Low-dose aspirin promotes osteogenic differentiation and osteogenic activity in osteoporotic rats by regulating Opg/Rankl/Rank Axis

Purpose: To investigate the effect of low-dose aspirin (ASP) on osteogenic differentiation and osteogenic effects in osteoporotic rats, and the associated mechanism.Methods: The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group and 3 drug groups treated with graded doses of ASP i.e. 0.5, 1 and 2 mmol/L, with 4 wells in each group. The OPG, RANKL protein expression levels, OPG/RANKL ratio, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level, and ALP secretion at days 3, 5 and 7 were compared amongst the groups.Results: ALP secretion in BMSCs was markedly higher in the 1 mmol/L ASP group than in control (p < 0.05). The OPG protein concentration and OPG/RANKL ratio were markedly higher in ASP-treated BMSCs than in control, while RANKL protein expression level was significantly lower than that in control (p < 0.05). In BMSCs treated with ASP at doses of 0.5 and 2 mmol/L, OPG protein expression levels and ratio of OPG/RANKL were markedly lower than those in 1 mmol/L ASP group, while the mean level of RANKL protein expression was markedly higher than that in 1 mmol/L ASP group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Low-dose aspirin increases the expression of ALP, and promotes calcification which relates to upregulation of OPG and inhibition of the OPG/RANKL/RANK axis. This provides new leads for the development of new anti-osteoporosis drugs. Keywords: Aspirin, OPG, RANKL, RANK, Osteoporosi

Performance Analysis of Doubly Excited Brushless Generator with Outer Rotor for Wind Power Application

In this paper, a novel doubly excited brushless generator (DEBG) with outer radial laminated magnetic barrier rotor (RLMB-rotor) for wind power application was designed and analyzed. The DEBG has 10 rotor pole numbers with outer rotor. Its performance was investigated using the 2D transient finite element method. The magnetic fields, torque capability, end winding voltage characteristics, radial magnetic force and energy efficiency were analyzed. All studies in this paper show that the simplicity, reliability, high efficiency and low vibration and noise of the DEBG with outer rotor were attractive for variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) wind power generation system

miR‐155 promotes macrophage pyroptosis induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis through regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to detect pyroptosis in macrophages stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis and elucidate the mechanism by which P. gingivalis induces pyroptosis in macrophages.MethodsThe immortalized human monocyte cell line U937 was stimulated with P. gingivalis W83. Flow cytometry was carried out to detect pyroptosis in macrophages. The expression of miR‐155 was detected by real‐time PCR and inhibited using RNAi. Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 1, cleaved GSDMD, caspase (CAS)‐1, caspase‐11, apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein (ASC), and NOD‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) were detected by Western blotting, and IL‐1β and IL‐18 were detected by ELISA.ResultsThe rate of pyroptosis in macrophages and the expression of miR‐155 increased upon stimulation with P. gingivalis and pyroptosis rate decreased when miR‐155 was silenced. GSDMD‐NT, CAS‐11, CAS‐1, ASC, NLRP3, IL‐1β, and IL‐18 levels increased, but SOCS1 decreased in U937 cells after stimulated with P. gingivalis. These changes were weakened in P. gingivalis‐stimulated U937 macrophages transfected with lentiviruses carrying miR‐155 shRNA compared to those transfected with non‐targeting control sequence. However, there was no significant difference in ASC expression between P. gingivalis‐stimulated shCont and shMiR‐155 cells.ConclusionsPorphyromonas gingivalis promotes pyroptosis in macrophages during early infection. miR‐155 is involved in this process through regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152887/1/odi13198_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152887/2/odi13198.pd

Fast Repetition Rate Fluorometry (FRRF) Derived Phytoplankton Primary Productivity in the Bay of Bengal

