Search

Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an acute viral infection that can cause death. The detection of host transcriptome is important for understanding differences in the pathogenesis of the disease. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate gene expression in different biological processes. They have also emerged as key molecules for therapeutic targets. We investigated the lncRNA gene expression profiles by utilizing the microarray for the first time in CCHF. LncRNAs were determined by the comparisons between case‐control, fatal case‐control, and fatal case‐nonfatal cases. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was applied to validate the microarray results of some lncRNAs. In our study, 39 lncRNAs (5 downregulated and 34 upregulated) were found to be significantly regulated in the cases when compared to the controls (p < 0.05; FC ≥ 2). One hundred ten lncRNAs exhibited a statistically significant difference between fatal cases and controls. FER1L4, ECRP, and LOC100133669 are important lncRNAs in both case and fatal case groups compared with controls. These lncRNAs may be considered important therapeutic targets for the CCHF in further studies.

In this study, harvesters, sensors and data acquisition cards were designed and tested to obtain data from transmission lines. In this context; numerical analyses of harvesters with two different core geometries were performed with Ansys Maxwell software. Then the voltage and power harvested by the harvesters at different line currents were measured with pre-tests in the laboratory. Analyses’ results and pre-test’s results were examined and it was determined that the geometric structure (double C) model suitable for use in overhead transmission lines with high current could be used. The field test was carried out on a distribution transformer. In the field test, the harvester mounted on the transformer supply line has charged the battery supplying the sensor circuit with sufficient power to ensure normal operation of the system. A circuit is designed to measure air temperature, humidity, pressure, altitude, air quality and transformer temperature and to transmit them to the remote distance with RF transmitter. Data received on the data collection card can be recorded at certain periods and time-based graphs of the data can be obtained by a computer interface program. The energy of this circuit is to meet the energy harvested from the electromagnetic field.

Today, many applications requiring mass manufacturing are shifting to robotic applications through automation systems. The actuators used in these robotic systems should be designed according to needs. In this study, an air core spherical motor which has rotor and stator winding arrangement is described. The spherical motor’s windings are optimally positioned on the stator made of delrin. Mutual inductance and self-inductance change were examined according to r=4, 20, 40 and 60 mm radius and the change in the number of stator winding for the spherical motor. Changes in inductance were found through curve fitting method with the coefficients of cubic equations. Equivalent circuit with winding inductance model is also given. Torque change according to magnet change was also investigated. Magnetic flux density change of N52 M magnet 3 winding 2-pole model was examined and the effect of the increase in overall size on torque was evaluated.

Axial flux machines are used frequently in wind energy applications due to their high power densities and efficiencies. However, the parametrical dependencies of those generators affect the generated power and efficiencies. For instance, turbine blade structures dimensions, change dramatically the speed and torque characteristics. Hence, this study includes a pursuit of optimization and the related design parameters for an axial generator in terms of its off grid operations. The analytical design relations and simulated data have shown that the geometric dimensions and morphology of the machine can be analyzed effectively under the finite element method and the optimization of the machine can be provided with a good accuracy by applying the response surface optimization. Cogging torque and power density formulated aim function gives a good optimization for the design. According to this approach, the general performance of the machine is maximized and the cogging torque and weight are kept to be decreased. Design variables are optimized by considering the generator size. Consequently, an optimal 4.8% increase in weight can yield to a 27.4% power enhancement in the machine.

WOS: 000429627800012, PubMed ID: 29424733, Objective: Cardiovascular diseases are the most important cause of mortality worldwide, particularly atherosclerosis. Recently, lncRNAs affecting atherosclerotic progression have been reported in vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and monocytes, suggesting that lncRNAs play an important role in atherosclerosis. Methods: In recent clinical studies, nowadays, it was determined that internal mammary bypass grafts are closest to ideal grafts in coronary artery bypass surgery. In this study, we used tissue samples taken from atherosclerotic coronary arteries and the internal mammary artery (IMA) during coronary artery bypass surgery. Using RT-PCR, we investigated the role of two lncRNAs, FENDRR and LincRNA-p21, by comparing their expression levels in coronary artery plaques and normal mammary arteries of 20 atherosclerotic patients. Results: We found that the FENDRR and LincRNA-p21 expressions decreased by approximately 2 and 7 fold in coronary artery plaques, respectively, compared with those in IMA, which is known to have no plaque development. Conclusion: This study was the first to use mammary artery tissues of the same patients as a control and to study FENDRR expression. Our data may provide helpful insights regarding the association of lncRNAs and atherosclerosis.

