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Objective: β-thalassemia is caused by absence or reduction of β-globin chain synthesis. One of the effective therapeutic methods for this disease can be gene therapy by viral vectors. The capacity of lentiviral vectors is approximately 8 kb, we designed a 6 kb construct containing mini LCR and β-globin gene instead of LCR region. The aim of this study is to make a recombinant lentiviruses containing miniLCR and β-globin gene for transfer to the target cells for gene therapy of β-thalassemia. Materials and Methods: HS2, HS3, HS4 segments (mini LCR) and β-globin gene with 5΄ and 3΄ UTR were amplified from the genomic DNA of a normal individual by PCR. Each segment was cloned in pTZ57R/T vector and then sub cloned first into the pBGGT vector and finally into the pLenti-Dest vector. Final transfer vector and the three helper packaging plasmids (Plp1, Plp2, Plp/VSVG) were cotransfected into 293T packaging cells using lipofectamine 2000. Harvested viruses were confirmed by RT-PCR on extracted RNA of these recombinant lentiviruses. Results: The titer of lentiviral stock determined in a K562 cell line and compared with COS-7 cell line. The titer in both cell lines was the same. Optimum MOI for COS-7 cell line was 5 and when polybrene was used transduction increased by 2 fold. The remaining transduced COS-7 colonies were expanded and DNA was extracted. By PCR, random integration of construct into the genome was evaluated. Conclusion: The produced lentiviruses can be an appropriate means for effective transfer of the designed construct into dividing and non-dividing cells such as hematopoetic stem cells for transplantation of beta thalassemia patients. Efficiency of transduction by leniviruses is more than the gene targeting technique. Also units of HS2, HS3 and HS4 regions in mini LCR and selection of larger HS3 unit may increase the expression of beta globin gene.

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Root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica is an economically significant plant parasitic nematode in muskmelon farms in Ardestan, Isfahan province, Iran. A two-year experiment was conducted in two muskmelon farms in this region. We assessed the application of 3, 6, and 9 t/ha fresh (unrotten) chicken manure separately or in combination with summer plowing. To evaluate the efficacy of each treatment, the number of galls, egg masses, reproduction factor, plant growth factors, and yield were recorded at harvesting time. The results showed that combining double summer plowing with nine t/ha chicken manure was the most effective treatment for controlling M. javanica. Nematode population indices including: the egg mass number, gall number, total population in root and soil, and reproduction factor, were significantly lower than the control treatment. The application of double plowing with nine t/ha chicken manure treatment caused 83.5%, 79.1%, 80.2%, and 78.3% decreases in egg mass number, gall number, total population per root, and soil, and reproduction factor, respectively. Moreover, total fruit weight and root dry weight in each plot (24 m²) increased by 81.8% and 50.4% compared to the control.


 

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The present Research has surveyed the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran vis-à-vis the Republic of Azerbaijan. Based on some of the most important geographical and geopolitical realities that exist between the two states, by presenting one main question and two hypotheses, used as guide into a thorough geopolitical assessment of the issue. Based on the findings, we come to this conclusion that the none-cordial disposition of the Republic of Azerbaijan towards Iran, and some of the uncharted pasturings and unspecified strategies by the Islamic Republic of Iran render ineffective so many positively positoned areas of common geographical and/or geopolitical interests such as territorial contiguity, common religious tendency (both Shiite), common ethnicity, common economic interests (agricultural and irrigation possibilities), common cultural and historical backgrounds. Unfortunately, the continued policies between the two states have further made all these possibilities to render ineffective. The main outcome of the research shows that some of the issue are resultant from a suspected nationalistic disposition on the part of the Iranians; and similarly, a persistent attitude of none cordiality from the Azeris. Moreover, the Republic of Azerbaijan has yet to present a logical and pragmatic reason to explain its negative diplomatic strategy against the Islamic Republic of Iran That could justify its distrustful policy towards iran. The research consequently has proposed the following general aims and strategies to be implemented in Iran’s faring policy towards the Republic of Azerbaijan: General aim: the faring policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in relation to the Republic of Azerbaijan is determined by geographical and geopolitical realities that exist between the two states. Strategy: to develop mutual relations based on the need for neighborly dispositions, to understand the geopolitical dictates of time and space, common national interests and aims,economic cooperation,and to explore other avenues that would develop mutual trust in order to broaden cooperation between the two states.

