Time-Series Analysis of Photovoltaic Distributed Generation Impacts on a Local Distributed Network

Increasing penetration level of photovoltaic (PV) distributed generation (DG) into distribution networks will have many impacts on nominal circuit operating conditions including voltage quality and reverse power flow issues. In U.S. most studies on PVDG impacts on distribution networks are performed for west coast and central states. The objective of this paper is to study the impacts of PVDG integration on local distribution network based on real-world settings for network parameters and time-series analysis. PVDG penetration level is considered to find the hosting capacity of the network without having major issues in terms of voltage quality and reverse power flow. Time-series analyses show that distributed installation of PVDGs on commercial buses has the maximum network energy loss reduction and larger penetration ratios for them. Additionally, the penetration ratio thresholds for which there will be no power quality and reverse power flow issues and optimal allocation of PVDG and penetration levels are identified for different installation scenarios.Comment: To be published (Accepted) in: 12th IEEE PES PowerTech Conference, Manchester, UK, 201

Association of insertion/deletion mutations in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene and effectiveness of Glibenclamide therapy in Iranian type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an expanding global health problem, closely linked to the epidemic of obesity. The incidence of diabetes is increasing because of aging, changing ethnic mix of the population and worsening obesity. Glibenclamide is used for the treatment of patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Some patients respond well to this therapy while others need to use higher doses along with other medications. Since polymorphisms in ACE gene has been associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, in the present study we investigated the association of insertion/deletion mutations of this gene with the effectiveness of Glibenclamide in treating Iranian type 2 diabetic patients.   Methods and Results: In this experimental study, blood samples from type II diabetic patients were collected (n=99) and their genomic DNA was isolated. Specific primers for the detection of insertion/deletion mutation were used and polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were conducted using specific thermal cycles. The amplified DNA samples were detected by electrophoresis of these samples on a 0.7% agarose gel. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed using t-test and chi-square test. A total of 99 patients were enrolled to the study. The frequency distribution of DD, ID, and II polymorphisms were 72%, 20%, and 8%, respectively. There were no differences among genotypic groups (P = 0.146). In terms of cholesterol, there was a significant difference between DD and DI (P = 0.012). There was a significant difference between the two DD and II genotypes in terms of creatinine (P = 0.034)   Conclusions: Although the results of our study indicated no association of ACE I/D polymorphisms and Effectiveness of Glibenclamide therapy, DD genotype may play a role on effectiveness of Glibenclamide Therapy

Optimization of the expression of genes encoding poly (3-hydroxyalkanoate) synthase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PTCC 1310 in Escherichia coli

Introduction: Over the years, the use of plastics has complicated the problem of disposal of solid wastes. One strategy to reduce plastic waste is the use of biodegradable plastics. A group of these plastics are polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). To date more than 250 different microorganisms are known to synthesize and accumulate PHA. Most Pseudomonas strains are able to accumulate mcl-PHA. In previous studies, the phaC1 and phaC2 genes were identified in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.aeruginosa) PTCC 1310 and were cloned. The aim of this study was to express these genes and optimize the conditions for their expression.  Methods and Results: The inserts obtained from vectors pTZPHAC1 and pTZPHAC2 were subcloned into pET15b expression vector. After transformation of competent Escherichia coli (E.coli) BL21 (DE3) cells with recombinant plasmids, expression was induced using IPTG. By changing expression conditions such as IPTG concentration, time and temperature of incubation with IPTG, the expression conditions for these enzymes were optimized, and the obtained results were compared using proper statistical analysis. Conclusions: The PHA synthase genes were induced with IPTG and the expressed 62 kDa protein was observed and purified. By changing expression conditions, 1 mM IPTG, 37°C and a 2 hr incubation provided the highest level of protein production in E.coli cells. These results suggest that induction condition of PhaC genes can influence expression of PHA synthase enzymes

In silico designing and creation a new generation of reteplase with more fibrin specificity

