The product of the HER2 protooncogene, p185HER2, represents an attractive target for cancer immunotherapies. We have prepared anti-p185HER2immunoliposomes in which Fab' fragments of a humanized ...anti-p185HER2monoclonal antibody with antiproliferative properties (rhuMAb-HER2) were conjugated to either conventional or sterically stabilized liposomes. These immunoliposomes bind specifically to p185HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells (SK-BR-3 and BT-474). High-affinity binding of anti-p185HER2immunoliposomes is comparable to that of free rhuMAbHER2-Fab' or the intact antibody. Empty immunoliposomes inhibit the culture growth of p185HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells, and this antiproliferative effect is superior to that of free rhuMAbHER2-Fab', indicating that liposomal anchoring of these anti-p185HER2Fab' fragments enhances their biological activity. Efficient internalization of anti-p185HER2immunoliposomes, demonstrated by light and electron microscopy, occurs by receptor-mediated endocytosis via the coated pit pathway and also possibly by membrane fusion. Doxorubicinloaded anti-p185HER2immunoliposomes are markedly and specifically cytotoxic against p185HER2-overexpressing tumor cells in vitro. Anti-p185HER2immunoliposomes administered in vivo in Scid mice bearing human breast tumor (BT-474) xenografts can deliver doxorubicin to tumors. These results indicate that anti-p185HER2immunoliposomes are a promising therapeutic vehicle for the treatment of p185HER2-overexpressing human cancers.
Growth factors and their binding proteins are important proteins regulating mammalian cell proliferation and differentiation so there is considerable interest in producing them as recombinant ...proteins, especially in hosts that do not already produce a complex mixture of growth factors. Many growth factors require post-translational modifications making them unsuitable for production in Escherichia coli or other prokaryotes. Since several expression vector systems have been recently developed for foreign protein production in the cellular slime mould, Dictyostelium discoideum, we attempted to use two of these systems to express human insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 (hIGFBP6) and bovine beta-cellulin (bBTC) as secreted proteins. Although both proteins were successfully produced in stably transformed amoebae, no secretion was detected in spite of several attempts to facilitate this occurring.
The effects of chronic treatment with flecainide on the cellular electrophysiology and the relationship of the electrophysiologic effects to serum and myocardial flecainide concentrations were ...determined in rabbit ventricular myocardium. Two groups of rabbits were administered flecainide at doses of 7.5 mg/kg body weight (dose I) and 20 mg/kg body weight (dose II) intraperitoneally (i.p.) twice daily for 12-14 days; a third group received saline. Serum and myocardial flecainide concentrations with dose II (0.44 +/- 0.15 micrograms/ml and 3.0 +/- 1.4 micrograms/g, respectively) were significantly (p less than 0.01) higher than with dose I (0.19 +/- 0.11 micrograms/ml and 0.81 +/- 0.15 micrograms/g, respectively). At 1.0-Hz stimulation, only the high dose produced significant changes in transmembrane action potentials of right ventricular myocardial fibers, which showed a 17.6% (n = 6, p less than 0.05) decrease in maximal upstroke velocity (Vmax) of phase 0 and 19.5% (n = 6, p less than 0.05) prolongation of effective refractory period (ERP). Repetitive stimuli led to an exponential decline in Vmax with both dosage regimens. The magnitude of Vmax decrease was frequently dependent and was greater with the higher dose. The rate of decrease of Vmax per action potential (AP) during train of stimuli in rabbits treated with dose II was 0.037 +/- 0.012 (n = 5) at 2.0-Hz stimulation, and the recovery time constant from use-dependent block at 4.0-Hz stimulation increased significantly from 12.6 +/- 3.6% decrease in Vmax with the low dose to 35.6 +/- 7.1% decrease with the high dose. The data show that sodium channel inhibition by chronic flecainide administration is a function of dose, serum, and myocardial flecainide concentrations.
In order to enrich the Okra ,Sweet corn, basil and Sweet fennol collection of Nationalplant Gene-bank of Iran, the research project of collection, regeneration and evaluation of cultivated species of ...Okra ,Sweet corn, basil and Sweet fennol commenced since nationally continued in ٢٦ provinces of Iran during ١٣٨٤-١٣٨٧. A total of ٩٥ accessions of (Okra), ٥٨ accessions of (Sweet corn), ٢٠٠ accessions of (basil) and ٩٨ accessions of (Sweet fennol) were collected according to the descriptors of IPGRI. Characteristics of collection sites including latitude, water and soil types and topographical conditions affecting the climate, were recorded according to IPGRI descriptor. In order to regenerate sufficient genetic material, the collected samples were categorized climatically according to the location of collection and sent to related research centers in the fifth year of the project. Regenerated samples were then resent to headquarter in Karaj which currently preserved in two active and basal collections in a packaged form so that in case of need by breeders or students to exploit this germplasm in breeding or development of new varieties or academic researches, the sufficient material and recorded data would be available. The accessions under study were cultivated in Karaj in order to identify and evaluate qualitative and morphological traits. Collected accessions were planted in two meters long rows wids ٧٥ cm inter-rows distance in research field of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute. The plants were irrigated weekly and no fertilizer or fungicide was used during cultivation practice. A total of ٥samples out of ٩٥ collected genetic resources of Okra,٥٨ collected genetic resources of Sweet corn, ١٠samples out of ٢٠٠ collected genetic resources of Sweet fennol and ١١ samples out of ٩٨ collected genetic resources of basil failed to germinate and therefore were removed form the cycle of preserving and data recording.
