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The optical transport network (OTN) based on 43-Gb/s channels is expected to be the carriers' next-generation core network. This paper discusses its system architecture, from the requirements of services, protection, and management, and shows a feasible scenario to ensure the rapid penetration of the 43-Gb/s-based OTN. It also describes the design concept and functions of the first 43-Gb/s OTN line terminal. The line terminal deploys time-division multiplexing to handle client signals and provides high-quality, multiple transparent services, such as synchronous optical network/synchronous digital hierarchy and gigabit Ethernet. The configuration and features of the actual fabricated system are described. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Thalassemia is considered as a group of genetic blood disorders, characterized by anemia. The present research aimed at evaluating the effects of aquatic exercise on quality of life and blood indices in patients with beta-thalassemia major. Methods: A clinical trial study involving 40 patients with thalassemia major, divided into two groups: experimental and control. The tools used to collect the data included demographic information questionnaire, blood indicators questionnaire, and SF-36 quality of life questionnaire. The experimental group performed exercise in water three times per week for 8 weeks in the pool after obtaining the consent. In this research, the quality of life questionnaire was filled out 24 h before the intervention, 24 h after the last session of the exercise program, and 2 months after the end of the exercise program. Results: The current research revealed that exercise in water affected the quality of life, hemoglobin, hematocrit, iron and ferritin of serum such that the mean score of quality of life and blood indicators in the study showed a significant difference in the experimental group. Conclusions: The use of a regular exercise program combined with drug therapy and blood transfusion can be useful in the treatment of beta-thalassemia patients.

Female F1 mice (BDFI: C57B1/6 × DBA/ 2, BCFI: CS7BL/6×C3H/HeN. BBF1: C578L/ 6× BA LB/c) were preimmunized with rat erythrocytes and then received splenic T cells from parental female C57BL/6 mice injected with hydrocortisone acetate before killing. In BDFI and BCF1 mice, direct Coombs' test (DCT) positivity persisted for more than 4 months in almost all mice. They also showed haematological sign of anaemia, and the survival of infused 51Cr-labelled parental C57BL/6 erythrocytes was reduced. In BBFI mice, DCT positivity returned to negative within 2 months. Autoantibodies were eluted from DCT-positive erythrocytes and their specificities were examined. They were capable of binding equally well to erythrocytes from all strains of mice tested, including the donor mice. They also cross-reacted with rat erythrocytes but not with sheep, rabbit or human erythrocytes. Isotypes of the autoantibodies eluted were also examined. Interestingly, isotypes of the autoantibodies obtained from individual mice were confined to one or other subclass of IgG isotype: lgGl, IgG2a or IgG2b. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]