315 research outputs found
A Comprehensive Modeling and Simulation of Power Quality Disturbances Using MATLAB/SIMULINK
This book chapter presents a comprehensive set of MATLAB/Simulink models used to simulate various power quality disturbances. The models presented include distribution line fault, induction motor starting, and transformer energizing that are used to simulate various types of voltage sag event. Capacitor bank switching model used to simulate oscillatory transient event, lightning impulse model used to simulate impulsive transient event, nonlinear load models used to simulate triplen harmonic and voltage notching disturbances generated from the load side, and lastly electric arc furnace model used to simulate flicker disturbance are also presented. This chapter presents each power quality disturbance in MATLAB/Simulink model. The presented models are used to simulate various power quality disturbances and waveforms for power quality analysis research as well as contribute to the development of power quality education and learning curriculum
Carfilzomib promotes the unfolded protein response and apoptosis in cetuximab-resistant colorectal cancer
Cetuximab is a common treatment option for patients with wild-type K-Ras colorectal carcinoma. However, patients often display intrinsic resistance or acquire resistance to cetuximab following treatment. Here we generate two human CRC cells with acquired resistance to cetuximab that are derived from cetuximab-sensitive parental cell lines. These cetuximab-resistant cells display greater in vitro proliferation, colony formation and migration, and in vivo tumour growth compared with their parental counterparts. To evaluate potential alternative therapeutics to cetuximab-acquired-resistant cells, we tested the efficacy of 38 current FDA-approved agents against our cetuximab-acquired-resistant clones. We identified carfilzomib, a selective proteosome inhibitor to be most effective against our cell lines. Carfilzomib displayed potent antiproliferative effects, induced the unfolded protein response as determined by enhanced CHOP expression and ATF6 activity, and enhanced apoptosis as determined by enhanced caspase-3/7 activity. Overall, our results indicate a potentially novel indication for carfilzomib: that of a potential alternative agent to treat cetuximab-resistant colorectal cancer. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Rodney Luwor” is provided in this record*
Blood Transfusion Requirement and not Preoperative Anaemia is associated with Perioperative Complications following Intracorporeal Robotic Assisted Radical Cystectomy
OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of preoperative anaemia and the impact of preoperative anaemia and blood transfusion requirement on 30- and 90-day complications in a cohort of patients undergoing robotic assisted radical cystectomy with intracorporeal urinary diversion (iRARC). PATIENTS & METHODS: IRARC was performed on 166 patients between June 2011-March 2016. Prospective data was collected for patient demographics, clinical and pathological characteristics, perioperative variables, transfusion requirements and hospital length of stay. Thirty- and 90-day complications were classified according to the modified Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Clavian-Dindo system. RESULTS: Preoperative anaemia was common (43.4%) and greatest in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (48.6%) (p<0.001). Patients with preoperative anaemia were significantly more likely to have an Ileal conduit (p=0.033), higher cystectomy stage (≥pT3) (p=0.028) and a lower lymph node yield (p=0.031). Preoperative anaemia was not associated with increased perioperative morbidity but was associated with the need for blood transfusion (p=0.001). Blood transfusion was required in 20.4% of patients with intraoperative and postoperative blood transfusion rate was 10.2% and 13.9% respectively. The 30-day all complication rate and 30-day major complication rate was 55.4% and 15.7% respectively while 90-day all complication rate and 90-day major complication rate were 65.7% and 19.3% respectively. Intraoperative blood transfusion was not associated with increased complications but postoperative blood transfusion requirement was independently associated with perioperative morbidity: all 30 day complications (p=0.003), all 90-day complications (p=0.009) and 90-day major complications (p=0.004). CONCLUSION: The presence of preoperative anaemia in patients undergoing iRARC is not associated with increased surgical risk although preoperative anaemic patients were significantly more likely to require blood transfusion. Blood transfusion requirement and specifically postoperative blood transfusion is independently associated with perioperative morbidity and is an important factor for the optimisation of postoperative outcomes
A Comprehensive Review on Recent Developments of LED Drivers
