• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.178-187
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• 2007

One important issue in power systems is dynamic instability due to loosing balance relation between electrical generation and a varying load demand that justifies the necessity of stabilization. Moreover, Power System Stabilizer (PSS) must have capability of producing appropriate stabilizing signals over a wide range of operating conditions and disturbances. To overcome these drawbacks, this paper proposes a new method for robust design of PSS by using an auto-tuning fuzzy control in combination with Real-Coded Genetic Algorithm (RCGA). This method includes two fuzzy controllers; internal fuzzy controller and supervisor fuzzy controller. The supervisor controller tunes the internal one by on-line applying of nonlinear scaling factors to inputs and outputs. The RCGA-based method is used for off-line training of this supervisor controller. The proposed PSS is tested in three operational conditions; nominal load, heavy load, and in the case of fault occurrence in transmission line. The simulation results are provided to compare the proposed PSS with conventional fuzzy PSS and conventional PSS. By evaluating the simulation results, it is shown that the performance and robustness of proposed PSS in different operating conditions is more acceptable

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1119-1123
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• 2014

Head and neck cancers (HNC) are extremely complex disease types and it is likely that chromosomal instability is involved in the genetic mechanisms of its genesis. However, there is little information regarding the background levels of chromosome instability in these patients. In this pilot study, we examined spontaneous chromosome instability in short-term lymphocyte cultures (72 hours) from 72 study subjects - 36 newly diagnosed HNC squamous cell carcinoma patients and 36 healthy ethnic controls. We estimated chromosome instability (CIN) using chromosomal aberration (CA) analysis and nuclear level anomalies using the Cytokinesis Block Micronucleus Cytome Assay (CBMN Cyt Assay). The proliferation rates in cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were assessed by calculating the Cytokinesis Block Proliferation Index (CBPI). Our results showed a significantly higher mean level of spontaneous chromosome type aberrations (CSAs), chromatid type aberration (CTAs) dicentric chromosomes (DIC) and chromosome aneuploidy (CANE UP) in patients (CSAs, $0.0294{\pm}0.0038$; CTAs, $0.0925{\pm}0.0060$; DICs, $0.0213{\pm}0.0003$; and CANE UPs, $0.0308{\pm}0.0035$) compared to controls (CSAs, $0.0005{\pm}0.0003$; CTAs, $0.0058{\pm}0.0015$; DICs, $0.0005{\pm}0.0003$; and CANEUPs, $0.0052{\pm}0.0013$) where p<0.001l. Similarly, spontaneous nuclear anomalies showed significantly higher mean level of micronuclei (MNi), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) and nuclear buds (NBUDs) among cases (MNi, $0.01867{\pm}0.00108$; NPBs, $0.0156{\pm}0.00234$; NBUDs, $0.00658{\pm}0.00068$) compared with controls (MNi, $0.00027{\pm}0.00009$; NPBs, $0.00002{\pm}0.00002$; NBUDs, $0.00011{\pm}0.00007$).The evaluation of CBPI supported genomic instability in the peripheral blood lymphocytes showing a significantly lower proliferation rate in HNC patients ($1.525{\pm}0.005552$) compared to healthy subjects ($1.686{\pm}0.009520$) (p<0.0001). In conclusion, our preliminary results showed that visible spontaneous genomic instability and low rate proliferation in the cultured peripheral lymphocytes of solid tumors could be biomarkers to predict malignancy in early stages.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.500-507
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• 2018

Cell reprogramming has been considered a powerful technique in the regenerative medicine field. In addition to diverse its strengths, cell reprogramming technology also has several drawbacks generated during the process of reprogramming. Telomere shortening caused by the cell reprogramming process impedes the efficiency of cell reprogramming. Transcription factors used for reprogramming alter genomic contents and result in genetic mutations. Additionally, defective mitochondria functioning such as excessive mitochondrial fission leads to the limitation of pluripotency and ultimately reduces the efficiency of reprogramming. These problems including genomic instability and impaired mitochondrial dynamics should be resolved to apply cell reprograming in clinical research and to address efficiency and safety concerns. Sirtuin (NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase) has been known to control the chromatin state of the telomere and influence mitochondria function in cells. Recently, several studies reported that Sirtuins could control for genomic instability in cell reprogramming. Here, we review recent findings regarding the role of Sirtuins in cell reprogramming. And we propose that the manipulation of Sirtuins may improve defects that result from the steps of cell reprogramming.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2008