WOS: 000415375600005, PubMed ID: 28843003, Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease caused by the Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are type 1 transmembrane proteins of immune cells that play a critical role in innate and adaptive immunity. The present study first time aims to investigate the relation between TLR10 gene polymorphisms (720A/C, 992T/A, and 2322A/G), severity/non-severity, fatality/non-fatality, and CCFH disease by using PCR-RFLP assay in a Turkish population. TLR10 720A/C polymorphism was determined to be statistically significant both genotype and allele frequency (P=0,011, P=0.015, respectively). TLR10 992T/A polymorphism was found statistically significant relationships between patient and control (P=0.026) and individual with AA genotype have approximately three times greater risk than TT genotype (OR=2.93). There was not a significant difference in 2322A/G genotype distribution (P=0.152). There were also statistically significant associations between both TLR10 992T/A and 2322A/G polymorphism and patient mortality (P=0.001 and P=0.008, respectively). We have not found statistically any linkage among TLR10 haplotype, but individual AAA and GAT haplotype have higher risk than individual AAT haplotype (OR=3.22, OR=1.93, respectively). Consequently, this study shows that pathogenesis of CCHF disease is associated with the TLR10 720A/C and 992T/A polymorphisms. There is a statistically significant association in fatal/non-fatal patients with TLR10 720A/C and 992T/A. The TLR10 992AA genotype might increase and TLR10 720CC genotype might decrease susceptibility to pathogenesis of CCHF disease. TLR 10 polymorphisms may be also an important biomarker for CCHF susceptibility and fatality rate., Research Council of Cumhuriyet University [F-171], Research Council of Cumhuriyet University, Grant number: F-171

TEM Journal; Vol 6, No 2, 2017. ISSN 2217-8309, In this study a design and optimization of a generator to be used in free piston applications was made. In order to supply required initial force, an IPM (interior permanent magnets) cavity tube type linear generator was selected. By using analytical equations’ basic dimensioning of generator was made. By using Ansys-Maxwell dimensioning, analysis and optimization of the generator was realized. Also, the effects of design basic variables (pole step ratio, cavity step ratio, inner diameter - outer diameter ratio, primary final length, air interval) on pinking force were examined by using parametric analyses. Among these variables, cavity step ratio, inner diameter - outer diameter ratio, primary final length were optimally determined by algorithm and sequential nonlinear programming. The two methods were compared in terms of pinking force calculation problem. Preliminary application of the linear generator was performed for free piston application.

WOS: 000450272100014, Objective: Coronary artery disease, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, is an inflammatory disease. The X-ray repair cross complementing 1 (XRCC1) gene plays the role of scaffolding protein for the base excision repair (BER) and single strand break (SSB) repair. Methods: The study population consisted of 402 participants living in the same region and classified into case group (n = 201) and control group (n = 201). Phenol-chloroform method was used to extract DNA from blood samples of the study participants. The X-ray repair cross complementing 1 genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction/ fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) methods. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the study groups in terms of allele and genotype frequencies in XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism. However, distribution of XRCC1 399Gln allele frequency was found to differ at a statistically significant level between the case and the control groups (p = 0.003; OR = 1.56). Regarding the Arg/Arg genotype in Arg399Gln polymorphism, a statistically significant difference was detected in the distribution of Gln/Gln genotype (p = 0.017; adj OR = 3.11). Statistically significant differences were also recorded for Arg399Gln polymorphism among the smoking male participants with hypertension (p = 0.009;p = 0.031;p = 0.032, respectively). Conclusion: The study suggests that XRCC1 399Gln/Gln genotype may be a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease., Research Council of Cumhuriyet University (CUBAP) [F-340], This study was supported by the Research Council of Cumhuriyet University (CUBAP, Project No: F-340).