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Nowadays, the peptides and proteins possessing anti-cancer, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties are used for disease treatment. Brazzein is a sweet protein containing 54 amino acids and according to reports, it has anti-cancer properties based on sequence and structurehas sequence. In this study, the role of position 40 aspartate in the structure and function of wild brazzein protein and mutants as well as the anti-cancer properties of the peptides obtained on the TLR5 receptor were investigated. For this, several models of mutated forms were designed and constructed using Modeller.v.9.20 software. Then, the accuracy of the models and the physico-chemical properties of wild type (WT) and mutants of D40N, D40R and D40Deletion were evaluated using various bioinformatics servers and softwares including ProtParam, ProtScale, SAVES, PIC, ModEval, and PredyFlexy. For predicting anticancer properties, the sequence of WT protein and mutants was examined and compared using ACPred and iACP servers. The quality and analysis of WT protein and mutants binding as a ligand with TLR5 receptor, triggering an anti-cancer signaling pathway, were investigated through molecular docking using HADDOCK software.The results of bioinformatics parameters analysis indicated the possibility of improving the stability of brazzein structure and function, and the probability of increasing the available surface to bind to the receptor. Moreover, based on the results of molecular docking analyses, the ability binding TLR5 receptor was higher in D40R than the other proteins indicating an increased probability in anti-cancer properties of the mutant.

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Objective: Estrogen receptor alpha protein status is determined by routine immunohistochemistry analysis in all malignant breast tumors. This assay has its limitations. RNA based techniques are potential complements for immunohistochemistry but it must be noticed that gene silencing may occur at different levels from RNA to protein. The aim of this study was the comparison of the results from these two assays and characterizing the tumors subgroup in which gene expression occurs at RNA level but the target protein is absent. Materials and Methods: 92 primary breast tumors including their clinical and IHC results were collected before treatment. Estrogen receptor gene expression of tumors was studied by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT PCR). In this assay, GAPDH was used as a reference gene. Results: 36.6 % of tumors with negative estrogen receptor protein showed gene expression at mRNA level. In this subgroup most of the patient were older than 50 years and in stages 3 or 4 of breast cancer and had poor prognosis according to Nottingham prognostic index. Most cases of the perineural invasion have been seen in this subgroup. Conclusion: It seems that RT-PCR assay would enable us to recognize a subgroup of breast tumors with poor prognosis which expresses RNA but not protein.

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In this paper, the anti-plane stress analysis in an infinite elastic plane with multiple cracks is carried out by using the distributed dislocation technique. The solution is obtained for an infinite plane containing the screw dislocation via Fourier transform of biharmonic equation for the analysis of infinite plane in gradient elasticity. These solutions are used to perform integral equations for an infinite plane weakened by multiple straight cracks. Integral equations are hypersingular type which are solved numerically for density of dislocation on the cracks surfaces. The numerical method in Chebyshev series form are used to solve the hypersingular integral equations. The solution of integral equations leads to dislocation density functions. The stress intensity factor for cracks tips are formulated in terms of density of dislocation. Employing the definition of dislocation density, stress intensity factors for cracks tips are calculated. The influence of size-effect and crack location on the stress intensity factors are studied. To confirm the validity of formulations, numerical values of stress intensity factors are compared with the results in the literature. The results of the present approach are in excellent agreement with those in the literature. Some new examples with different geometrics of cracks are solved to illustrate the applicability of procedure.

