulation was observed in TLR expression level of both dairy-fed (TLR2, 85; TLR4, 79.5; and TLR5, 86.5) and probiotic-fed (TLR2, 88.8; TLR4, 81; and TLR5, 87.2) groups in comparison to controls. Conclusions: The findings revealed that although the probiotic supplementation could be useful but it did not significantly affect innate immunity state through alteration of TLRs