Characteristics of very fast transient currents in ultra high-voltage power system with hybrid reactive power compensation

Hybrid reactive power compensation (HRPC) consists of a stepped controlled shunt reactor (SCSR) and a series compensation (SC), which will find applications in future ultra high-voltage (UHV) power grids to resolve the problems due to the frequent change of reactive power and bulk power transmission. However, very fast transient currents (VFTCs) are inevitably generated during switching, which would lead to insulation breakdown. In the present work, we first develop the equivalent model for HRPC, following which we deduce the expression of VFTCs in the time domain by using an inverse Laplace transform. The analysis indicates that the amplitude and frequency of VFTCs are both affected by the capacitance of the SCSR and of the SC, as well as the line length, stray capacitance, etc. The oscillating frequency, peak, and amplitude of the main frequency of the VFTCs in the substation can be modified by adjusting the silicon-controlled rectifiers in the SCSR when the disconnecting switch in gas-insulated switchgear is switched on. When the disconnecting switch in the SC is switched on, the VFTC oscillation frequency in SCSR decreases with increasing stray capacitance of SC, but the frequency and peak of the VFTC remains quite large. Increasing the line length between the SC and the SCSR suppresses the VFTC in UHV power systems. These results lay the foundation for developing HRPC methods to suppress VFTCs in UHV substations

Identification and characterization of a 25-lncRNA prognostic signature for early recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background Early recurrence is the major cause of poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are deeply involved in HCC prognosis. In this study, we aimed to establish a prognostic lncRNA signature for HCC early recurrence. Methods The lncRNA expression profile and corresponding clinical data were retrieved from total 299 HCC patients in TCGA database. LncRNA candidates correlated to early recurrence were selected by differentially expressed gene (DEG), univariate Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analyses. A 25-lncRNA prognostic signature was constructed according to receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the performance of this signature. ROC and nomogram were used to evaluate the integrated models based on this signature with other independent clinical risk factors. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to reveal enriched gene sets in the high-risk group. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) levels were analyzed with single sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA). Immune therapy response prediction was performed with TIDE and SubMap. Chemotherapeutic response prediction was conducted by using Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) pharmacogenomics database. Results Compared to low-risk group, patients in high-risk group showed reduced disease-free survival (DFS) in the training (p < 0.0001) and validation cohort (p = 0.0132). The 25-lncRNA signature, AFP, TNM and vascular invasion could serve as independent risk factors for HCC early recurrence. Among them, the 25-lncRNA signature had the best predictive performance, and combination of those four risk factors further improves the prognostic potential. Moreover, GSEA showed significant enrichment of “E2F TARGETS”, “G2M CHECKPOINT”, “MYC TARGETS V1” and “DNA REPAIR” pathways in the high-risk group. In addition, increased TILs were observed in the low-risk group compared to the high-risk group. The 25-lncRNA signature negatively associates with the levels of some types of antitumor immune cells. Immunotherapies and chemotherapies prediction revealed differential responses to PD-1 inhibitor and several chemotherapeutic drugs in the low- and high-risk group. Conclusions Our study proposed a 25-lncRNA prognostic signature for predicting HCC early recurrence, which may guide postoperative treatment and recurrence surveillance in HCC patients

Amine-Mediated Transimination and Aromatization-Triggered Domino Reaction in the Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized 4‑Aminoquinolines

Dearomatization provides numerous possibilities for the development of new transformative modes of aromatic compounds. A conceptually novel metal-free multicomponent domino reaction of the dearomatized products of 2-alkynylanilines is developed. The reaction involves the secondary amine-mediated transimination with α-amino nitriles and subsequent aromatization-triggered cascade rearrangement, nucleophilic cyclization, and retro-Strecker reaction. This process provided a new practical method for the rapid synthesis of polyfunctionalized 4-aminoquinolines from readily available starting materials

Dearomatization-Induced Cycloaddition and Aromatization-Triggered Rearrangement: Synthesis of Vertically Expanded Five-Ring Fused Benzofurans

A dearomatization strategy has been developed for the efficient construction of vertically expanded five-ring fused benzofurans from <i>ortho</i>-alkynylphenols and <i>ortho</i>-alkynylarylaldimines. The stepwise procedure comprises a dearomatization-induced silver-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition followed by an aromatization-triggered ytterbium-catalyzed rearrangement

Microglial NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation and therapeutic strategies in depression

Previous studies have demonstrated a bidirectional relationship between inflammation and depression. Activation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat, and NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes is closely related to the pathogenesis of various neurological diseases. In patients with major depressive disorder, NLRP3 inflammasome levels are significantly elevated. Understanding the role that NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation plays in the pathogenesis of depression may be beneficial for future therapeutic strategies. In this review, we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms that lead to the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in depression as well as to provide insight into therapeutic strategies that target the NLRP3 inflammasome. Moreover, we outlined various therapeutic strategies that target the NLRP3 inflammasome, including NLRP3 inflammatory pathway inhibitors, natural compounds, and other therapeutic compounds that have been shown to be effective in treating depression. Additionally, we summarized the application of NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors in clinical trials related to depression. Currently, there is a scarcity of clinical trials dedicated to investigating the applications of NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors in depression treatment. The modulation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in microglia holds promise for the management of depression. Further investigations are necessary to ascertain the efficacy and safety of these therapeutic approaches as potential novel antidepressant treatments

Electroacupuncture Promotes Proliferation of Amplifying Neural Progenitors and Preserves Quiescent Neural Progenitors from Apoptosis to Alleviate Depressive-Like and Anxiety-Like Behaviours

