• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2009

A $\beta$-agarase gene, agaB34, was functionally cloned from the genomic DNA of a marine bacterium, Agarivorans albus YKW-34. The open reading frame of agaB34 consisted of 1,362 bp encoding 453 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence, consisting of a typical N-terminal signal peptide followed by a catalytic domain of glycoside hydrolase family 16 (GH-16) and a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM), showed 37-86% identity to those of agarases belonging to family GH-16. The recombinant enzyme (rAgaB34) with a molecular mass of 49 kDa was produced extracellularly using Escherichia coli $DH5{\alpha}$ as a host. The purified rAgaB34 was a $\beta$-agarase yielding neoagarotetraose (NA4) as the main product. It acted on neoagarohexaose to produce NA4 and neoagarobiose, but it could not further degrade NA4. The maximal activity of rAgaB34 was observed at $30^{\circ}C$ and pH 7.0. It was stable over pH 5.0-9.0 and at temperatures up to $50^{\circ}C$. Its specific activity and $k_{cat}/K_m$ value for agarose were 242 U/mg and $1.7{\times}10^6/sM$, respectively. The activity of rAgaB34 was not affected by metal ions commonly existing in seawater. It was resistant to chelating reagents (EDTA, EGTA), reducing reagents (DTT, $\beta$-mercaptoethanol), and denaturing reagents (SDS and urea). The E. coli cell harboring the pUC18-derived agarase expression vector was able to efficiently excrete agarase into the culture medium. Hence, this expression system might be used to express secretory proteins.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1351-1355
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• 2014

Background: Ovarian sex-cord stromal tumours (SCST) are rare, and relatively infrequent in children. These have to be distinguished from more common germ cell tumors in children and also from benign epithelial neoplasms. Objectives: The purpose of our study was to report the clinical and pathological findings in young patients with these tumours in our population. Material and Methods: The present observational cross-sectional study included all subjects <21 years of age diagnosed with ovarian SCST, in Aga Khan University Hospital Histopathology Laboratory, Karachi, Pakistan, from January 1992 till July 2013. Results: Of the total of 513 SCSTs presented during the study period, 39 fulfilled inclusion criteria and were assessed. The age range was 4-250 months. Most of the tumours presented at stage-1 and an abdominal mass was the most common presenting symptom, along with menstrual disturbance. The left side ovary was slightly more affected (53.5%). Of the total, 15 were juvenile granulosa cell tumours (JGCT), 11 sclerosing stromal tumours (SST), 10 of the fibrothecomas spectrum, 2 Sertoli leydig cell tumours (SLCT) and one a sex cord tumour with annular tubules (SCTAT). Detailed immunohistochemical analyses were performed in 33 cases. Recurrence/metastasis was noted in 4/21 cases with follow-up data. Conclusions: Ovarian sex cord stromal tumours are very rare in young age in our population, and usually present at an early stage. Most common among these are juvenile granulosa cell tumours, although surprisingly sclerosing stromal tumours were also common. Clinical symptoms due to hormone secretion in premenstrual girls and menstrual disturbance in menstruating girls are common presenting features.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6347-6352
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• 2015

Background: Breast malignancies are one of the leading causes of deaths in females worldwide. There are a number of risk factors associated with breast cancer but in Karachi Pakistan there are insufficient data available. Materials and Methods: A case control study was conducted on females in age group between 30-80 years. This study was accomplished by retrospective data collection in Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 108 females with primary malignancy of breast were included along with 108 matched controls. Relationship of various factors with disease was studied using logistic regression to calculate odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals. Results: A total of 14 variables were analyzed and based on and 7 were found to be risk factors: old age, family history of breast cancer, family history of other carcinomas, personal history of breast carcinoma, early age of menarche, older age of mother at first delivery and lower number of children. Five factors, parity, breast feeding, history of oral contraceptive pills intake, past history of oophorectomy and hysterectomy showed protective associations. One variable, use of hormonal replacement therapy, showed a controversial link and one other, marital status, was not significant in this study. Conclusions: It is concluded that most of the well-known risk factors for breast cancer are also associated with the disease in the female population of Karachi, Pakistan. High risk patients should be the focus with the help of this study so that screening can be more effective for early diagnosis before clinically evident breast malignancy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.3907-3909
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• 2014

