Development of a laboratory model of SSSC using RTAI on Linux platform

This paper presents the implementation of Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC) controller on Real Time Application Interface (RTAI) for Linux Operating System (OS). RTAI provides real-time capability to Linux General Purpose Operating System (GPOS) over and above the capabilities of non real-time Linux environment, e.g. access to TCP/IP, graphical display and windowing systems, file and database systems. Both Type II controllers, DC voltage and current scheduling controllers, are implemented in RTAI. To create a user friendly environment, Graphical User Interface (GUI) is developed in Linux OS in user space (non real-time) using a software available from Quasar Technologies (Qt). The controller is tested on a small scale laboratory model of a Voltage Source Converter (VSC) connected in series with a transmission line. The real time controller performs well in both inductive and capacitive regions

Oxygen releasing and antioxidant breathing cardiac patch delivering exosomes promotes heart repair after myocardial infarction

Constant oxygen supply is inevitable for cardiac tissue function and survival. Myocardial infarction (MI) leaves heart tissue in a state of oxygen deficiency, causing oxidative stress and irreversible death of cardiomyocytes. Although vital in treating MI, restoration of oxygen supply and attenuation of oxidative stress has not been successfully utilized as a therapeutic strategy. Herein, we developed and evaluated an oxygen releasing antioxidant nanofibrous bi-layered cardiac patch (PUAO-CPO-Collagen) supplemented with adipose derived stem cell exosomes (ADSC-EXO) to promote heart repair. Antioxidant polyurethane was synthesised and calcium peroxide (CPO) was incorporated as an oxygen releasing material. The bilayered cardiac patch consists of an oxygen releasing antioxidant polyurethane, electrospun over a porous collagen scaffold and supplemented with adipose derived stem cell exosomes. The patch demonstrated sustained release of oxygen and exosomes. Under in-vitro conditions, bilayered patch and ADSC exosomes illustrated proliferative, pro-angiogenic and pro-survival effect. In an in-vivo rat MI model, the bi-layered patch demonstrated enhanced cardiac function, reduced scar formation, significantly attenuating adverse cardiac remodelling through improved angiogenesis and decreased oxidative stress. Our study demonstrated an innovative and promising cell free biomaterial approach for delivering oxygen, promoting angiogenesis, and attenuating oxidative stress for enhanced heart regeneration after myocardial infarction

Beneficial Effect of Ocimum sanctum (Linn) against Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats

Background: The study was designed to explore any beneficial effect of Ocimum sanctum (Linn) (OS) in experimental pulmonary hypertension (PH) in rats. OS is commonly known as “holy basil” and “Tulsi” and is used in the Indian System of Medicine as antidiabetic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, adaptogenic, and cardioprotective. Methods: Monocrotaline (MCT) administration caused development of PH in rats after 28 days and rats were observed for 42 days. Treatments (sildenafil; 175 µg/kg, OS; 200 mg/kg) were started from day 29 after the development of PH and continued for 14 days. Parameters to assess the disease development and effectiveness of interventions were echocardiography, right and left ventricular systolic pressures, and right ventricular end diastolic pressure, percentage medial wall thickness (%MWT) of pulmonary artery, oxidative stress markers in lung tissue, NADPH oxidase (Nox-1) protein expression in lung, and mRNA expression of Bcl2 and Bax in right ventricular tissue. Results: OS (200 mg/kg) treatment ameliorated increased lung weight to body weight ratio, right ventricular hypertrophy, increased RVSP, and RVoTD/AoD ratio. Moreover, OS treatment decreases Nox-1 expression and increases expression of Bcl2/Bax ratio caused by MCT. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that OS has therapeutic ability against MCT-induced PH in rat which are attributed to its antioxidant effect. The effect of OS was comparable with sildenafil

Staphylococcus aureus Panton-Valentine Leukocidin worsens acute implant-associated osteomyelitis in humanized BRGSF mice

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen that causes implant-associated osteomyelitis, a clinically incurable disease. Immune evasion of S. aureus relies on various mechanisms to survive within the bone niche, including the secretion of leukotoxins such as Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL). PVL is a pore-forming toxin exhibiting selective human tropism for C5a receptors (C5aR1 and C5aR2) and CD45 on neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages. PVL is an important virulence determinant in lung, skin and soft tissue infections. The involvement of PVL in S. aureus pathogenesis during bone infections has not been studied extensively yet. To investigate this, humanized BALB/c Rag2−/−Il2rg−/−SirpaNODFlk2−/− (huBRGSF) mice were subjected to transtibial implant-associated osteomyelitis with community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) USA300 wild type strain (WT), an isogenic mutant lacking lukF/S-PV (Δpvl), or complemented mutant (Δpvl+pvl). Three days post-surgery, Δpvl-infected huBRGSF mice had a less severe infection compared to WT-infected animals as characterized by 1) improved clinical outcomes, 2) lower ex vivo bacterial bone burden, 3) absence of staphylococcal abscess communities (SACs) in their bone marrow, and 4) compromised MRSA dissemination to internal organs (liver, kidney, spleen, heart). Interestingly, Δpvl-infected huBRGSF mice had fewer human myeloid cells, neutrophils, and HLA-DR+ monocytes in the bone niche compared to WT-infected animals. Expectedly, a smaller fraction of human myeloid cells were apoptotic in the Δpvl-infected huBRGSF animals. Taken together, our study highlights the pivotal role of PVL during acute implant-associated osteomyelitis in humanized mice