Objective Root structure modification is associated with the efficient water uptake and the nutrient utilization. It also provides structural support for the anchoring in soil. Genetic engineering for the improvement of plant root structure may help to maintain higher yields under drought conditions. The aim of this study was to modify the root structure of rice in order to improve drought tolerance and the efficiency of nutrient uptake. For this purpose, simultaneous transformation of Deeper Rooting1 or OsDRO1 gene, which is involved in the regulation of growth angle of the root in order to adapt to drought conditions, and PHOSPHORUS-Starvation Tolerance1 or OsPSTOL1 gene, which is effective in increasing PHOSPHORUS uptake and improving root structure, were considered for rice root structure modification. Materials and methods The OsDRO1 and OsPSTOL1 genes derived from the wild rice cultivars were cloned together in a single construct under the control of the root specific and the ubiquitin promoters, respectively. The resulting construct, pUhrDroPstol is transformed into the Agrobacterium tumefactions strain EHA105 and used for the gene transformation into Hashemi cultivar. Putative transgenic plants, survived on 50 mg/L Hygromycin during tissue culture steps, are transplanted into the Yoshida solution and then into the pots until they set seeds. Construct specific and gene specific PCR analysis are used to confirm the transgenic plants. Results In this study, 12 putative transgenic rice events were obtained, of which 10 showed the presence of both OsDRO1 and OsPSTOL1 genes in the PCR analysis. Transgenic plants show stronger root structure compared to the non-transgenic ones. Molecular analysis in the T1 and T2 generations determined the homozygous events. Conclusions In this study, two candidate genes affecting root structure, nutrient uptake and drought tolerance were transferred to the Hashemi rice using genetic engineering. So far, simultaneous transfer of these two candidate genes have not been reported. Transgenic plants present better root system compared to the control plants. The mentioned construct can be used for the transformation of other crops to improve their root structure, nutrient uptake and their drought tolerance. It is hoped that the production of the transgenic rice with modified root structure and efficient PHOSPHORUS uptake increases its drought tolerance and reduce water consumption in rice cultivation.

Let G be a graph with vertex set V (G) and edge set X (G) and consider the set A = {0, 1}. A mapping l: V (G)®A is called binary vertex labeling of G and l (v) is called the label of the vertex v under l. In this paper we introduce a new kind of graph energy for the binary LABELED graph, the LABELED graph energy El (G). It depends on the underlying graph G and on its binary labeling, upper and lower bounds for El (G) are established. The LABELED energies of a number of well known and much studied families of graphs are computed.

Over recent decades, there has been a growing interest in semi-supervised clustering. Compared to the supervised or unsupervised clustering methods for solving different real-life problems, reviewed articles show that semi-supervised clustering methods are more powerful, and even a small amount of supervised information can significantly improve the results of unsupervised methods. One popular method of incorporating partial supervised information is through LABELED data. In this study, we propose a semi-supervised clustering algorithm called ConvexClust. The proposed method improves data clustering using a geometric view borrowed from the Lune concept in the connectivity index and 10% of LABELED data. Clustering starts with the use of LABELED data and the formation of a convex hull. It continues over the labeling of non-LABELED data and the updating of the convex hull in an iterative process. Evaluations of three UCI datasets and sixteen artificial datasets show that the proposed method outperforms the other semi-supervised and traditional clustering techniques.

Introduction: Bone pain palliation therapy is a mandate in handling end-stage cancer patients. The development of new ligands with higher stability, better pharmacokinetics and lower unwanted tissue uptakes (liver and GI) is still ongoing.Methods: In this work Lu-177 LABELED (3-amino-1-hydroxypropane-1, 1-di-yl) -bis- (phosphonate) (177Lu-pamidronate; 177Lu- PAM), and (3-amino-1-hydroxybutane-1, 1-di-yl) -bis- (phosphonate) (177Lu-alendronate; 177Lu-ALN) complexes were prepared successfully using related ligands and 177LuCl3 at 25oC & 60oC at various ligand: metal ratios for 60-360 min. Lu- 177 chloride was obtained by thermal neutron irradiation (4×1013 n.cm-2s-1) of natural Lu2O3 samples. Radiochemical purities of 177Lu- complexes were checked by ITLC and HPLC. Stability studies of final preparation in the presence of human serum were evaluated along with protein binding studies as well as hydroxyapatite (HA) binding test. The biodistribution of 177Lu-complexes and 177LuCl3 in mice were determined for 7 d.Results: The complexes were obtained in high radiochemical purity ITLC (>97%) and HPLC (>99.9%). Satisfactory stability in presence of human serum and final formulations were obtained (»90% in 48 h). HA binding assay demonstrated >98% binding from 5-20 mg. The complex protein binding was about 50-58%.Conclusion: Biodistribution of both complexes demonstrated low bone uptake ratios at all time intervals, for far inferior to 177Lu-EDTMP.

Background & Objectives: The monoclonal antibody cetuximab binds to EGFR and thus provides an opportunity to create both imaging and therapeutic modalities that target this receptor. The potential of cetuximab as a radio immunoconjugate was investigated and quality control tests (in vitro and in vivo) were performed as a first step in the production of a new radiopharmaceutical.Methods: Cetuximab solution was dialyzed and concentrated using an Amicon Ultra-15 filter.Purified antibody was LABELED with lutetium-177 using the acyclic bifunctional chelator, DOTA-NHS, and radio immunoconjugates were purified by PD10 columns. Radiochemical purity and stability in buffer and human blood serum were determined using thin layer chromatography. Integrity of the radioLABELED complex was checked by SDS-PAGE.Preliminary biodistribution studies in normal mice model performed to determine radio immunoconjugates distribution up to 72h.Results: The radiochemical purity of the complex was 98±1%. The stabilities in phosphate buffer and in human blood serum at 96 hours post-preparation were 96±2 % and 78±4%, respectively. All of the samples, controls and radioLABELED antibodies, showed a similar pattern of migration in the gel electrophoresis. Biodistribution of Lu177-cetuximab was evaluated in normal mice and the highest ID/g% was observed in the blood (13.2±1.3% at 24 hours) and the liver (9.1±1.3% at 24 hours).Conclusion: Our results show that DOTA-cituximab can be LABELED with 177Lu. Lu177-cetuximab has sufficient stability and retains its integrity. The new complex could be considered for further evaluation in animals and possibly in humans as a new radiopharmaceutical for use in radio immunotherapy of cancers.