Background: Cytogenetic abnormalities have important implications in diagnosis and prognosis of acute leukemia and are now considered an important part of the diagnostic workup at presentation. Karyotype, if known at the time of diagnosis, guides physicians to plan appropriate management strategies for their patients. Aim and Objectives: To determine the cytogenetic profile of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Pakistani children in order to have insights regarding behavior of the disease. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all the cases of ALL (<15years old) diagnosed at Aga Khan University from January 2006 to June 2011 was performed. Cytogenetic analysis was made for all cases using the trypsin-Giemsa banding technique. Karyotypes were interpreted using the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature (ISCN) criteria. Results: A total of 153 patients were diagnosed as ALL during the study period, of which 127 samples successfully yielded metaphase chromosomes. The male to female ratio was 1.8:1. A normal karyotype was present in 51.2% (n=65) of the cases whereas 48.8% (n=62) had an abnormal karyotype. Most of the abnormal cases showed hyperdiploidy(13.4%) followed by t(9;22)(q34;q11.2) (7.08%). Conclusions: This study revealed a relative lack of good prognostic cytogenetic aberrations in Pakistani children with ALL.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers A
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.58-66
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• 2001

This paper presents an application of a newly designed Adaptive Genetic Algorithm (AGA) to solve the Optimal Feeder Routing (OFR) problem for distribution system planning. The main objective of the OFR problem usually is to minimize the total cost that is the sum of investment costs and system operation costs. We propose a properly designed AGA, in this paper, which can handle the horizon-year expansion planning problem of power distribution network in which the location of substation candidates, the location and amount of forecasted demands are given. In the proposed AGA, we applied adaptive operators using specially designed adaptive probabilities. we also a Simplified Load Flow (SLF) technique for radial networks to improve a searching efficiency of AGA. The proposed algorithm has been evaluated with the practical 32, 69 bus test system to show favorable performance. It is also shown that the proposed method for the OFR can also be used for the network reconfiguration problem in distribution system.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2473-2476
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• 2012

Background: In papillary and follicular thyroid cancers (PTC, FTC), nodal and distant metastasis are generally considered important determinants of recurrence and survival, respectively. However, there is no consensus about the threshold primary tumour size (PTS) for these determinants. The aim of this study was to assess size relationships for developing nodal, pulmonary, bone and overall distant metastases. Methods: This prospective study covered 139 (93 females and 46 males) consecutive biopsy proven patients with PTC (114/139, mean age $41.0{\pm}15.7$ years, M: F, 35%:65%) and FTC (25/139, mean age $39.2{\pm}14.3$ years, M: F: 24%:76%). Results: Average primary tumor size was $23.4{\pm}11.1$ mm and $26.5{\pm}13.1$ mm for PTC and FTC respectively (p value=0.223). Nodal metastasis was found more common in PTC than FTC (49% vs 28%, p value <0.05), whereas overall distant metastasis was approximately the same (13% and 24%, p value=0.277); however, bone metastasis was significantly higher in FTC than PTC (24% vs 5%, p value <0.05). Cumulative risk for nodal and distant metastases for FTC and PTC starts at PTS <20 mm and may indicate an unusual aggressive tumor behavior in the studied population. Highest cumulative risk for nodal and pulmonary metastases in PTC and for bone metastasis in FTC was found to be ${\geq}50$ mm PTS. Conclusion: We conclude that a PTS of <20 mm may indicate an unusual aggressive tumor behavior with highest cumulative risk for nodal and pulmonary metastases in PTC and for bone metastasis in FTC with a cutoff of ${\geq}50$ mm.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.171-177
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• 2015

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), one of alopecias, requires continuous treatment in order to prevent or stop it, and patient's compliance is very important. Currently, only two drugs (finasteride, minoxidil) have been approved for AGA by Food and Drug Administration of United States (US FDA). However, another ${\alpha}-2$ reductase inhibitor, dutasteride, is approved by Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) through a phase III trial. For treatment, pharmacotherapy of AGA usually combines topical minoxidil 7% with one of oral <${\alpha}-2$ reductase inhibitor. Objectives: We evaluated the comparative efficacy and adverse effect between topical minoxidil 7%/finasteride 1 mg and topical minoxidil 7%/dutasteride 0.5 mg pharmacotherapy for outpatients with AGA. Also we evaluated the relationship between therapeutic effect and regular hospital visit. Method: This study was performed retrospectively based on electronic medical record (EMR) data of total 98 patients (topical minoxidil 7% with dutasteride 0.5 mg ($Avodart^{(R)}$) or finasteride 1 mg ($Alopecia^{(R)}$, $Propecia^{(R)}$) with diagnosis of AGA from department of dermatology at a secondary hospital from January $1^{st}$, to May $31^{st}$, 2014. Results: The efficacy and adverse event of topical minoxidil 7%/dutasteride 0.5 mg (DUTA group) were 100% and 45.7%, and of topical minoxidil 7%/finasteride 1 mg (FINA group) were 92.1% and 33.3%, respectively. The mean onset time of responses and adverse events in the FINA group were 3.86 months and 4.43 months. Those in the DUTA group were 3.97 months and 5.06 months. Conclusion: Both FINA and DUTA group were highly effective, but the DUTA group showed higher efficacy and adverse effects than those in the FINA group. Dutasteride may be another alternative in AGA treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7541-7546
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• 2015

