Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha -308 G/A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Via Hepatitis B Infection

Azar, Saleh Shahbazi,Mansoori, Maryam,Attar, Marzieh,Shahbazi, Majid Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.7

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a key factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). About 350 million people are affected by chronic infection which is related to the rapid development of liver diseases as well as hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) in the liver demonstrates a major genetic polymorphism which is involved in resistance or susceptibility to chronic HBV infection. Materials and Methods: In this study, two populations were studied by the sequence specific primer-polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) method: HBV cases (n=409), who were HBS-Ag+, and healthy controls (n=483). Results: The results shown that the frequency of TNF-${\alpha}$ -308 G/G genotype in healthy controls (47.2%) was significantly higher than in HBV infected patients (28%) (CI = 1.29-2.61, OR = 1.83, P = 0.0004). Also TNF-${\alpha}$ -308 A/A and A/G genotype frequencies in the healthy controls were 4.6% and 48.2% and in patient group were 19.5% and 52.5% (CI = 2.23-7.12, p: 0.0001, OR: 3.94) respectively. Conclusions: We found that among Iranian people TNF-${\alpha}$ -308A allele not only has the highest genotype frequency but also it has the highest frequency in the world population. In addition, TNF-${\alpha}$-308 G/G polymorphism was associated with HBV resistance, whereas TNF-${\alpha}$-308A (A/A or A/G) polymorphism appeared to associated with chronic HBV infection. These data suggested that among the Iranian population, the -308 G/G polymorphism of TNF-${\alpha}$ gene promoter region has the potential to influence the susceptibility to HBV infection and it may be responsible for viral antigen clearance.

Improving the Product Recommendation System based-on Customer Interest for Online Shopping Using Deep Reinforcement Learning

Shahbazi, Zeinab,Byun, Yung-Cheol Institute of Information Science and Technology 2021 Soft computing and machine intelligence Vol.1 No.1

In recent years, due to COVID-19, the process of shopping has become more restricted and difficult for customers. Based on this aspect, customers are more interested in online shopping to keep the Untact rules and stay safe, similarly ordering their product based on their need and interest with most straightforward and fastest ways. In this paper, the reinforcement learning technique is applied in the product recommendation system to improve the recommendation system quality for better and more related suggestions based on click patterns and users' profile information. The dataset used in this system was taken from an online shopping mall in Jeju island, South Korea. We have compared the proposed method with the recent state-of-the-art and research results, which show that reinforcement learning effectiveness is higher than other approaches.

Effect of Alternaria solani Exudates on Resistant and Susceptible Potato Cultivars from Two Different pathogen isolates

Shahbazi, Hadis,Aminian, Heshmatollah,Sahebani, Navazollah,Halterman, Dennis The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2011 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.27 No.1

Early blight of potato, caused by Alternaria solani, is a ubiquitous disease in many countries around the world. Our previous screening of several Iranian potato cultivars found that significant variation in resistance phenotypes exists between two cultivars: resistant 'Diamond' and susceptible 'Granula'. Our previous analysis of five different pathogen isolates also identified varying degrees of aggressiveness regardless of the host cultivar. Here, a bioassay was used to study the role of liquid culture exudates produced in vitro on pathogenicity and elicitation of disease symptomology in seedlings as well as detached leaves. Responses of host genotypes to the exudates of the two A. solani isolates were significantly different. Detached leaves of the resistant cultivar 'Diamond' elicited fewer symptoms to each isolate when compared to the susceptible cultivar 'Granula'. Interestingly, the phytotoxicity effect of the culture filtrate from the more aggressive isolate A was higher than from isolate N suggesting an increased concentration or strength of the toxins produced. Our results are significant because they indicate a correlation between symptoms elicited by A. solani phytotoxins and their aggressiveness on the host.

Predicting the buckling load of smart multilayer columns using soft computing tools

Shahbazi, Yaser,Delavari, Ehsan,Chenaghlou, Mohammad Reza Techno-Press 2014 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.13 No.1

This paper presents the elastic buckling of smart lightweight column structures integrated with a pair of surface piezoelectric layers using artificial intelligence. The finite element modeling of Smart lightweight columns is found using $ANSYS^{(R)}$ software. Then, the first buckling load of the structure is calculated using eigenvalue buckling analysis. To determine the accuracy of the present finite element analysis, a compression study is carried out with literature. Later, parametric studies for length variations, width, and thickness of the elastic core and of the piezoelectric outer layers are performed and the associated buckling load data sets for artificial intelligence are gathered. Finally, the application of soft computing-based methods including artificial neural network (ANN), fuzzy inference system (FIS), and adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) were carried out. A comparative study is then made between the mentioned soft computing methods and the performance of the models is evaluated using statistic measurements. The comparison of the results reveal that, the ANFIS model with Gaussian membership function provides high accuracy on the prediction of the buckling load in smart lightweight columns, providing better predictions compared to other methods. However, the results obtained from the ANN model using the feed-forward algorithm are also accurate and reliable.