regeneration and evaluation of cultivated species of Solanaceae (Egg Plant, Tomato, Pepper) commenced nced since continued in ٢٦ provinces of Iranduring ١٣٨٤-١٣٨٧. A total of ٢٨٦ accessions of ...(Tomato),٢٢٨ accessions of (Egg Plant) and ١٣٢ accessions of (Pepper) were collected according to the descriptor of IPGRI.Characterisks of collection sites includings, latitude, water and soil types, and topographical conditions affecting the climate were recorded according to IPGRI descriptor at the time of sampling. In order to regenerate sufficient genetic material, the collected samples were categorized climatically according to the location of collection and sent to related research centers in the fifth year of the project. Regenerated samples were then resent to headquarter in Karaj which currently preserved in two active and basal collections in a packaged form so that in case of need by breeders or students to exploit this germplasm in breeding or development of new varieties or academic researches, the sufficient material and recorded data would be available. The accessions under study were cultivated in Karaj in order to identify and evaluate qualitative and morphological traits and the results were used to study the correlations among the traits. Collected accessions were planted in two meters long rows wids ٧٥ (tomato١٥٠) cm inter-rows distance in research field of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute. The plants were irrigated weekly and no fertilizer or fungicide was used during cultivation practice. A total of ten samples out of ٢٨٦ collected genetic resources of Tomato, ٢٠samples out of ٢٢٨ collected genetic resources of Egg Plant ٤٣samples out of and ٤٠ samples out of ١٣٢ collected genetic resources of Pepper failed to germinate and therefore were removed form the cycle of preserving and data recording. Some qualitative traits such as corolla colour,Fruit size and fruit blossom end shape,Fruit shoulder shape, fruit length and fruit width in ٢٨٦ accessions were evaluated which were identified as (tomato). The results indicated the existence of positive correlation of corolla colour, with the fruit size and negative correlations of colour of immature fruit and presence of green trips on the fruit of tomato .Some qualitative traits such as leaf blade size, Intensity of leaf blade green colour, plant height, fruit shape , fruit length were evaluated in ٢٢٨ accessions which were identified as (Egg Plant). The results indicated the existence of positive correlation of of immature fruit colour and negative correlations of fruit size with flower intensies of purple colour at ١% level of confidence.Some qualitative traits such as head fruit shape , fruit shape ,plant height, fruit number were evaluated in ٧٦ accessions of pepper. The results indicated the existence of positive correlation of head fruit shape with fruit shape and negative correlations of plant height with fruit number at ١% level of confidence.
In order to enrich the Umbelliferae and Leguminosae collection of National plant gene-bank of Iran, the research project of collection, regeneration and evaluation of cultivated species of ...Umbelliferae and Leguminosae (Carrot, Celery, Parsliy, Dill, , Snap Beans, Pea, Fenugreek) commenced since nationally continued in ٢٦ provinces of Iran during ١٣٨٤-١٣٨٧. A total of ١٠٠ accessions of (Carrot),١٠٧ accessions of (Snap Beans)١٨٤ accessions of (Dill),١٨٤ accessions of (Parsliy),١٩١ accessions of (Fenugreek) and ٣٤ accessions of (Pea) were collected according to the descriptor of IPGRI. Characteristics of collection sites including latitude, water and soil types and topographical conditions affecting the climate were recorded according to IPGRI descriptor at the time of sampling. In order to regenerate sufficient genetic material, the collected samples were categorized climatically according to the location of collection and sent to related research centers in the fifth year of the project. Regenerated samples were then resent to headquarter in Karaj which currently preserved in two active and basal collections in a packaged form so that in case of need by breeders or students to exploit this germplasm in breeding or development of new varieties or academic researches, the sufficient material and recorded data would be available. The accessions under study were cultivated in Karaj in order to identify and evaluate qualitative and morphological traits and the results were used to study the correlations among the traits. Collected accessions were planted in two meters long rows wids ٧٥ cm inter-rows distance in research field of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute. The plants were irrigated weekly and no fertilizer or fungicide was used during cultivation practice. A total of ten samples out of ١٠٠ collected genetic resources of Carrot, ٧٩samples out of ١٧٤ collected genetic resources of Parsliy ١١samples out of١٨٤ collected genetic resources of Dill, ١١samples out of١٩١ collected genetic resources of Fenugreek,١٣samples out of١٠٧ collected genetic resources of Snap Beans and ٢ samples out of ٣٤ collected genetic resources of Pea failed to germinate and therefore were removed form the cycle of preserving and data recording.The results of analyses showed that there were positive correlations among some traits and negative correlations among other ones at significant levels of ١%.