The approach of fast repetition rate fluorometry (FRRF) requires a conversion factor (Φe : C/nPSII) to derive ecologically-relevant carbon uptake rates (PPz,t). However, the required Φe : C/nPSII is commonly measured by 14C assimilation and varies greatly across phytoplankton taxonomy and environmental conditions. Consequently, the use of FRRF to estimate gross primary productivity (GPz,t), alone or in combination with other approaches, has been restricted by both inherent conversion and procedural inconsistencies. Within this study, based on a hypothesis that the non-photochemical quenching (NPQNSV) can be used as a proxy for the variability and magnitude of Φe : C/nPSII, we thus proposed an independent field model coupling with the NPQNSV-based Φe : C/nPSII for FRRF-derived carbon, without the need for additional Φe : C/nPSII in the Bay of Bengal (BOB). Therewith, this robust algorithm was verified by the parallel measures of electron transport rates and 14C-uptake PPz,t. NPQNSV is theoretically caused by the effects of excess irradiance pressure, however, it showed a light and depth-independent response on large spatial scales of the BOB. Trends observed for the maximum quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm), the quantum efficiency of energy conversion (Fq′/Fm′) and the efficiency of charge separation (Fq′/Fv′) were similar and representative, which displayed a relative maximum at the subsurface and were collectively limited by excess irradiance. In particular, most observed values of Fv/Fm in the BOB were only about half of the values expected for nutrient replete phytoplankton. FRRF-based estimates of electron transport at PSII (ETRRCII) varied significantly, from 0.01 to 8.01 mol e− mol RCII−1 s−1, and showed profound responses to depth and irradiance across the BOB, but fitting with the logistic model. N, P, and irradiance are key environmental drivers in explaining the broad-scale variability of photosynthetic parameters. Furthermore, taxonomic shifts and physiological changes may be better predictors of photosynthetic parameters, and facilitate the selection of better adapted species to optimize photosynthetic efficiency under any particular set of ambient light condition

Simulation of field oriented control in induction motor drive system

Abstract In this paper, a 3-phas

Adaptive Neural Control of MIMO Nonstrict-Feedback Nonlinear Systems with Time Delay

In this paper, an adaptive neural output-feedback tracking controller is designed for a class of multiple-input and multiple-output nonstrict-feedback nonlinear systems with time delay. The system coefficient and uncertain functions of our considered systems are both unknown. By employing neural networks to approximate the unknown function entries, and constructing a new input-driven filter, a backstepping design method of tracking controller is developed for the systems under consideration. The proposed controller can guarantee that all the signals in the closed-loop systems are ultimately bounded, and the time-varying target signal can be tracked within a small error as well. The main contributions of this paper lie in that the systems under consideration are more general, and an effective design procedure of output-feedback controller is developed for the considered systems, which is more applicable in practice. Simulation results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm

Simulation of Field Oriented Control in Induction Motor Drive System

In this paper, a 3-phase induction motor model for simulation the field oriented control (FOC) system based on space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) is established in Ansoft/Simplorer software. The theory of field oriented control (FOC) and the principle of space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) were introduced. The simulation results are presented and analyzed. A Simulink simulation model of field oriented control system is presented as a comparison under the same conditions. The results indicated that the Simplorer model had quick response speed, small torque fluctuations and good performance both in steady and dynamic states. Furthermore, the Simplorer model can be coupled with the finite element model of the motor to achieve field-circuit coupling simulation of induction motor’s field oriented control system. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/telkomnika.v11i12.3674 

Screening for Action Tremor in Epidemiological Field Surveys: Assessing the Reliability of a Semi-Quantitative, Visual, Template-Based Scale for Rating Hand-Drawn Spirals

<div id="ojsAbstract"><p><strong>Background:</strong> Population-based epidemiological studies of essential and other tremors have need of a rapid yet accurate means to assess tremor, especially mild tremors. Handwriting is often affected by tremor, and a hand-drawn spiral can provide investigators with objective rather than self-reported data. We present a semi-quantitative, ordinal scale to rate hand-drawn spirals. The scale, which includes values for mild tremor, is accompanied by photographic examples of spirals of each rating, providing a visual template for guidance.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> This study, conducted within the framework of a population-based epidemiological study of 5,000 individuals aged 60 and older in Shanghai, asked enrollees to draw an Archimedes spiral with each hand. Spirals were rated using an ordinal scale (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3). Three raters rated an initial set of 548 spirals. Four raters rated a subsequent set of 200 spirals using a visual template for guidance.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> Initial agreement (548 spirals) was good (r values ranged from 0.49 to 0.62, all p&lt;0.001). Subsequent agreement (200 spirals and using visual template) improved (r values ranged from 0.67 to &ndash;0.91, all p&lt;0.001).</p> <p><strong>Discussion:</strong> This tool will be useful to researchers who are attempting to rapidly assess action tremor in their field surveys.</p></div