• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.130-133
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• 2002

The last step in the photocycle of photoactive yellow protein (PYP) is a spontaneous recovery of the dark state from the active state in which the p-coumaric acid chromophore is thermally isomerized, concomitantly with the deprotona- tion of the chtomophore and the refolding of the protein moicty. For the purpose of understanding the mechanism of the thermal back-isomerization, we have investigated the rate-determining step by analyzing mutant PYPs of Met100, which was previously shown to play a major role in facilitating the reaction (1). The mutation to Lys, Leu, Ala, or Glu decelerated the dark state recovery by 1 to 3 three orders of magnitude. By evaluating temperature-dependence and pH-dependence of the kinetics of the dark state recovery, it was found that the retardation by mutations resulted from elevation of the activation enthalpy ( H$\^$┿/) and that the pKa of the chromophore, which was affected by the mutation, is in a linier correlation with the amplitude of the rate constants. It was, therefore, deduced from the correlation that the free energy for crossing the activated state in the dark recovery process is proportional to the free energy for the deprotonation of the chromophore, identifying the rate-determining step as the deprotonation of the chromophore. (1) Devanathan, S. Genick, U. K. Canestrelli, I. L. Meyer, T. E. Cusanovich, M. A. Getzoff, E. D. Tollin, G., Biochemistry 1998, 37, 11563 - 11568

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems Conference
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• 1998.10a
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• pp.420-426
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• 1998

Evolutionary algorithms are probabilistic optimization algorithms based on the model of natural evolution. Recently the efforts to improve the performance of evolutionary algorithms have been made extensively. In this paper, we introduce the research for improving the convergence rate and search faculty of evolution algorithms by using reinforcement learning. After providing an introduction to evolution algorithms and reinforcement learning, we present adaptive genetic algorithms, reinforcement genetic programming, and reinforcement evolution strategies which are combined with reinforcement learning. Adaptive genetic algorithms generate mutation probabilities of each locus by interacting with the environment according to reinforcement learning. Reinforcement genetic programming executes crossover and mutation operations based on reinforcement and inhibition mechanism of reinforcement learning. Reinforcement evolution strategies use the variances of fitness occurred by mutation to make the reinforcement signals which estimate and control the step length.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.97-101
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• 2018

Tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome (TRPS) is a hereditary disorder characterized by craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities. A mutation of the TRPS1 gene leads to TRPS type I or type III. A 20-year-old male patient visited our neurologic department with chronic fatigue. He presented with short stature, sparse hair, pear-shaped nose, and brachydactyly. Radiologic study showed short metacarpals, metatarsals with cone-shaped epiphyses, hypoplastic femur and hip joint. Panel sequencing for OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man) listed genes revealed a de novo heterozygous frameshift mutation of c.1801_1802delGA (p.Arg601Lysfs*3) of exon 4 of the TRPS1 gene. The diagnosis of TRPS can be challenging due to the rarity and variable phenotype of the disease, clinicians should be aware of its characteristic clinical features that will lead a higher rate of diagnosis.

• Journal of the Korean neurological association
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.345-349
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• 2018

Familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (fCJD) is characteristic with older age onset, relatively low occurrence rate, slower progression and lower possibility of developing myoclonus, cerebellar, pyramidal signs and visual disturbance compared with classical sporadic CJD. We report a case of 75-year-old male patient presented with sudden onset of right side weakness with Broca's aphasia who has been diagnosed with fCJD with V180I mutation. This case indicates that fCJD with V180I mutation can have stroke-like initial presentation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4759-4768
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• 2015