WOS: 000414069700024, PubMed ID: 29035780, Background and aims: Genetic and environmental factors are important components of the development of atherosclerosis. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) have emerged as regulators of multiple pathophysiological pathways in the cardiovascular system. Here, we investigated potential associations between lncRNAs and atherosclerosis. Methods: Tissue samples from atherosclerotic coronary artery plaques and non-atherosclerotic internal mammary artery were obtained from 20 patients during coronary artery bypass surgery. Expression levels of five lncRNAs known to be associated with coronary artery disease were measured using quantitative PCR. Results: Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B antisense RNA 1 (ANRIL) and myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT) were more expressed in the atherosclerotic arteries compared to the non-atherosclerotic arteries. Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) was less expressed in the atherosclerotic plaques. Expression levels of potassium voltage-gated channel, KQT-like subfamily, member 1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) and hypoxia inducible factor 1A antisense RNA 2 (aHIF) were comparable between atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic arteries. In the atherosclerotic plaque, expression levels of MALAT1, MIAT, KCNQ1OT1 and aHIF were inversely correlated with age. Conclusions: We report significant associations between lncRNAs and atherosclerosis. These findings support a role for lncRNAs in coronary artery disease development. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Ankara, Turkey [115S044, 3001]; Ministry of Higher Education and Research of Luxembourg; Society for Research in Child Development, The present study was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK, project no: 115S044, project code: 3001), Ankara, Turkey. T.L. and Y.D. are supported by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research of Luxembourg and the Society for Research in Child Development.

WOS: 000329220100007, PubMed ID: 23692311, Coronary artery disease (CAD), which is now regarded as a chronic inflammatory disease, is the leading cause of death worldwide. Nuclear factor (NF)-B is a transcription factor that plays an important role in the regulation of the immune system. NF-BIA is the inhibitory version of NF-B. This study is the first investigation of the association between CAD and NF-BIA-297 C/T, -826 C/T, -881 A/G polymorphisms in a Turkish population using PCR-RFLP method. The study population comprised 201 cases with CAD and 201 healthy controls. There was no significant difference in NF-B1A-297 C/T and -881 A/G in allele and genotype frequencies between case and control populations. The genotype frequency of NF-BIA-826TT in the patients with CAD was significantly higher than that of the controls (p=0.015, adjusted OR=7.09, 95% CI=1.95-25.70). The patients with CAD also had significantly higher carriage rate of NF-BIA-826T allele than the controls (p=0.03, OR=1.43, 95% CI=1.03-1.99). Linkage analysis indicated a close linkage among these three variants of NF-BIA (for case, (2)=85.35 and p, Research Council of Cumhuriyet University (CUBAP), Sivas, Turkey [F-328, F-340], This study was supported by the Research Council of Cumhuriyet University (CUBAP, Project No: F-328 and F-340), Sivas, Turkey.

WOS: 000299127400009, PubMed ID: 22066734, Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). Nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B regulates the expression of hundreds of genes, including inflammatory and immunoregulatory, cell cycle regulating, and anti-apoptotic genes. NF-kappa BIA (I kappa B alpha) encodes an inhibitory version of the NF-kappa B proteins. Methods: This study is the first to investigate the association between NF-kappa B1-94W/D and NF-kappa BIA 3 -> UTR A -> G polymorphisms and CCHF using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Results: There was a significant difference in NF-kappa B1 - 94W/D genotype distribution between CCHF patients and control populations (p = 0.001). Comparison of the WW genotype with both WD and DD genotypes revealed that the difference between CCHF patients and controls was statistically significant (p = 0.043 for WD genotype, p = 0.018 for DD genotype). However, a significant deviation was found between patients with fatal CCHF and control populations (p = 0.025). The results show that patients with fatal CCHF with the DD genotype have a 4.06-times higher risk for CCHF compared to patients in the control group (odds ratio (OR) 4.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-14.87). A significant difference in NF-kappa BIA 3 -> UTR A -> G polymorphisms was observed between CCHF patients and controls in both AA vs AG and AA vs GG (OR 2.04, p = 0.019; OR 2.01, p = 0.049, respectively). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that NF-kappa B1 - 94W/D and NF-kappa BIA 3 -> UTR A -> G polymorphisms may be valuable predictors of the clinical course in CCHF disease.

Current harmonics of the permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) varies with the shaft structures. These harmonics produce additional loses at both windings and the core of a PMSM and increase the temperature inside the machine. Such a temperature increase affects the machine parameters and the efficiency. Therefore, in order to obtain the optimum operating conditions of a PMSM, current harmonics should be analyzed. In the present study, two types of rotors for a PMSM have been simulated and evaluated with a current controlled voltage source inverter (VSI) by the help of a 3D finite element method. As a result of these simulations, motor current harmonics are examined by using the Hamming method at different modulation frequencies and the outputs of efficiencies, torques, powers and the induced voltages on windings are compared for these shaft structures. It has been proven that the current ripples and harmonics may be decreased to some extend by using a symmetrical structure among the proposed structures.