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviours and neural progenitors in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) in a chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) rat model of depression. After being exposed to a CUS procedure for 2 weeks, rats were subjected to EA treatment, which was performed on acupoints Du-20 (Bai-Hui) and GB-34 (Yang-Ling-Quan), once every other day for 15 consecutive days (including 8 treatments), with each treatment lasting for 30 min. The behavioural tests (i.e., forced swimming test, elevated plus-maze test, and open-field entries test) revealed that EA alleviated the depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviours of the stressed rats. Immunohistochemical results showed that proliferative cells (BrdU-positive) in the EA group were significantly larger in number compared with the Model group. Further, the results showed that EA significantly promoted the proliferation of amplifying neural progenitors (ANPs) and simultaneously inhibited the apoptosis of quiescent neural progenitors (QNPs). In a word, the mechanism underlying the antidepressant-like effects of EA is associated with enhancement of ANPs proliferation and preserving QNPs from apoptosis

Chinese consumer preferences for organic labels on Oolong tea: evidence from a choice experiment

Repeated food scandals in China have prompted growing consumer consciousness on food safety and health. Organic food, considered to be of higher quality, is being increasingly demanded by Chinese consumers. This study examines preferences for organic labels to provide insight on the sustainable development of the Oolong tea industry. Research was conducted using the choice experiment (CE) method in Fujian and Guangdong Provinces. The results demonstrate that place of origin, organic label, and brand attributes are all significant factors affecting the purchase of Oolong. Also, people demonstrated significantly positive attitudes toward organic labels and preferred Oolong tea from Fujian Province to those from Guangdong Province and Taiwan. Increasing trust can enhance consumer preference and willingness to pay (WTP) for organic labels. Contrary to previous studies, people have a higher WTP for Chinese organic labels than Japanese and American ones. This is probably because respondents are more familiar with domestic Oolong tea and trust more in Chinese organic certification. This provides an opportunity for domestic producers to tailor their organic food labels and better satisfy consumer demands. These findings suggest that the Chinese government should take more responsibility for reducing food-related fraud and thus improve consumer trust regarding organic food

Activation of P2X7 receptor and NLRP3 inflammasome assembly in hippocampal glial cells mediates chronic stress-induced depressive-like behaviors

Abstract Background In recent years, proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was considered to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of depression. In addition, P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), a member of the purinergic receptor family, which is predominantly present on microglia, as well as on astrocytes and neurons in lesser amounts in the central nervous system, was suggested to be involved in the processing and releasing of IL-1β. Here, we investigated the role of P2X7R in the pathogenesis of depression. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to chronic unpredictable stressors (CUS) for 3 weeks. At the end of week 1, 2, and 3, extracellular ATP, caspase 1, IL-1β, and components and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome (nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat, pyrin domain containing 3) were evaluated as biomarker of neuroinflammation. In separate experiments, the rats were microinjected with P2X7R agonists ATP, BzATP, and saline into the hippocampus, respectively, or exposed to CUS combined with hippocampal microinjection with P2X7R antagonist, BBG and A438079, and saline, respectively, for 3 weeks, followed by exposed to forced swimming test and open-field test. Moreover, we also evaluated the depressive and anxiety-like behavior of P2X7-null mice in forced swimming test, open-field test, and elevated plus maze. Results Along with stress accumulation, extracellular ATP, cleaved-caspase 1, IL-1β, and ASC were significantly enhanced in the hippocampus, but P2X7R and NLRP3 were not. Immunoprecipitation assay indicated that along with the accumulation of stress, assembly of NLRP3 inflammasome and cleaved caspase 1 in NLRP3 inflammasome were significantly increased. Moreover, antagonists of P2X7R, either BBG or A438079, prevented the development of depressive-like behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable stress in rats. Meanwhile, we could not observe any depressive-like or anxiety-like behaviors of P2X7-null mice after they had been exposed to CUS. The results implied that P2X7 knockout could impede the development of depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviors induced by CUS. In contrast, chronic administration of agonists of P2X7R, either ATP or BzATP, could induce depressive-like behaviors. Conclusions The activation of P2X7R and subsequent NLRP3 inflammasome in hippocampal microglial cells could mediate depressive-like behaviors, which suggests a new therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of depression

Elevated microRNA-141-3p in placenta of non-diabetic macrosomia regulate trophoblast proliferationResearch in context

Background: Several studies have reported microRNAs (miRNAs) could regulate the placental development, though the role and mechanism of miRNAs in the development of non-diabetic macrosomia (NDFMS) remains unclear. Methods: To identify the aberrantly expressed key miRNAs in placenta of NDFMS, we employed a strategy consisting of initial screening with miRNA microarray and further validation with quantitative RT-PCR assay (qRT-PCR). In vitro cellular model and a mouse pregnancy model were used to delineate the functional effects of key miRNA on proliferation, invasion, and migration. Findings: miR-141-3p was identified as the key miRNA with expression level significantly higher in placentas of NDFMS compared with those from normal controls. Overexpressed miR-141-3p in HTR-8/SVneo cells contributed to increased cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. miR-141-3p inhibition in HTR-8/SVneo cells resulted in decreased cell proliferation and invasion. Significantly increased infant birth weight was observed in late pregnancy of C57BL/6J mice treated with miR-141-3p agomir. However, no significant difference was found in early pregnancy of C57BL/6J mice treated with miR-141-3p agomir. Interpretation: miR-141-3p could stimulate placental cell proliferation to participate in the occurrence and development of NDFMS. Keywords: Birth weight, Macrosomia, microRNAs, miR-141-3p, Placent