Aim: To report the histologic findings on Whipple resection specimens and thus determine the extent and spread of carcinomas of ampullary region and head of pancreas in our population. Setting: Section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: A case series of 311 consecutive Whipple resection specimens received between January 1,2003 and December 31, 2014. Specimens processed for histologic sections and representative sections submitted and histologically examined as per established and standard protocols. All relevant tumor parameters including histologic type, histologic grade, pathologic T and N stage and tumor size were assessed. Epidemiologic data were also recorded. All findings were analysed using SPSS 19.0 software. Results: Ampullary (periampullary) carcinomas were much more common than carcinomas of the head of the pancreas, especially in males, with an average age of 53 years. Mean tumor size was 2.5 cms, over 54% were well differentiated. A large majority were pT2 or pT3 and N0. Carcinomas of pancreatic head were also more common in males, mean age was 55 years, mean tumor size was 3.5cms, and over 65% were moderately differentiated. The majority were T2 or T3 and pN1. Prognostically, significant statistical correlation was seen with tumor grade and pathologic T and N stage (p values statistically significant). However, tumor size was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Ampullary carcinomas are more common compared to pancreatic carcinomas. Majority of ampullary carcinomas were well differentiated while majority of pancreatic carcinomas were moderately differentiated. Large majority of both types of cases were pT2 or T3. Histologic tumor grade and pathologic T and N stage are significantly related to prognosis in Pakistani patients with ampullary and pancreatic cancers.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.9 no.8
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• pp.2821-2839
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• 2015

Energy consumption by large computing systems has become an important research theme not only because the sources of energy are depleting fast but also due to the environmental concern. Computational grid is a huge distributed computing platform for the applications that require high end computing resources and consume enormous energy to facilitate execution of jobs. The organizations which are offering services for high end computation, are more cautious about energy consumption and taking utmost steps for saving energy. Therefore, this paper proposes a scheduling technique for Minimizing Energy consumption using Adapted Genetic Algorithm (MiE-AGA) for dependent tasks in Computational Grid (CG). In MiE-AGA, fitness function formulation for energy consumption has been mathematically formulated. An adapted genetic algorithm has been developed for minimizing energy consumption with appropriate modifications in each components of original genetic algorithm such as representation of chromosome, crossover, mutation and inversion operations. Pseudo code for MiE-AGA and its components has been developed with appropriate examples. MiE-AGA is simulated using Java based programs integrated with GridSim. Analysis of simulation results in terms of energy consumption, makespan and average utilization of resources clearly reveals that MiE-AGA effectively optimizes energy, makespan and average utilization of resources in CG. Comparative analysis of the optimization performance between MiE-AGA and the state-of-the-arts algorithms: EAMM, HEFT, Min-Min and Max-Min shows the effectiveness of the model.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1116-1122
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• 2011

In this study, site-directed mutagenesis was performed on the ${\beta}$-agarase AgaA gene from Zobellia galactanivorans to improve its catalytic activity and thermostability. The activities of three mutant enzymes, S63K, C253I, and S63K-C253I, were 126% (1,757.78 U/mg), 2.4% (33.47 U/mg), and 0.57% (8.01 U/mg), respectively, relative to the wild-type ${\beta}$-agarase AgaA (1,392.61 U/mg) at $40^{\circ}C$. The stability of the mutant S63K enzyme was 125% of the wild-type up to $45^{\circ}C$, where agar is in a sol state. The mutant S63K enzyme produced 166%, 257%, and 220% more neoagarohexaose, and 230%, 427%, and 350% more neoagarotetraose than the wild-type in sol, gel, and nonmelted powder agar, respectively, at $45^{\circ}C$ over 24 h. The mutant S63K enzyme produced 50% more neoagarooligosaccharides from agar than the wild-type ${\beta}$-agarase AgaA from agarose under the same conditions. Thus, mutant S63K ${\beta}$-agarase AgaA may be useful for the production of functional neoagarooligosaccharides.