Telomeres consist of tandem guanine-thymine(G-T) repeats in most eukaryotic chromosomes. Human telomeres are predominantly linear, double stranded DNA as they ended in 30-200 nucleotides(bases,b) 3'-overhangs. In DNA replication, removal of the terminal RNA primer from the lagging strand results in a 3'-overhang of uncopied DNA. This is because of bidirectional DNA replication and specificity of unidirectional DNA polymerase. After the replication, parental and daughter DNA strands have unequal lengths due to a combination of the end-replication problem and end-processing events. The gradual chromosome shortening is observed in most somatic cells and eventually leads to cellular senescence. Telomere shortening could be a molecular clock that signals the replicative senescence. The shortening of telomeric ends of human chromosomes, leading to sudden growth arrest, triggers DNA instability as biological switches. In addition, telomere dysfunction may cause chronic allograft nephropathy or kidney cancers. The renal cell carcinoma(RCC) in women may be less aggressive and have less genomic instability than in man. Younger patients with telomere dysfunction are at a higher risk for RCC than older patients. Thus, telomeres maintain the integrity of the genome and are involved in cellular aging and cancer. By studying the telomeric DNA, we may characterize the genetic determinants in diseases and discover the tools in molecular medicine.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.453-465
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• 2000

Background : Lung carcinogenesis is a multistage process involving alterations in multiple genes and diverse pathway. Mutational activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, and subsequent increased genetic instability are the major genetic events. The p53 gene and FHIT gene as tumor suppressor genes contribute to the pathogenesis of lung cancer, evidenced by mutation, microsatellite instability(MI) and loss of heterozygosity(LOH). Methods : We analysed genetic mutations of p53 and FHIT gene in 29 surgical specimens of nonsmall cell lung cancer using PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism, DNA sequencing and RT-PCR. MI and LOH were analyzed in loci of D3S1285, D9S171, and TP53. Results : In 2 cases, point mutation of p53 gene was observed on exon 5. MI of 3 times and LOH of 14 times were observed in at least one locus. In terms of the location of microsatellite, D3S1285 as a marker of FH1T was observed in 5 cases out of 26 specimens; D9S171 as a marker of p16 in 5 out of 17; and TP53 as a marker of p53 in 7 out of 27. In view of histologic type, squamous cell carcinoma presented higher frequency of microsatellite alteration, compared to others. Mutation of FHIT gene was observed in 11 cases and 6 cases of those were point mutation as a silent substitution on exon 8. FHIT mRNA expression exhibited deletion on exon 6 to 9 in 4 cases among 15 specimens, presenting beta-actin normally. Conclusion : Our results show comparable frequency of genetic alteration in nonsmall cell lung cancer to previous studies of Western countries. Microsatellite analysis might have a role as a tumor marker especially in squamous cell carcinoma. Understanding molecular abnormalities involved in the pathogenesis could potentially lead to prevention, earlier diagnosis and the development of novel investigational approaches to the treatment of lung cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2185-2193
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• 2016

Background: The pathogenesis of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) is influenced by the patient genetic background and environmental factors. Based on prior understanding, these are classified in two major pathways of genetic instability. Microsatellite instability (MSI) and CPG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) are categorized as features of the hypermethylated prototype, and chromosomal instability (CIN) is known to be indicative of the non-hypermethylated category. Secreted frizzled related protein 2 (SFRP2), APC1A in WNT signaling pathway and the DNA repair gene, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), are frequently hypermethylated in colorectal cancer. Detection of methylated DNA as a biomarker by easy and inexpensive methods might improve the quality of life of patients with CRC via early detection of cancer or a precancerous condition. Aim: To evaluate the rate of SFRP2 and MGMT hypermethylation in both polyp tissue and serum of patients in south Iran as compared with matched control normal population corresponding samples. Materials and Methods: Methylation-specific PCR was used to detect hypermethylation in DNA extracted from 48 polypoid tissue samples and 25 healthy individuals. Results: Of total polyp samples, 89.5% had at least one promoter gene hypermethylation. The most frequent methylated locus was SFRP2 followed by MGMT-B (81.2 and 66.6 percent respectively). Serologic detection of hypermethylation was 95% sensitive as compared with polyp tissue. No hypermethylation was detected in normal tissue and serum and its detection in patients with polyps, especially of serrated type, was specific. Conclusions: Serologic investigation for detection of MGMT-B, SFRP2 hypermethylation could facilitate prioritization of high risk patients for colonoscopic polyp detection and excision.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1917-1923
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• 2016