In order to enrich Liliaceae collection of National plant gene-bank of Iran, the research project of collection, regeneration and evaluation of cultivated species of Liliaceae (Allium Cepa, Allium ...schoenoprasum, Allium ampeloprasum) commenced since nationally continued in ٢٤ provinces of Iran during ١٣٨٤-١٣٨٧. A total of ٢٤٩ accessions of (Onion), and ١٣٥ accessions of (leek) were collected according to the descriptor of IPGRI. Characteristics of collection sites including latitude, water and soil types and topographical conditions affecting the climate were recorded according to IPGRI descriptor at the time of sampling. In order to regenerate sufficient genetic material, the collected samples were categorized climatically according to the location of collection and sent to related research centers in the fifth year of the project. Regenerated samples were then resent to headquarter in Karaj which currently preserved in two active and basal collections in a packaged form so that in case of need by breeders or students to exploit this germplasm in breeding or development of new varieties or academic researches, the sufficient material and recorded data would be available. The accessions under study were cultivated in Karaj in order to identify and evaluate qualitative and morphological traits and the results were used to study the correlations among the traits. Collected accessions were planted in two meters long rows wids٧٥cm inter-rows distance in research field of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute. The plants were irrigated weekly and no fertilizer or fungicide was used during cultivation practice. A total of ٥١ samples out of ٢٤٩ collected genetic resources of Onion, ٤samples out of ٢٢٨ collected genetic resources of leek failed to germinate and therefore were removed form the cycle of preserving and data recording. Some qualitative traits such as number of leaf per stem, leaf colour , leaf length, in ١٩٠ accessions were evaluated which were identified as (Onion). The results indicated the existence of positive correlation of number of leaf per stem, thickness of leaf with the size of bulb and negative correlations of number of leaf per stem, with shape of onion bulb at ١% level of confidence.Some qualitative traits such as density of leaves, thickness of stem, leaf colour, leaf length,leaf width in ١١٦ accessions which were identified as (leek).The results indicated the existence of positive correlation of density of leaves and negative correlations of with leaf form at ١% level of confidence.
Wireless sensor networks have been attracting increasing research interest given the recent advances in microelectronics, array processing, and wireless networking. Consisting of a large collection ...of small, wireless, low-cost, integrated sensing, computing and communicating nodes capable of performing various demanding collaborative space-time processing tasks, wireless sensor network technology poses various unique design challenges, particularly for real-time operation. We review the approximate maximum-likelihood (AML) method for source localization and direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation. Then, we consider the use of least-squares method (LS) method applied to DOA bearing crossings to perform source localization. A novel virtual array model applicable to the AML-DOA estimation method is proposed for reverberant scenarios. Details on the wireless acoustical testbed are given. We consider the use of Compaq iPAQ 3760s, which are handheld, battery-powered device normally meant to be used as personal organizers (PDAs), as sensor nodes. The iPAQ provide a reasonable balance of cost, availability, and functionality. It has a build in StrongARM processor, microphone, codec for acoustic acquisition and processing, and a PCMCIA bus for external IEEE 802.11b wireless cards for radio communication. The iPAQs form a distributed sensor network to perform real-time acoustical beamforming. Computational times and associated real-time processing tasks are described. Field measured results for linear, triangular, and square subarrays in free-space and reverberant scenarios are presented. These results show the effective and robust operation of the proposed algorithms and their implementations on a real-time acoustical wireless testbed.
In early 2007. surface survey, geophysical analysis and excavations were carried out at the site of Qaleh Kali (Tappeh Servan/Jinjun), in the Mamasani District of Fars. The excavations revealed that ...multiple phases of occupation are preserved at the site, the earliest of which appears to have been a sizeable élite structure that may in fact have had a royal clientele, as suggested by the presence of monumental Persepolis-style column bases and the quality of the fragments of tine glass and polished stone vessels discovered in the excavations. Although it has not yet been identified with any certainty, it is likely that Qaleh Kali is mentioned in the Persepolis Fortification Texts.