Background: In these recent years, LED lighting has been widely implemented for household and industrial applications. By implementing the correct topology, the performance of a LED driver can be improved in terms of efficiency, power factor, lifespan, size and cost of development. Objective: This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review on the latest trends of LED driver design to serve as a useful guide for design engineers and researchers. Result: Latest research journals and conference proceedings have been reviewed. Conclusion: There are suitable converter topologies for LED drivers of varied power levels, with the flyback converter being the most suitable for applications of less than 100W. When designing the LED driver, considerations must be made on the power factor, efficiency, dimming capability, and lifespan
The regulation of miRNAs by reconstituted high-density lipoproteins in diabetes-impaired angiogenesis
Diabetic vascular complications are associated with impaired ischaemia-driven angiogenesis. We recently found that reconstituted high-density lipoproteins (rHDL) rescue diabetes-impaired angiogenesis. microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate angiogenesis and are transported within HDL to sites of injury/repair. The role of miRNAs in the rescue of diabetes-impaired angiogenesis by rHDL is unknown. Using a miRNA array, we found that rHDL inhibits hsa-miR-181c-5p expression in vitro and using a hsa-miR-181c-5p mimic and antimiR identify a novel anti-angiogenic role for miR-181c-5p. miRNA expression was tracked over time post-hindlimb ischaemic induction in diabetic mice. Early post-ischaemia when angiogenesis is important, rHDL suppressed hindlimb mmu-miR-181c-5p. mmu-miR-181c-5p was not detected in the plasma or within HDL, suggesting rHDL specifically targets mmu-miR-181c-5p at the ischaemic site. Three known angiogenic miRNAs (mmu-miR-223-3p, mmu-miR-27b-3p, mmu-miR-92a-3p) were elevated in the HDL fraction of diabetic rHDL-infused mice early post-ischaemia. This was accompanied by a decrease in plasma levels. Only mmu-miR-223-3p levels were elevated in the hindlimb 3 days post-ischaemia, indicating that rHDL regulates mmu-miR-223-3p in a time-dependent and site-specific manner. The early regulation of miRNAs, particularly miR-181c-5p, may underpin the rescue of diabetes-impaired angiogenesis by rHDL and has implications for the treatment of diabetes-related vascular complications
Recommended from our members
Pore-forming activity of S. pneumoniae pneumolysin disrupts the paracellular localization of the epithelial adherens junction protein E-cadherin
Streptococcus pneumoniae, a common cause of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, can cross the respiratory epithelial barrier to cause lethal septicemia and meningitis. S. pneumoniae pore-forming toxin pneumolysin (PLY) triggers robust neutrophil (PMN) infiltration that promotes bacterial transepithelial migration in vitro and disseminated disease in mice. Apical infection of polarized respiratory epithelial monolayers by S. pneumoniae at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 20 resulted in recruitment of PMNs, loss of 50% of the monolayer, and PMN-dependent bacterial translocation. Reducing the MOI to 2 decreased PMN recruitment two-fold and preserved the monolayer, but apical-to-basolateral translocation of S. pneumoniae remained relatively efficient. At both MOI of 2 and 20, PLY was required for maximal PMN recruitment and bacterial translocation. Co-infection by wild-type S. pneumoniae restored translocation by a PLY-deficient mutant, indicating that PLY can act in trans. Investigating the contribution of S. pneumoniae infection on apical junction complexes in the absence of PMN transmigration, we found that S. pneumoniae infection triggered the cleavage and mislocalization of the adherens junction (AJ) protein E-cadherin. This disruption was PLY-dependent at MOI of 2 and was recapitulated by purified PLY, requiring its pore-forming activity. In contrast, at MOI of 20, E-cadherin disruption was independent of PLY, indicating that S. pneumoniae encodes multiple means to disrupt epithelial integrity. This disruption was insufficient to promote bacterial translocation in the absence of PMNs. Thus, S. pneumoniae triggers cleavage and mislocalization of E-cadherin through PLY-dependent and -independent mechanisms, but maximal bacterial translocation across epithelial monolayers requires PLY-dependent neutrophil transmigration
Complete Genome Sequences of Mycobacterium smegmatis Phages Chewbacca, Reptar3000, and Riparian, Isolated in Las Vegas, Nevada
Here, we present the complete genome sequences of Mycobacterium smegmatis phages Chewbacca, Reptar3000, and Riparian, isolated from soil in Las Vegas, NV. The phages were isolated and annotated by undergraduate students enrolled in the Phage Discovery course offered by the School of Life Sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vega
Can renal and bladder ultrasound replace CT urogram in patients investigated for microscopic hematuria?