Introduction: Reteplase is a fibrin-specific thrombolytic drug and non-glycosylated modified recombinant form of human tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). It is containing kringle-2 and serine protease domains but the epidermal growth factor and fibronectin finger domains are absent. The lack of finger domain in reteplase cause decrease fibrin specificity. Since the enhancing fibrin specificity is one of the aim for development new thrombolytic drug, due to decreasing side effect such as hemorrhage, also reteplase is non-glycosylated and can be produced in bacterial system at low cost, in this study a new generation of reteplase designed with more fibrin specificity.  Methods and Results: According to the sequence of protein drugswith more fibrin specificity, mutations in reteplase sequence consist of substitution mutation in Kringle 2 domains and adding sequence of mutated finger domain to reteplase sequence. 3D structure of this new reteplase was created by Modeller9.17 software and then simulated by Gromacs 5 software for 20 ns. Docking simulation was performed between new and wild reteplase with fibrin by HADDOCK server separately. The results showed that new reteplase has better interaction with fibrin compared with wild type (table1). Parameter Wild reteplase New  reteplase HADDOCK score* -35.8 +/- 8.3 -43.2 +/- 21.3             *More negative score is better score  Conclusions: In this study a new generation of reteplase with more fibrin specificity was designed in silico. Since the production of reteplase has low cost compared with tPA, improvement its structure to desirable features such as increasing fibrin specificity, can be a way to achieve a favorable thrombolytic drug

Prevalence of cervical ribs and elongated transverse processes in Kashmiri population

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of cervical ribs and elongated transverse process in the Kashmiri population.Methods: We reviewed 2000 chest x rays of adult patients which were done in a period of 4 months in the department of Radiology, Govt Medical College Hospital, Srinagar, J& K.Results: The diagnosis of cervical rib was made in a total of 50 radiographs with a prevalence of 2.67%. The prevalence of cervical rib was higher in females (3.1%) as compared to males (2.1%). A total of 67 cervical ribs were seen in 50 patients. Unilateral cervical rib was seen in 33(66.0%) patients, right sided in 20(40.0%) and left sided in 13(26.0%). Bilateral cervical ribs were seen in 17(34.0%) patients. Elongated transverse process was seen in 280 patients constituting a prevalence of 14.96%. The prevalence in females (17.95%) was higher than males (12.15%).Conclusions: Prevalence of cervical rib and C7 transversomegaly is high in Kashmiri population. Similar results have been noted in Saudi population. Thus it is concluded that in the populations with higher rates of consanguinity, there is high probability of occurrence of cervical ribs because of HOX gene mutations. There is need for many more well designed studies to prove this association. Keeping in mind the high prevalence of cervical rib, patients with unexplained cervical pain need to be evaluated for this entity.

Expression and activity evaluation of reteplase in Escherichia coli TOP10

   Reteplase is a part of tissue Plasminogen Activator (t-PA) used for theremoval of thrombi in blood vessels. In the present study we express the reteplase genein Escherichia coli TOP10 and then its thrombolytic activity was measured. The recombinant plasmid pBADgIIIA was transformed into the competent Escherichia coli TOP10and then transformed bacteria was seeded into bioreactor containing 1.5 L LB medium and induced by 0.02% L-Arabinoseat 37°C, pH 7, and 180 rpm until OD 600 of 0.6 was reached.Samples were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting andthe expression of reteplase was examined. Finally the activity of this recombinant protein was evaluated using Chromogenic Activity Assay Kit. The presence of reteplase in transformed Escherichia coli TOP10 wasexamined by western blotting which revealed that the target protein in form inclusion body was expressed as a unique band at39 and the refolded reteplase was 66KDa. The amount of protein produced was 90.5µg/mL and its activity was determined as 0.8 units. In this study, the expression of reteplase in Escherichia coli TOP10 wasscaled up under optimum condition. Furthermore we earned reteplase with partially suitable thrombolytic activity.

Emergency Presentation of Abdominal Pain with Unusual Etiology

Abdominal pain has vast differentials and routine etiologies are diagnosed easily. Difficulty arises with uncommon presentation. This is a case of 28 years old lady presenting to emergency department of Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi with worsening abdominal pain, vomiting and loose stools over 2 weeks. Routine examination and workup did not help to find any cause. Ultrasound abdomen suspected matted gut loops with enlarged lymph nodes. CECT abdomen confirmed a non-differentiating tissue collection in right iliac fossa. Later diagnosis of complicated gossybioma (retained gauze surrounded by fibrotic tissue with entero-enteric fistula and fecolith in appendix) was confirmed by laparoscopy that was surgically removed. Conclusion: Gossybioma is infrequent but avoidable complication that needs to be considered by surgeon meticulously especially by swab counting, avoiding staff change over during procedure and consideration in follow up visit