An inertial electrostatic confinement fusion device modeling has been carried out. Finite element method is used in a 3D media in order to identify the potential and electrical fields inside the device. The effects of different materials on the electrostatic features are found. In addition, different geometric arrangements for cathode sphere (i.e. inner grid) are considered for the determination of spatial potential and electrical field. The effects of dielectric materials such as porcelain and polystyrene as the cathode holder have also been explored. It is found that porcelain giving a minimal potential value at the center of inner grid in order to confine ions. Increase in number of vertical rings on the inner grid diminishes the bottom corner of electrical potential, thereby ions are scattered to the entire region of the inner grid, thereby, an optimal shape for the inner grid can be adjusted for a better ion core at the middle of the grid for the confinement.

A Case Study of a New Spot Welding Electrode Which has the Best Current Density by Magnetic Analysis Solutions At the present time work of spot welding is being broadly used at automotive applications which need serial production process and at part unification. In order to create a high quality spot welding time of welding, electric current intensity, junction, stress, and diameter of electrodes point must be considered earlier, Geometry of electrode point and current density are important for increasing quality at spot welding. In this study, Enose, Bnose and parabolic (ParaCap) type electrode geometries have been considered during design processes. Meanwhile, CMW 73, CMW 100, CMW 353, Elkaloy D, Elkaloy 20, Copper alloyed electrode types have been analyzed by using a magnetic analyzes software. The results helped to determine the best suitable electrode type which gives the best current density amongst different alloys and electrode shapes for the spot welding machines which have same diameter of electrode point.

WOS: 000298197800001, Oylum Hoyuk falls within the borders of the province of Kills, located in the southern part of Turkey. It is an important Bronze Age settlement dating back to 5500 BC. In this study, the sex of 36 individuals found in Oylum Hoyuk was examined using morphological and genetic methods. In the morphological method, sex was identified in 14 female and 13 male individuals. The remaining 8 individuals could not be identified due to the poor preservation of their skeletal remains. Genetic sex was determined with the amplification of sex-specific X, Y centromeric alphoid repeats and ZFX-ZYF gene regions of DNA, mostly extracted from teeth. Based on ZFX-ZYF gene regions, sex was successfully determined using the PCR-RFLP method. The amplification results of ZFX-ZYF gene regions were also tested by applying the PCR-RFLP method. The amplification of X, Y centromeric alphoid repeats was successful in 29 individuals, while sex determination based on ZFX-ZFY fragments was carried out in 22 individuals. The vast majority of the results determined by analysis of ancient DNA were consistent with the morphological method. However, these 2 methods produced slightly different results for 5 individuals. Finally, the results indicated that ancient DNA analysis is a reliable method for sex determination, especially in poorly preserved and fragmented skeletal remains., Research Council of Cumhuriyet University (CUBAP), Sivas, Turkey [F-251], We would like to thank Professor Engin Ozgen, the head of the Oylum Hoyuk excavation, and Associate Professor Atilla Engin for the permit to study these skeletons. We would also like to thank Sibel Kizildag and Hasret Ozturk for their great contributions to our laboratory studies. This study has been supported by the Research Council of Cumhuriyet University (CUBAP, Project No: F-251), Sivas, Turkey.

WOS: 000284434800021, PubMed ID: 20674764, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever The clinical course and outcome of the CCHF infection are different in humans Toll like receptors (TLRs) are a family of pathogen recognition receptors TLR8 and TLR9 contribute to the recognition of viruses We investigated frequency of TLR8 Met1 Val TLR8 -129C/G TLR9 -1486T/C and TLR9 2458G/A polymorphisms in CCHF patients and healthy controls Our study was conducted between June 1 and August 31 2007 in Cumhuriyet University Hospital, Turkey TLR genotypes were detected using the PCR-RFLP assay in 85 CCHF patients and 171 healthy controls We found that heterozygous plus homozygous mutant genotypes frequency for TLR8 Met1 Val and for TLR9 -1486T/C were significantly higher in CCHF patients than controls (p = 0 038 and p = 0 009, respectively) The frequency of TLR8 -129G/G genotype in the fatal CCHF patients was significantly higher than that of the non-fatal patients (p = 0 026) The frequency of TLR9 -1486C/C genotype was significantly higher in fatal CCHF patients than in healthy controls (p = 0 009) and in patients with severe disease compared to non severe disease (p = 0 044) Our findings suggest that TLR8 Met1 Val TLR8 -129C/G and TLR9 -1486T/C polymorphisms are important on clinical course of CCHF disease (C) 2010 Institut Pasteur Published by Elsevier Masson SAS All rights reserved, Research Council of Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey [T-415], We thank Refik Saydam Hygiene Center of Ankara, Turkey for testing the serum samples and our colleagues from the Turkish Ministry of Health for their contributions We also thank Melih Akyol and Ali Cetin for suggestions in reviewing the manuscript This work was supported financially by the Research Council of Cumhuriyet University (CUBAP Project No T-415), Sivas, Turkey