Background: Lynch Syndrome (LS) is a familial cancer condition caused by germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes. Individuals with LS have a greatly increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) and it is therefore important to identify mutation carriers so they can undergo regular surveillance. Tumor DNA from LS patients characteristically shows microsatellite instability (MSI). Our aim here was to screen young CRC patients for MSI as a first step in the identification of unrecognized cases of LS in the Saudi population. Materials and Methods: Archival tumor tissue was obtained from 284 CRC patients treated at 4 institutes in Dammam and Riyadh between 2006 and 2015 and aged less than 60 years at diagnosis. MSI screening was performed using the BAT-26 microsatellite marker and positive cases confirmed using the pentaplex MSI analysis system. Positive cases were screened for BRAF mutations to exclude sporadic CRC and were evaluated for loss of expression of 4 DNA mismatch repair proteins using immunohistochemistry. Results: MSI was found in 33/284 (11.6%) cases, of which only one showed a BRAF mutation. Saudi MSI cases showed similar instability in the BAT-26 and BAT-25 markers to Australian MSI cases, but significantly lower frequencies of instability in 3 other microsatellite markers. Conclusions: MSI screening of young Saudi CRC patients reveals that approximately 1 in 9 are candidates for LS. Patients with MSI are strongly recommended to undergo genetic counselling and germline mutation testing for LS. Other affected family members can then be identified and offered regular surveillance for early detection of LS-associated cancers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2027-2033
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• 2014

Background: We aimed to assess RET proto-oncogene polymorphisms in three different Iranian families with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), and performed molecular dynamics simulations and free energy stability analysis of these mutations. Materials and Methods: This study consisted of 48 patients and their first-degree relatives with MTC confirmed by pathologic diagnosis and surgery. We performed molecular dynamics simulations and free energy stability analysis of mutations, and docking evaluation of known RET proto-oncogene inhibitors, including ZD-6474 and ponatinib, with wild-type and mutant forms. Results: The first family consisted of 27 people from four generations, in which nine had the C.G2901A (P.C634Y) mutation; the second family consisted of six people, of whom three had the C.G2901T (P.C634F) mutation, and the third family, who included 12 individuals from three generations, three having the C.G2251A (P.G691S) mutation. The automated 3D structure of RET protein was predicted using I-TASSER, and validated by various protein model verification programs that showed more than 96.3% of the residues in favored and allowed regions. The predicted instability indices of the mutated structures were greater than 40, which reveals that mutated RET protein is less thermo-stable compared to the wild-type form (35.4). Conclusions: Simultaneous study of the cancer mutations using both in silico and medical genetic procedures, as well as onco-protein inhibitor binding considering mutation-induced drug resistance, may help in better overcoming chemotherapy resistance and designing innovative drugs.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2003

As a consequence of tissue culture of rice, RAPD analysis was peformed to determine whether extended culture periods as undifferentiated calli affected the subsequent genetic constancy, and whether any resulting DNA rearrangements could be detected between sibling plants produced from the same callus. Somaclonal variation was induced at the initial stage of tissue culture and it increased with the length of culture maintenance. Of the 192 total bands, the number of polymorphic bands was 22 (11.5%), 33 (17.2%), and 49 (25.5%) in the callus of 1,3, and 6 months culture, respectively. A significantly higher level of genotypic polymorphisms between regenerants from two different somaclones was also detected, although all the regenerants were derived from a single genotype. In comparison of DNA polymorphisms between regenerants from non-irradiated and from irradiated calli, a scope of variation spectrum by gamma ray irradiation was larger than that by tissue culture. Consideration must be given to this genomic variation where attempts are to be made to use desirable somaclonal variants for plant breeding purpose and in genetic engineering program.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1914-1922
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• 2004

This paper provides a comprehensive study of optimum design of a helicopter tailrotor driveshaft made of the flexible matrix composites (FMCs). Since the driveshaft transmits power while subjected to large bending deformation due to aerodynamic loadings, the FMCs can be ideal for enhancing the drivetrain performance by absorbing the lateral deformation without shaft segmentation. However, the increased lateral flexibility and high internal damping of the FMCs may induce whirling instability at supercritical operating conditions. Thus, the purpose of optimization in this paper is to find a set of tailored FMC parameters that compromise between the lateral flexibility and the whirling stability while satisfying several criteria such as torsional buckling safety and the maximum shaft temperature at steadystate conditions. At first, the drivetrain was modeled based on the finite element method and the classical laminate theory with complex modulus approach. Then, an objective function was defined as a combination of an allowable bending deformation and external damping and a genetic algorithm was applied to search for an optimum set with respect to ply angles and stack sequences. Results show that an optimum laminate consists of two groups of layers: (i) one has ply angles well below 45$^{\circ}$ and the other far above 45$^{\circ}$ and (ii) the number of layers with low ply angles is much bigger than that with high ply angles. It is also found that a thick FMC shaft is desirable for both lateral flexibility and whirling stability. The genetic algorithm was effective in converging to several local optimums, whose laminates exhibit similar patterns as mentioned above.