Background: Several studies have investigated predictive and prognostic biomarkers for patients treated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) agents in lung cancer. However, the conclusion is controversial. Materials and Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the associations of mutant K-ras, PIK3CA and PTEN deficiency with the efficacy of anti-EGFR agents in lung cancer. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). The secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: A total of 61 studies were included in the final meta-analysis. The result showed that K-ras mutation was a good predictor for ORR (RR=0.42, 95%CI, 0.33-0.55, p=0.000) and an effective prognostic marker for OS (HR=1.37, 95%CI, 1.15-1.65, p=0.001) and PFS (HR=1.33, 95%CI, 1.05-1.69, p=0.019). However, PTEN deficiency or PIK3CA mutation did not show any significance predictive value for ORR (PTEN, RR=0.82, 95%CI, 0.56-1.19, p=0.286; PIK3CA, RR=1.08, 95%CI, 0.17-6.66, P=0.938). And PTEN deficiency or expression of PIK3CA did not show significance prognostic value for OS (PTEN, HR=0.88, 95%CI, 0.31-2.46,P=0.805; PIK3CA, HR=0.79, 95%CI: 0.23-2.68, P=0.706). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis showed that K-ras mutation may be an effective predictor in lung cancer patients treated with anti-EGFR agents. Whereas, the predictive and prognostic value of PTEN deficiency and PIK3CA mutation need to be further investigated.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.363-370
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• 2017

Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC), a malignant tumor of biliary origin, has a poor prognosis with limited treatment options. The KRAS oncogene is the most commonly mutated gene in ECC and one of the factors that predicts a poor prognosis and low survival rate. L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is expressed in ECC cells and acts as an independent poor prognostic factor in predicting patient survival. In this study we investigate the functional significance of L1CAM in ECC cells with activating KRAS mutation. We selected an ECC cell line, EGI-1, with activating KRAS mutation, and then confirmed its expression of L1CAM by RT-PCR, western blot analysis, and flow cytometry. The suppression of L1CAM expression (using a specific lentivirus-delivered shRNA) significantly decreased the migratory and invasive properties of EGI-1 cells, without altering their proliferation or survival. Analyses of signaling effectors in L1CAM-depleted and control EGI-1 cells indicated that L1CAM suppression decreased the levels of both phosphorylated MKK4 and total MKK4, together with c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation. Further, exposure to a JNK inhibitor (SP600125) decreased migration and invasion of EGI-1 cells. These results suggest that L1CAM promotes cellular migration and invasion via the induction of MKK4 expression, leading to JNK activation. Our study is the first to demonstrate a functional role for L1CAM in ECC carrying the activating KRAS mutation. Given that KRAS is the most commonly mutated oncogene in ECC, L1CAM may serve as an attractive therapeutic target for ECC cells with activating KRAS mutation.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.152-160
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• 2001

The presence of HPV DNA and the expression of p53 protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were determined to evaluate the relationship of these factors and their association with their pathologic stages and cervical lymph node metastasis. Among 65 patients the presence of HPV DNA was found in 12 cases(18.5%), p53 was found positive in 32 cases(49.2%) and expression of PCNA was observed in 24 cases(36.9%). The expression of PCNA was more frequent in the HPV positive cancers compared with the HPV negative ones(p =0.0018), and p53 revealed its higher rate of cooccurrence with the expression of PCNA(p =0.008), which might suggest that PCNA expression has a positive relationship with HPV and p53 mutation in head and neck cancer. There might be inverse relationship between HPV and p53 mutation(p =0.063), but 3 cases showed both HPV DNA positivity and p53 expression. HPV was detected at a higher rate in the early pathologic stages than in the advanced stages of cancer, and p53 expression was more frequently found in the advanced stages(p =0.044). These results suggests that HPV and p53 mutation might have different etiologic roles in the development of head and neck cancer, or cases with p53 mutation might have more aggressive behavior. PCNA expression showed no difference between early and late stages of cancer, and between cases with and without cervical lymph node metastasis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.5037-5042
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• 2012