The first review study on association of DNA methylation with gastric cancer in Iranian population

Shahbazi, Mahsa,Yari, Kheirollah,Rezania, Niloufar Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.5

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Several environmental, genetic and epigenetic factors have been suggested to have a role in GC development. Epigenetic mechanisms like histone changes and promoter hyper-methylation are now being increasingly studied. Associations between methylation of many gene promoters with the risk of gastric cancer have been investigated worldwide. Such aberrant methylation may result in silencing of specific genes related to cell cycling, cell adhesion, apoptosis and DNA repair. Thus this molecular mechanism might have a key role in proliferation and migration of cancerous cells. Materials and Methods: In this review article we included studies conducted on DNA methylation and gastric cancer in Iranian populations. Using Science direct, Pubmed/PMC, Springer, Wiley online library and SciELO databases, all published data until 31 January 2016 were gathered. We also searched Science direct data base for similar investigations around the world to make a comparison between Iran and other countries. Results: By searching these databases, we found that the association between methylation of seven gene promoters and gastric cancer had been studied in Iran until 31 January 2016. These genes were p16, hLMH1, E-cadherin, CTLA4, $THR{\beta}$, mir9 and APC. Searching in science direct database also showed that 92 articles had been published around the world till January 2016. Our investigation revealed that despite the importance of GC and its high prevalence in Iran, the methylation status of only a few gene promoters has been studied so far. More studies with higher sample numbers are needed to reveal the relation of methylation status of gene promoters to gastric cancer in Iran. Conclusions: Further studies will be helpful in identifying associations of DNA methylation in candidate genes with gastric cancer risk in Iranian populations.

Seismic Response of Steel SMFs Subjected to Vertical Components of Far- and Near-Field Earthquakes with Forward Directivity Effects

Shahbazi, Shahrokh,Mansouri, Iman,Hu, Jong Wan,Sam Daliri, Noura,Karami, Armin Hindawi Limited 2019 Advances in civil engineering Vol.2019 No.-

<P>In the near-field earthquake, forward directivity effects cause long-period pulse with a short effective time and a large domain in the velocity time history. This issue increases the ductility needs of structures, and in recent decades, the destructive effects of these kinds of records have been evaluated in comparison with far-field earthquakes. This brings about the necessity to compare a structure’s behavior subjected to vertical components of near-field (NF) earthquakes, including forward directivity effects vs. the effects of vertical components of far-field (FF) earthquakes. The present study investigated 3-, 5-, 8-, and 20-story steel moment frames with special ductility (SMF) through which modeling effects of panel zone have been applied, subjected to vertical component of near-field (NF) earthquakes with forward directivity and the vertical component of far-field earthquakes. By investigating the results, it can be clearly seen that the average values of the maximum displacement, shear force of the stories, and the velocity of each story under the impact of the near-field earthquake are greater than the amount of that under the effect of a far-field earthquake. However, this comparison is not valid for the amount of acceleration, axial force, and moments in the columns of the structures accurately.</P>

The Effect of Variation of Stories’ Plan Size along Height of Relatively Tall Steel Buildings on Their Seismic Behavior

Shahbazi Fatemeh,Hosseini Mahmood 한국강구조학회 2024 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.24 No.1

In urban environments, in many cases, buildings with unequal story plan sizes are desired, resulting in non-uniform mass/ stiff ness distributions along the buildings’ height. In this study, three groups of 12-story steel buildings with uniform, ascending, and descending story plan size distribution (PSD) along their height, but having the same total architectural space, were investigated to determine how this distribution aff ects their seismic performance. First, three site conditions—stiff , medium, and soft—were considered, and all buildings were designed by considering moment frames with concentrical bracings as their lateral load-bearing systems. Then, for each site class, seven appropriate sets of accelerograms were selected, and using nonlinear time history analyses, the buildings’ seismic performance levels were compared based on the formation of plastic hinges (PHs). Results show that non-uniform PSD can be quite eff ective on the seismic performance of buildings’ structures, so that on hard and soft sites, the number of PHs exceeding the collapse prevention performance level in buildings with ascending and descending PSD, respectively, decreases by approximately 30–45% and 20–40% compared with the uniform buildings. Therefore, it is explicitly concluded that employing buildings with uniform plan sizes does not necessarily lead to a higher seismic performance level.

