Quantum dynamics of a driven parametric oscillator in a Kerr medium.

In this paper, we first analyze a parametric oscillator with both mass and frequency time-dependent. We show that the evolution operator can be obtained from the evolution operator of another parametric oscillator with a constant mass and time-dependent frequency followed by a time transformation [Formula: see text]. Then we proceed by investigating the quantum dynamics of a parametric oscillator with unit mass and time-dependent frequency in a Kerr medium under the influence of a time-dependent force along the motion of the oscillator. The quantum dynamics of the time-dependent oscillator is analyzed from both analytical and numerical points of view in two main regimes: (i) small Kerr parameter [Formula: see text], and (ii) small confinement parameter k. In the following, to investigate the characteristics and statistical properties of the generated states, we calculate the autocorrelation function, the Mandel Q parameter, and the Husimi Q-function.

Exact density matrix elements for a driven dissipative system described by a quadratic Hamiltonian.

For a prototype quadratic Hamiltonian describing a driven, dissipative system, exact matrix elements of the reduced density matrix are obtained from a generating function in terms of the normal characteristic functions. The approach is based on the Heisenberg equations of motion and operator calculus. The special and limiting cases are discussed.

The quantum thermodynamic force responsible for quantum state transformation and the flow and backflow of information.

Why do quantum evolutions occur and why do they stop at certain points? In classical thermodynamics affinity was introduced to predict in which direction an irreversible process proceeds. In this paper the quantum mechanical counterpart of the classical affinity is found. It is shown that the quantum version of affinity can predict in which direction a process evolves. A new version of the second law of thermodynamics is derived through quantum affinity for energy-incoherent state interconversion under thermal operations. we will also see that the quantum affinity can be a good candidate to be responsible, as a force, for driving the flow and backflow of information in Markovian and non-Markovian evolutions. Finally we show that the rate of quantum coherence can be interpreted as the pure quantum mechanical contribution of the total thermodynamic force and flow. Thus it is seen that, from a thermodynamic point of view, any interaction from the outside with the system or any measurement on the system may be represented by a quantum affinity.

Olive (Olea europaea) leaf extract alters the cytokine profile of Leishmania major-infected macrophages: New insight into the underlying mechanism.

This study aimed to identify the effects of olive leaf extract (OLE) on IFNγ, TNFα, TGFß and nitric oxide (NO) resulted from macrophages infected with Leishmania major (L. major) amastigotes in the culture medium. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to analyse the level of Oleuropein in plant extract. To evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of OLE, the isolated BALB/c mice peritoneal macrophages were infected with L. major promastigotes and treated with 6.25, 12.5 and 25 µg/mL concentrations of OLE. To assess the cytokines, supernatants of cell cultures were harvested after 12, 24 and 48 hours. Cytokine production was evaluated by ELISA. Nitrite accumulation in the culture medium was assessed using the Griess reaction. The level of Oleuropein in the extract was 18.45% by HPLC. According to results, the production of IFNγ and TNFα was significantly increased when the infected and/or not infected macrophages with L. major promastigotes were affected by different concentrations of OLE. Conversely, the production of TGFß was significantly decreased under the same conditions. Furthermore, the colorimetric determination of NO accumulation in the culture medium indicated that OLE has no effect on NO production. The study corroborates the immunomodulatory effects of OLE on L. major-infected macrophages.

Genetic characterization of human-derived hydatid cysts of Echinococcus granulosus in Lorestan Province, Western Iran.

The aim of the present investigation was genotyping of hydatid cysts of cystic echinococcosis (CE) patients residing in Lorestan province by sequencing and analyzing of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1). A total of 26 hydatid cysts (6 hydatid cysts) from 6 patients suffering from hepatic CE and 20 formalin-fixed paraffinembedded (FFPE) tissue samples from 20 human patients with histologically confirmed CE. DNA was extracted, and genotyping was performed by sequencing and analyzing mitochondrial cox1 gene. All the samples were analyzed using mitochondrial cox1 primers. In sequencing analysis, the alignment of the determined sequence with those of knows genotypes of E. granulosus demonstrated that the isolates belonged to genotype G1 (sheep strain). Representative nucleotide sequence obtained in this study was deposited in the GenBank database under the accession number LC068913.1. The phylogenetic analysis showed two clusters. One of the clusters includes G3 genotype (HM5630221) and the other cluster represents all strains related to G1 and G3 genotypes which contain genotype defined in this study as well. The obtained findings demonstrated that G1 genotype is predominant strain of human CE in Lorestan province, Iran, which indicating the sheep-doge cycle in this area. Further studies with more sample size should be conducted to be sure of the sheep strain G1 which is predominant strain in this province.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among healthy blood donors in south-east of Iran.