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In recent decade, modeling the instability of nanostructures has attracted many attentions in nanomechanics. Nanomechanical switches are fundamental building blocks for the design of NEMS applications, such as nanotweezers and nanoscale actuators. One common type of NEMS including nano-bridge in micro mirrors is used. At nano-scales, the decreasing gap between the two electrodes makes surface traction due to molecular interaction such as van der Waals that must be taken into account in the analysis of NEMS. In this study, strain gradient theory has been used to investigate the size dependent pull-in instability of beam-type (NEMS)where is an inherent instability in them. The von-Karman nonlinear strain has been applied to derive the constitutive equation of the system. Effect of intermolecular force have been included in the nonlinear governing equations of the systems. Homotopy perturbation method (HPM) has been employed to solve the nonlinear equations. Effect of intermolecular attraction and the size dependency and the importance of coupling between them on the instability performance i.e. critical deflection and instability voltage have been discussed. According the findings of this research, one can conclude that intermolecular forces decrease pull-in voltage and size effect parameter in nano scale leads to increase of pull-in parameters. Also HPM method can be applied as efficient method to analyze beam type nano structures.

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Due to the increasing demand for using polyethylene pipes in gas distribution networks and regarding the technical specifications of transmission and suitable service condition as well as ease of implementation and installation, these materials are considered as ideal substitutes for metal pipes. Regarding the safety and economic aspects in PE (polyethylene) pipe networks before and during the operations, technical inspection is highly required. Examinations have a significant role in the safety and proper function of gas distribution PE pipes tests, because of the damage of the products and excessive costs and time are not usually affordable. Consequently, the mentioned tests are nowadays being replaced by non-destructive types and admissibility of various industries gas company in these methods is increasing. Electrofusion is a proper and fundamental technique for connecting PE pipes. In this research, the mechanism of electrofusion tapping saddle polyethylene welding has thoroughly been studied and simulated using ABAQUS software. Thermal equation of electrofusion is investigated and the results of simulation as compared with experimental results have been evaluated based on which the best qualified methods for connection have been determined and presented.

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The robotic sensor deployment task to achieve maximum converge is one of the main phases in feasibility studies and development of communication infrastructures and environment monitoring systems. In this article, a new approach is proposed to treat the maximum coverage in 3D vector spaces. For this purpose, a new geometric strategy is first presented to compute the area covered by an individual sensor. To maximize the coverage of the robotic network, the fractal search algorithm was employed. This population-based evolutionary algorithm has been proposed based on the growth of the random fractal and demonstrates a robust performance in tackling constrained and unconstrained optimization problems. Then, based on several scenarios and by considering spatial constraints, the efficiency of the fractal search optimizer was compared with other methods in terms of robustness, running time, quality of the coverage results, convergence rate, as well as the statistical test of Wilcoxon. The comprehensive assessment and analysis of the results certify better performance of the proposed approach to maximize the coverage in 3D vector spaces. The proposed approach can obtain the optimal deployment and coverage of the robots by the best convergence rate and computational and statistical precision.

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To identify the Cereal Cyst Nematodes (CCN) and their distribution and population density in wheat fields in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province based on interpolation by geographic information system, a total of 212 composite soil and root samples were randomly collected from different wheat fields of nine districts of the province during 2013-2014. The soil samples were explored for number of cysts, second-stage Juveniles (J2) and eggs. The species were identified based on morphological, morphometric and molecular characteristics. Analysis was performed by Arc GIS software using interpolation technique for determination of raster map. The results showed that 42% of soil samples were infested with Heterodera filipjevi containing an average of 994 eggs and J2 per 200 g of soil. The maximum infestation was observed in Dehsahra region in Lordegan district with an average of 4720 eggs and J2 per 200 g soil. Wheat fields of Kohrang, Kiyar and Farsan districts showed low population density while moderate infestation was observed in Ardal, Ben, Saman and Borujen districts. Instead high population density of H. filipjevi was found in Shahrekord and Lordegan. Based on interpolation of population density and interpolation maps, the eastern part of Shahrekord and southern and western parts of Lordegan districts were predicted as regions with high infestation to H. filipjevi and considered as hotspots for this disease.