Effect of Soil Classification on Seismic Behavior of SMFs considering Soil-Structure Interaction and Near-Field Earthquakes

Shahbazi, Shahrokh,Mansouri, Iman,Hu, Jong Wan,Karami, Armin WILEY-INTERSCIENCE 2018 SHOCK AND VIBRATION Vol.2018 No.-

<P>Seismic response of a structure is affected by its dynamic properties and soil flexibility does not have an impact on it when the bottom soil of foundation is supposedly frigid, and the soil flexibility is also ignored. Hence, utilizing the results obtained through fixed-base buildings can lead to having an insecure design. Being close to the source of an earthquake production causes the majority of earthquake’s energy to reach the structure as a long-period pulse. Therefore, near-field earthquakes produce many seismic needs so that they force the structure to dissipate output energy by relatively large displacements. Hence, in this paper, the seismic response of 5- and 8-story steel buildings equipped with special moment frames (SMFs) which have been designed based on type-II and III soils (according to the seismic code of Iran-Standard 2800) has been studied. The effects of soil-structure interaction and modeling of the panel zone were considered in all of the two structures. In order to model radiation damping and prevent the reflection of outward propagating dilatational and shear waves back into the model, the vertical and horizontal Lysmer-Kuhlemeyer dashpots as seen in the figures are adopted in the free-field boundary of soil. The selected near- and far-field records were used in the nonlinear time-history analysis, and structure response was compared in both states. The results obtained from the analysis showed that the values for the shear force, displacement, column axial force, and column moment force on type-III soil are greater than the corresponding values on type-II soil; however, it cannot be discussed for drift in general.</P>

Relationship between Body Type Components and Age of Reaching to Peak Growth (High Peak Speed) in the Iranian Junior Taekwondo Team

( Mehdi Shahbazi ),( Seyed Fardin Qeysari ),( Majid Nayeri ),( Hadi Kashani ),( Sima Dastamooz ) 국제태권도학회 2017 International Symposium for Taekwondo Studies Vol.2017 No.-

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between body type components and age of peak growth (high peak speed) in the Iranian Junior Taekwondo national team. The peak height growth rate is an important variable for determining maturation in puberty that like other maturation factors is impacted by physical condition and human body type. Methods: Subjects were 1157 expert junior Taekwondo players (boys: n = 742, 10.59 ± 2 years, 145.09 ± 13.54 cm, 37.18 ± 11.06 kg; girls: n = 381, 11.18 ± 2.36 years, 147.92 ± 13.11 cm, 40.03 ± 13.31 kg). Somatotype data were calculated using Heath-Carter instruction, and PHV was measured using the Mirwald formula. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses. Results: Results of the Pearson correlation analysis in boys revealed that PHV had a positive correlation with ectomorph and negative correlation with endomorph and mesomorph. Total correlation between PHV and somatotype was 0.09, which explained the 0.081 of PHV variance. Results of the regression analysis showed ectomorph and endomorph were significant predictors (ectomorph more than endomorph) of PHV, but mesomorph was not a significant predictor of PHV in the girls group. Results showed that PHV and PWV had no significant relation with body composition. The regression model was: Y = 12.46-0.06a-0.04m-0.07e. Conclusions: These results indicate that endomorph and ectomorph had a significant role in predicting age of PHV, but mesomorph was not significant.

Ionospheric Responses to the Earthquake in the Gulf of Alaska the Kusatsu-Shiranesan Volcanic Eruption on 23 January 2018

Anahita Shahbazi,Jihye Park 사단법인 항법시스템학회 2022 Journal of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Vol.11 No.4

Numerous research revealed a strong association between the ionospheric perturbations and various natural hazards. The ionospheric measurements from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations provide the state of electron contents in the ionosphere that contributes to investigate the source events. In this study, two geophysical events occurred on 23 January 2018, the 7.9 Mw earthquake in Alaska and Kusatsu-Shiranesan volcanic eruption in Japan, are examined to characterize the fingerprint of each event in the ionosphere. Firstly, we extracted the Total Electron Content (TEC) from GNSS measurements, then isolated disturbed wave signatures from the TEC measurements that is referred to as a traveling ionospheric disturbance (TID). As TIDs are short-term ionospheric variations, the major trend of GNSS TEC measurements should be properly removed. We applied a natural neighbor interpolation method together with a leave-one-out cross validation technique for detrending. After detrending the TEC, the remaining signals are further enhanced by applying a band-pass filter and TIDs are detected from them. Finally, the detected TIDs are verified as the response of the ionosphere to Kusatsu-Shiranesan volcanic eruption and Gulf of Alaska earthquake which propagated through the ionosphere with an average velocity of 530 m/s and 724 m/s, respectively. In addition, a coherence analysis is conducted to discriminate between the signatures from a volcanic explosion and an earthquake. The analysis reveals the TID waveforms from each single event are highly correlated, while a low correlation is found between the TIDs from the earthquake and explosion. This study supports the claim that different geophysical events induce the distinctive characteristics of TIDs that are detectable by the ionospheric measurements of GNSS.