This prospective cross-sectional study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of IgM and IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies and the associated risk factors among healthy blood donors in Kerman province, south-eastern Iran. Structured questionnaires (before the donors gave blood) were used to obtain information on risk factors for infection. Totally, 500 serum samples from healthy blood donors of Kerman Blood Transfusion Organization (KBTO) at Kerman, Iran, were screened for IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Roche Elecsys Toxo IgM assay. Real-time PCR was used to detect DNA of T. gondii in the IgM-positive samples. Seroprevalence of IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies was 28.8% and 3.2%, respectively. In the multiple logistic regression, it could be observed that living in rural regions, having B blood type, being in contact with cats, consuming raw vegetables and raw milk/egg and doing agricultural activities were independent risk factors for Toxoplasma seropositivity. T. gondii DNA was also found in one (9.0%) of IgM-positive samples. In this study, it was found that T. gondii infection was present among healthy blood donors in south-east of Iran. Therefore, it is suggested to design screening programmes for preventing transfusion-transmitted toxoplasmosis.

Gene regulation of pteridine reductase 1 in leishmania promastigotes and amastigotes using a full-length antisense construct.

BACKGROUND: Pteridine metabolic pathway is unusual features of Leishmania, which is necessary for the growth of parasite. Leishmania has evolved a complex and versatile pteridine salvage network which has the ability of scavenging a wide area of the conjugated and unconjugated pteridines especially folate and biopterin. In this study, we focus on the inhibition of ptr1 gene expression. METHODS: L. major ptr1 gene was cloned into pcDNA3 and digested using KpnI and BamHI. The gene was subcloned so that antisense will transcribe and called pcDNA-rPTR. Leishmania major was cultured and late logarithmic-phase promastigotes were harvested. The promastigotes were divided into two groups. One group was transfected with 50 µg of pcDNA-rPTR, whereas the other group was transfected with pcDNA3. Transfected cells were cultured and plated onto semi-solid media. Mouse pritonean macrophages were transfected using pcDNA-rPTR-tansfected promastigotes. Western blotting was performed on mouse transfected pritonean macrophages and extracts from transfected promastigotes of L. major using a L. major ptr1 antibody raised in rabbits. RESULTS: The PTR1 protein was not expressed in pcDNA-rPTR- tansfected promastigotes and mouse macrophage transfected with pcDNA-rPTR- tansfected promastigotes. CONCLUSION: This approach might be used to study the pteridine salvage pathway in Leishmania or to assess the possibility of using gene expression inhibition in the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Inhibition of Leishmania major PTR1 Gene Expression by Antisense in Escherichia coli.

BACKGROUND: Protozoa related to Trypanosome family including Leishmania, synthesize enzymes to escape from drug therapy. One of them is PTR1 that its enzymatic activity is similar to dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Dihydrofolate reductase - thymidylate synthase has a major role in DNA synthesis, if it is inhibited, the result would be the death of parasite. Since PTR1 activity is similar to DHFR, causes the decrease of inhibition effect of drug. The aim of this study was inhibition of Iranian L. major PTR1 expression with mRNA antisense in prokaryotic system as an approach to appear of the drugs therapeutic effects more. METHODS: PTR1 gene was ligated to pACYCDuet-1 and pcDNA3 plasmids as sense and antisense plasmids, respectively. Simultaneously transfer of sense and antisense plasmids was done in E. coli strain M15. SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis were carried out to analyze the expression. RESULTS: Sense and antisense plasmids were prepared and confirmed by restriction analysis and PCR then simultaneously transfer of them was done. SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis showed PTR1 gene was inhibited by mRNA antisense in bacterial cells. CONCLUSION: Expression of PTR1 gene in sense plasmid was inhibited successfully by antisense plasmid.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in bakery workers in khorramabad, lorestan iran.

BACKGROUND: Food contamination may occur through production, processing, distribution and preparation. In Iran especially in Khorramabad, 33° 29' 16" North, 48° 21' 21" East, due to kind of nutrition, culture and economic status of people, bread is a part of the main meal and the consumption of bread is high. In this study, the bakery workers were studied for determining of intestinal parasites prevalence. METHODS: The study was carried out during September to November 2010 in Khorramabad. All the 278 bakeries and the bakery workers including 816 people were studied in a census method and their feces were examined for the presence of parasites by direct wet-mount, Lugol's iodine solution, and formaldehyde-ether sedimentation, trichrome staining, and single round PCR (For discrimination of Entamoeba spp). RESULTS: Ninety-six (11.9%) stool specimens were positive for different intestinal parasites. Intestinal parasites included Giardia lamblia 3.7%, Entamoeba coli 5.5%, Blastocystis sp. 2.1%, Entamoeba dispar 0.4%, Hymenolepis nana 0.1%, and Blastocystis sp. 0.1%. CONCLUSION: In order to reduce the contamination in these persons, some cases such as stool exam every three months with concentration methods, supervision and application of accurate health rules by health experts, training in transmission of parasites are recommended.