Quantum Phase Transition in the One-Dimensional Extended Quantum Compass Model in a Transverse Field

Quantum phase transitions in the one-dimensional extended quantum compass model in transverse field are studied by using the Jordan-Wigner transformation. This model is always gapful except at the critical surfaces where the energy gap disappears. We obtain the analytic expressions of all critical fields which drive quantum phase transitions. This model shows a rich phase diagram which includes spin-flop, strip antiferromagnetic and saturate ferromagnetic phases in addition to the phase with anti parallel ordering of spin $y$ component on odd bonds. However we study the universality and scaling properties of the transverse susceptibility and nearest-neighbor correlation functions derivatives in different regions to confirm the results obtained using the energy gap analysis.Comment: 8 Page, 15 Figure

Schwannoma of T12 Vertebra: Case Report and Review of Literature

We report a case of schwannoma of the twelfth thoracic vertebra that presented with paraparesis. The tumour was excised, and posterior and anterior stabilisation was performed. Eighteenmonths following this procedure, the patient has solid bony union, satisfactory neurological improvement and no recurrence

Analysis of gene expression patterns by microarray hybridization in blood mononuclear cells of SLA-DRB1 defined Canadian Yorkshire pigs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Swine Leukocyte Antigen (SLA) system encodes molecules for self-nonself discrimination and is associated with immune responses and disease resistance. Three lines of pigs defined by their SLA-DRB1 alleles were developed at the University of Guelph for xenotransplantation and immune response studies. The aim of this project was to explore the potential association between defined SLA-DRB1 alleles and gene transcriptional patterns of other immune-related genes in blood mononuclear cells.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Three SLA-DRB1 alleles were characterized using a RT-PCR-based sequencing method. The loci represented included a new allele, DRB1*04ns01. Next, microarray heterologous (bovine-porcine) hybridization together with qPCR were used to explore differential gene expression between SLA-DRB1-defined groups. Microarray analysis showed significant (p < 0.01) differential expression for 5 genes, mostly related to inflammation. Genes varied according to the comparison analyzed. Further testing with qPCR revealed the same trend of differential expression for 4 of the genes, although statistical significance was reached for only one.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A new SLA-DRB1 allele was characterized. A potential association was found between SLA-DRB1 alleles and inflammation-related genes. However, the influence of other genes cannot be ruled out. These preliminary findings agree with other studies linking MHC haplotypes and inflammation processes, including autoimmune disease. The study provides an initial view of the biological interactions between the SLA complex and other immune-related genes. Future studies will focus on characterization of SLA-haplotypes associated with these particular alleles and the dynamics of the immune response to antigenic challenges.</p

Gonads tissue changes of Chalcalburnus mossulensis (Heckel, 1843) infected by Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda)

Chalcalburnus mossulensis from the cyprinidae family is one of the indigenous fish in Gheshlagh Lake of Kordestan, Iran. Ligula intestinalis is one of the infective parasites among various species of fish and causes gonads atrophy. In this study, after detection of species and age of samples, the effects of this parasite on gonads tissues and sexual maturation of Chalcalburnus mossulensis were investigated. By seasonal sampling 144 samples were collected. After investigatiing gonad tissue samples, it was clear that, there is a significant difference between the means of male and female gonads maturation rate in infected and non infected samples (p< 0.05). Infection by Ligula intestinalis can be the reason for lack of gonads maturation. In addition, the abnormal degenerative changes like, absorption follicle, hemorrhage and infiltration of inflammation cells in ovary tissues of infected fish were seen. In testicle tissue, dispersed hemorrhage, atrophy and MMC (melano-macrophage center) were seen as pathological signs. So the spread of this parasite in different water sources is important as the point the maintenance of native species and cultivated fish

Detection and identification of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) of Litopenaus vannamei from Bushehr and Sistan and Baloochestan provinces (Iran), during 2009-2010

The first time the white spot disease (WSD) and IHHNV were reported in Iran was in 2004 and 2008, respectively in Bushehr Province. In Sistan and Balochestan province only the WSD was reported in 2008.The aim of this study was detecting these two viral diseases in these provinces, during December 2009 to April 2010. A total of 364 samples were collected according to suspected gross signs from hatcheries and shrimp farms in Bushehr and Sistan and Blochestan provinces (I.R. Iran) respectively, including larvae (72, 43 samples), post larvae (48, 37 samples), juveniles (57, 32 samples), sub adults (39, 22 samples) and broodstock (29, 13 samples) of Litopenaus vannamei . WSD was detected from juveniles (23 samples), sub adults (14 samples), and broodstock (14 samples), and IHHNV was also detected from juveniles (16 samples), sub adults (9 samples) and broodstock (5 samples) based on gross signs, PCR and histopathological changes from Bushehr province but from Sistan and Blochestan province only WSD was detected from juveniles (26 samples), sub adults (18 samples) and broodstock (7 samples). Histopathological observations of WSSV showed basophilic Cowdry type A inclusion bodies in all tissues such as gills, haematopoietic tissue, cuticle epithelium, lymphoid organ and connective tissue. However histologically, the hepatopancreas tissue showed vacuolization of B cells , without inclusion bodies, but histopatholgical changes caused IHHNV including eosinophilic Cowdry type A inclusion bodies which were ectodermal, mesodermal and rarely endodermal

Isolation of a 60 kDa protein with in vitro anticancer activity against human cancer cell lines from the purple fluid of the Persian Gulf sea hare, Aplysia dactylomela

Sea hares have greatly attracted the interest of all those investigating chemical defense substances. Most of these substances are low molecular weight compounds derived from algal diets. In vitroanticancer effect of a 60 kDa protein isolated from the purple fluid of Aplysia dactylomela on four human cancer cell lines was investigated in this study. A 60 kDa protein was purified from secreted purple fluid of A. dactylomela, a sea hare from Persian Gulf. The protein purification procedure consisted basically of ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion exchange chromatography using DEAE– Sepharose and ultra-filtration method. In vitro antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity of the protein ofinterest were evaluated on L929, K562, HL60 and NB4 human cancer cell lines. The antiproliferative and cytotxic effects of 60 kDa protein on human cancer cell lines were measured by MTT assay. Resultsshowed that the 60 kDa protein of the purple fluid of A. dactylomela exhibited the antiproliferative effect on human cancer cell lines, especially on NB4 cell line. It was maximally active at 0.5 – 1.5 ìg/ml on NB4 cell line. Interestingly, the protein did not show significant cytotoxic effects