PURPOSE: Computed tomography urogram (CTU) is recommended when investigating patients with hematuria. We determine the incidence of urinary tract cancer and compare the diagnostic accuracy of CTU and renal and bladder ultrasound (RBUS) at identifying urinary tract cancer. METHODS: The DETECT I study (clinicaltrials.gov NCT02676180) is a prospective observational study recruiting patients ≥18 years following a presentation of macroscopic or microscopic haematuria at 40 hospitals. All patients had cystoscopy and upper tract imaging (CTU, RBUS or both). RESULTS: 3,556 patients with a median age of 68 years were recruited, of which 2166 had RBUS and 1692 had CTU in addition to cystoscopy. The incidence of bladder, renal and upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) were 11.0%, 1.4% and 0.8% respectively in macroscopic hematuria patients. Patients with microscopic hematuria had a 2.7%, 0.4% and 0% incidence of bladder, renal and UTUC respectively. The sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of RBUS for the detection of renal cancer was 85.7% and 99.9% respectively but 14.3% and 99.7% for the detection of UTUC. RBUS was poor at identifying renal calculi. Sensitivity of RBUS was lower than CTU for the detection of bladder cancer (both <85%). Cystoscopy has a specificity and PPV of 98.3% and 83.9% respectively. CONCLUSION: CTU can be safely replaced with RBUS in patients with microscopic hematuria. The incidence of UTUC is 0.8% in patients with macroscopic hematuria and CTU is recommended. Patients with suspected renal calculi will require non-contrast renal tract CT. Imaging cannot replace cystoscopy to diagnose bladder cancer
Thirty- and ninety-day outcomes after sublobar resection with and without brachytherapy for non–small cell lung cancer: Results from a multicenter phase III study
ObjectiveSublobar resection (SR) is commonly used for patients considered high risk for lobectomy. Nonoperative therapies are increasingly being reported for patients with similar risk because of perceived lower morbidity. We report 30- and 90-day adverse events (AEs) from American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z4032, a multicenter phase III study for high-risk patients with stage I non–small cell lung cancer.MethodsData from 222 evaluable patients randomized to SR (n = 114) or SR with brachytherapy (n = 108) are reported. AEs were recorded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, Version 3.0, at 30 and 90 days after surgery. Risk factors (age, percent baseline carbon monoxide diffusion in the lung [DLCO%], percent forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1%], upper lobe vs lower lobe resections, performance status, surgery approach, video-assisted thoracic surgery vs open and extent, and wedge vs segmentectomy) were analyzed using a multivariable logistic model for their impact on the incidence of grade 3 or higher (G3+) AEs. Respiratory AEs were also specifically analyzed.ResultsMedian age, FEV1%, and DLCO% were similar in the 2 treatment groups. There was no difference in the location of resection (upper vs lower lobe) or the use of segmental or wedge resections. There were no differences between the groups with respect to “respiratory” G3+ AEs (30 days: 14.9% vs 19.4%, P = .35; 0–90 days: 19.3% vs 25%, P = .31) and “any” G3+ AEs (30 days: 25.4% vs 30.6%, P = .37; 0–90 days: 29.8% vs 37%, P = .25). Further analysis combined the 2 groups. Mortality occurred in 3 patients (1.4%) by 30 days and in 6 patients (2.7%) by 90 days. Four of the 6 deaths were thought to be due to surgery. When considered as continuous variables, FEV1% was associated with “any” G3+ AE at days 0 to 30 (P = .03; odds ratio [OR] = 0.98) and days 0 to 90 (P = .05; OR = 0.98), and DLCO% was associated with “respiratory” G3+ AE at days 0 to 30 (P = .03; OR = 0.97) and days 0 to 90 (P = .05; OR = 0.98). Segmental resection was associated with a higher incidence of any G3+ AE compared with wedge resection at days 0 to 30 (40.3% vs 22.7%; OR = 2.56; P < .01) and days 0 to 90 (41.5% vs 29.7%; OR = 1.96; P = .04). The median FEV1% was 50%, and the median DLCO% was 46%. By using these median values as potential cutpoints, only a DLCO% of less than 46% was significantly associated with an increased risk of “respiratory” and “any” G3+ AE for days 0 to 30 and 0 to 90.ConclusionsIn a multicenter setting, SR with brachytherapy was not associated with increased morbidity compared with SR alone. SR/SR with brachytherapy can be performed safely in high-risk patients with non–small cell lung cancer with low 30- and 90-day mortality and acceptable morbidity. Segmental resection was associated with increased “any” G3+ AE, and DLCO% less than 46% was associated with “any” G3+ AE and “respiratory” G3+ AE at both 30 and 90 days
- …