Background: Tobacco contains agents which generate various potent DNA adducts that can cause gene mutations. Production of DNA adducts may be neutralized by glutathione S transferase (GST) along with other phase I and phase II enzyme systems. The existence of null type of GST among the population increases the susceptibility to various disorders and diseases. The present study focuses on the impact of high tobacco usage and possible null type mutation in GST loci. Methods: Genotypes of GST were detected by multiplex polymerase chain reaction in unrelated 504 volunteers of high tobacco using natives of Gujarat. Allelic frequencies were calculated using Statistical Package for Social Studies-16 software. Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) was calculated using Chi square test. Two sided Fisher's significance test was used to compare allelic frequencies of different populations. Results: The frequency of homozygous null genotype of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were 20% (95% CI 16.7-23.9) and 35.5% (95% CI 31.4-39.9) respectively. The GSTM1 and GSTT1 null allele frequency distribution in the Gujarat population was significantly deviating from HWE. GSTT1 null frequency of Gujaratians was significantly higher and different to all reported low tobacco using Indian ethnics, while GSTM1 was not differing significantly. Conclusion: Tobacco usage significantly influences the rate of mutation and frequency of GSTT1 and M1 null types among the habituates. The rate of mutation in GSTT1 loci was an undeviating response to the dose of tobacco usage among the population. This mutational impact of tobacco on GSTT1 postulates the possible gene - environment interaction and selection of null genotype among the subjects to prone them under susceptible status for various cancers and even worst to cure the population with GSTT1 dependent drugs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.2879-2883
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• 2013

Objective: To investigate differences in mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene and relationships with clinicopathological features in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between Uygur and Han ethnic groups. Methods: The Scorpions amplification refractory mutation system (Scorpions ARMS) was used to measure mutations in exons 18, 19, 20 and 21 of the EGFR gene in paraffin-embedded tumor tissue from NSCLC cases, and statistical analysis was performed to investigate links with clinicopathological features in different histological types of NSCLC. Results: Results from ARMS testing showed EGFR mutations in tumor tissues from six (6) of 50 NSCLC patients of Uygur ethnic group, with a positive rate of 12.0%; four of them (4) had exon 19 deletion in EGFR, and two (2) had L858R point mutation in exon 21 of EGFR. Statistically significant difference was noted in EGFR genetic mutation between adenocarcinoma and non-adenocarcinoma (P < 0.05), but no differences with gender, age group, smoking status, or stage (P > 0.05). EGFR mutations were detected in tumor tissues from 27 of 49 NSCLC patients of Han ethnic group, with a positive rate of 55.1%; 19 of them had exon 19 deletions, seven (7) had L858R point mutations in exon 21 of EGFR and one (1) had mutations in both exon 18 G719X and exon 20 T790M of EGFR. Statistically significant differences were noted in EGFR genetic mutations between genders and between adenocarcinoma and non-adenocarcinoma (P<0.05), but not with age group, smoking status, or stage (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Statistically significant differences were noted in the positive rates of EGFR genetic mutations in NSCLC patients between Uygur and Han ethnic groups, with lower positive rates for the Uygur cases.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2007

We investigated the selection and sensitivity to environmental mutagen of silkworm reared artificial diet to develop all-year-round operation system using a specific locus mutation of Bombyx mori. In the system, mutagenicity could be detected by the egg colour manifested by the pe and/or re genes, which is a kind of recessive visible mutation of the insect. Among, hi, Backokjam, C5, and N12, varieties of silkworm, AT was higher than other varieties in eclosion rate of female, and C5 and N12 were higher in fertility of male. Bakokjam was higher in eclosion rate of female, rate of moth to lay eggs normally in female and male, no. of eggs layed in female and fertility of female. As above results, Bakokjam was finally selected as the most fitness one among varieties of silkworm reared artificial diet. But the sensitivity to mutagen was lower than other varieties. In the sensitivity to mutagen, AT was the most sensitivity to mutagen in tested varieties of silkworm. To use AT variety in this system, AT was improved major characteristics, eclosion rate, fertility, rate of moth to lay eggs normally, and so on, by crossing of other varieties including Bakokjam.