WOS: 000267149900006, PubMed ID: 19350537, Human sulfotransferase 1A1 (SULT1A1), the most expressed isoform of the phenol SULT1 subfamily, is an important member of sulfotransferase superfamily. A transition, G to A at position 638, in SULT1A1 gene, results in Arg(213)His change. This single nucleotide polymorphism reduces the activity and thermostability of SULT1A1 enzyme. Thus, in the present study the relationship between SULT1A1 Arg(213)His polymorphism and lung cancer was investigated. One hundred and six case and 271 control samples were studied using PCR-RFLP. There was no significant difference in genotype and allele distribution between lung cancer and control populations (p=0.07; p=0.06, respectively). Compared with the SULT1A1*1/SULT1A1*1 genotype the variant SULT1A1 genotype (SULT1A1*1/SULT1A1*2 or SULT1A1*2/SULT1A1*2) was associated with a significantly increased lung cancer risk in cases (p=0.027). In male populations, there was no significant difference between case and controls (p=0.313). In female populations, however, this difference was found to be significant (p=0.04). In smoker and non-smoker populations, no significant relationship was evident between lung cancer and control population (p=0.170, p=0.065, respectively). Statistical analyses of histological types of lung cancer in comparison with the control individuals indicated a significant difference between SULT1A1 Arg(213)His polymorphism and SCC (p=0.027) and other types of cancer, (p = 0.037), except SMCC (p = 0.854). Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Solis. Ltd.

WOS: 000250722100014, PubMed ID: 17605044, Purpose Sulfotransferase 1A1 is a member of sulfotransferase family that plays an important role in the biotransformation of numerous carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds through sulfation. The present study has investigated the association between SULT1A1 polymorphism and primary brain tumor incidence. Methods SULT1A1 genotypes were successfully detected using the PCR-RFLP assay in 60 primary brain tumor patients and 156 hospital-based healthy control individuals with no history of cancer or precancerous disorder. Results There was a significant difference in genotypes distribution (GG vs. GA + AA) between brain tumor patients (GG genotype frequency = 48.3%) and control population (GG genotype frequency = 65.4%; OR = 2.019, 95% CI = 1.103-3.695; P = 0.022). In order to determine the association between SULT1A1 polymorphism and specific types of brain tumors, the patients were classified according to the type of brain tumors they suffer from: glial and non-glial. Results of the statistical analyses of each group of patients in comparison with the control individuals showed a significant difference only between SULT1A1 polymorphism and non-glial brain tumors (OR = 2.615; 95% CI = 1.192 5.739; P = 0.014) but glial tumors (OR = 1.535; 95% CI = 0.688-3.425; P = 0.293). When non-glial tumors were classifed as meningiomal and others (pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma, acoustic neuroma and hemangioblastoma), statistical analysis showed that this significance is only due to the meningiomal tumors (OR = 3.238; CI = 1.205-8.704; P = 0.015). We also estimated a reduced risk of brain tumor in non-smokers (OR = 1.700; CI = 0.800-3.615) in comparison to smokers (OR = 2.773; CI = 0.993-7.749), but this was not statistically significant. Conclusion Our findings have suggested that there was a significant association between brain tumor and SULT1A1*2 2 allele (A allele that is also known as His allele) and this allele is an important risk factor in the development of meningiomal brain tumors.

WOS: 000222989100005, NAT1 is an intronless gene on chromosome 8p21.3 encoding a 290-amino-acid-long protein showing acetyltransferase activity. Some 26 alleles of NAT1 gene have been identified in human populations. In the present study we determined the distributions of NAT1 genotypes and alleles in a sample of 201 individuals from the Turkish population in Central Anatolia. The most frequent genotypes were NAT1*4/NAT1*4 (51.74%), NAT1*10/NAT1*4 (22-39%), NAT1*11/NAT1*4(7.46), NAT1*10/NAT1*10(3.98%). Frequencies of NAT1*3, *4(wild-type), *10 and *11 alleles were 3.73%, 69.6%,17.66% and 7.2%, respectively. The frequency of NAT1 *11 was the highest amongst the populations studied so far, the other allele frequencies being close to those described in Caucasian populations.